MAXIMUS, INC. (MMS) vs. FASTENAL CO (FAST) Stock Comparison & Valuation | Edwyn

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MAXIMUS, INC. (MMS) vs. FASTENAL CO (FAST) Stock Comparison & Valuation | Edwyn

Updated 2026-08-07 20:29 UTC

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MMS looks deeply overvalued versus FAST on every relative valuation anchor, while its operating profile is materially weaker despite solid but not exceptional quality scores.

Actionable Takeaway

If you believe MMS can close the large profitability and growth gap versus FAST, then hold or add on weakness only selectively because the current data show MMS already trades at a steep valuation discount and is near the middle of its historical range, making the upside case dependent on meaningful operational improvement rather than multiple expansion alone.

The stated P/E-based implied price of $262.05 versus MMS's current price of $59.19 implies a 342.7% upside, but this appears inconsistent with the broader FAST comparison because MMS trades at much lower multiples than FAST across P/E, P/S, EV/EBITDA, and EV/Revenue. On a relative basis, MMS is cheaper than FAST, so the large implied upside likely reflects the valuation methodology rather than the market's current pricing relationship.

Supporting Metrics

Key Risks

MMS margins are far below FAST, with operating margin at 9.7% versus 20.2% and net margin at 5.9% versus 15.3%.
MMS leverage is higher than FAST, with debt/equity at 0.8x and net debt/EBITDA at 1.6x.
The large FAST-implied price range of $289.80-$752.48 may overstate fair value if MMS cannot improve growth from 2.4% and ROIC from 19.1% to FAST-like levels.