did fastenal stock split 2025: key dates & impact

Overview

did fastenal stock split — short answer: yes. As of April 23, 2025, Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST) announced a two‑for‑one forward stock split to be effected by amending its Restated Articles of Incorporation and increasing the number of authorized common shares. This article explains the announcement and timeline, legal filings, how the split changes share counts and per‑share metrics, options and derivatives adjustments, market reaction, company rationale, historical split record and what shareholders should expect.

Background

Fastenal Company (ticker: FAST) is an industrial and construction supplies distributor listed on the Nasdaq. The company provides fasteners, tools, safety products, and related supply chain services to industrial customers across North America and globally. For readers searching “did fastenal stock split,” the context is corporate actions on a Nasdaq‑listed common stock rather than any alternative meanings.

Fastenal has a long history of stock splits. Prior to the 2025 action, Fastenal executed splits in 1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2019. The May 2025 split became the company’s ninth overall and its first split since 2019.

As of April 23, 2025, per the company press release, Fastenal’s board formally approved the 2‑for‑1 split and set the administrative timeline and corporate amendments needed to effect it.

2025 two‑for‑one stock split — announcement and timeline

did fastenal stock split? The company announced the plan on April 23, 2025. Key dates and steps announced by Fastenal and recorded in related filings were:

• Announcement date: April 23, 2025 (company press release). As of that date, the board approved the split proposal.
• SEC filing (Form 8‑K) reflecting board action and articles amendment: April 24, 2025.
• Record date: May 5, 2025 — shareholders of record as of this date were entitled to receive the additional shares from the forward split.
• Effective time / close of business for the corporate change: May 21, 2025, when the company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation amendment was made effective.
• Start of split‑adjusted trading (ex‑date): May 22, 2025 — trading on a split‑adjusted basis began on this date, and derivative contract adjustments became effective for exchange and OCC/clearing purposes.

As of April 24, 2025, the company confirmed that it had amended its Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized common shares, and that the split would be implemented by issuing one additional share for each share held on the record date.

Corporate filings and approvals

As of April 24, 2025, per Fastenal’s filed Form 8‑K, the board resolution to effect a two‑for‑one stock split was documented and the company disclosed specific corporate changes:

• The board approved the forward split and authorized an amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation.
• The number of authorized common shares was increased to 1,600,000,000 shares to accommodate the forward split and future corporate needs.
• The company disclosed that outstanding equity awards and shares available under equity compensation plans would be proportionally adjusted to reflect the split.

These details were disclosed in the 8‑K to ensure compliance with SEC reporting rules and to give shareholders formal notice of the corporate action and administrative mechanics.

Mechanics and legal/administrative effects

A two‑for‑one forward split is straightforward in mechanics but requires legal and administrative steps:

• Share issuance: Each shareholder of record received one additional common share for each share held on the record date. In effect, outstanding shares doubled.
• Par value and authorized shares: Par value per share typically remains unchanged, but Smart corporate housekeeping required Fastenal to amend its Restated Articles of Incorporation and increase the authorized shares to 1,600,000,000 as documented in the 8‑K filed April 24, 2025.
• Per‑share metrics: Per‑share figures such as earnings per share (EPS), book value per share and per‑share dividends are adjusted proportionally (EPS is halved, per‑share dividend is halved if maintained at the same total payout level). Aggregate company metrics—net income, equity and market capitalization—do not change as a direct result of the split.
• Equity compensation: The 8‑K disclosed proportional adjustments to outstanding equity awards and the number of shares available under compensation plans so that option and restricted stock award recipients are economically neutral post‑split.

These administrative mechanics are typical for forward splits: they increase the number of outstanding shares while leaving the company’s economic position unchanged.

Impact on options and other derivatives

did fastenal stock split — implications for options and derivatives were announced and coordinated with market infrastructure providers. As of April 30, 2025, per an OCC/MIAX memo, options contract adjustments were specified:

• Contract multiplier: Options contract multipliers for listed exchange options on FAST were adjusted to reflect the split. The standard multiplier for a 2‑for‑1 split becomes 200 shares per contract in some clearing/notice formats or is described alternatively as a contract multiplier of 2.00 relative to pre‑split terms depending on the clearing convention, with the practical effect that each original option reflected two result shares after the split.
• Strike price adjustments: All open option strike prices were divided by 2. For example, an option with a $100 strike prior to the split would have an adjusted strike of $50 after the split, preserving the aggregate exercise value.
• Option contract quantity: Each pre‑existing option contract continued to represent the economically equivalent position post‑split, with adjustments applied so holders’ economic exposure retained parity.

These adjustments became effective for trading and clearing as of the ex‑date (May 22, 2025). Market participants, brokerages and clearinghouses followed the OCC/MIAX guidance to adjust open positions, display quotes correctly and ensure orderly post‑split options trading.

Practical implication for option holders and market makers: exercise and assignment processes continued but with adjusted strike prices and contract multipliers. Option holders did not gain or lose intrinsic economic value solely due to the split; their positions were re‑denominated to preserve value.

Market reaction and trading performance

As a mechanical matter, a 2‑for‑1 forward split reduces the nominal per‑share price roughly by half while doubling the shares outstanding, leaving market capitalization broadly unchanged at the time of the split. Media coverage on May 22, 2025, noted that Fastenal’s trading opened on a split‑adjusted basis and intraday volatility was typical for such corporate actions.

As of May 22, 2025, market reporting indicated that trading moved to the split‑adjusted share count and price. Sources covering markets documented that while per‑share prices fell roughly in proportion to the ratio, market capitalization remained effectively the same immediately after the split. Short‑term trading volume can spike around ex‑date as index funds, ETFs, broker internal processes and retail orders are rebalanced; contemporaneous press coverage noted this typical pattern.

Specific day‑to‑day price moves and volumes are available in market data archives for the relevant dates; the corporate action itself does not create or destroy shareholder economic value on a market‑cap basis.

Rationale and company commentary

Companies most commonly cite the following reasons for forward stock splits:

• Improve share liquidity and trading affordability: reducing the nominal price per share can make the stock more accessible to smaller retail investors and can improve the stock’s trading liquidity.
• Maintain share‑price ranges attractive to investors: some boards view periodic splits as a way to keep the share price within a range that appeals to broader investor groups.
• Align share count with compensation and dividend policy: companies may also consider share structure for compensation plan planning.

As of April 23, 2025, Fastenal’s press release referenced similar themes: making the company’s shares more accessible and maintaining an appropriate trading range for shareholders and potential investors. The company also emphasized that the split did not change underlying business fundamentals and that aggregate shareholder ownership percentages and market value were unaffected by the split itself.

Effect on dividends, investor records and compensation

• Dividends: If the company maintains the same total dividend payout amount, the per‑share dividend is adjusted proportionally. For a 2‑for‑1 split, the per‑share dividend would normally be halved so that total dividend payments on a company level are unchanged. Shareholders receive the same aggregate cash as before, but on a per‑share basis the amount is adjusted.
• Investor records and brokerage statements: Shareholders of record as of the record date (May 5, 2025) received the additional shares; after the ex‑date (May 22, 2025) broker accounts typically reflected the new share quantities and adjusted costing/pricing. Brokerage processing times can vary, and shareholders should review statements provided by their broker for final share counts and cost basis adjustments.
• Compensation and equity awards: Fastenal’s Form 8‑K disclosed that the compensation committee approved proportional increases to the number of shares subject to equity awards to maintain economic equivalence for employees and participants in equity plans.

Tax considerations: A neutral forward split of this type generally does not create immediate taxable income to shareholders because it is not a distribution of value — rather, it only changes the number of shares and per‑share basis. However, shareholders should consult a tax advisor for specific basis and tax implications relating to their circumstances.

Historical stock split record

Fastenal’s historical split record through 2025 is as follows (years and ratios):

• 1988 — stock split (ratio per company record)
• 1990 — stock split
• 1992 — stock split
• 1995 — stock split
• 2002 — stock split
• 2005 — stock split
• 2011 — stock split
• 2019 — stock split
• 2025 — 2‑for‑1 forward split

Collectively, these corporate actions increased the number of shares outstanding over the company’s history and shaped per‑share metrics for long‑term shareholders. As of the 2025 split, Fastenal had executed nine total splits since its earlier listed history.

How investors are affected / What shareholders should know

For investors asking “did fastenal stock split,” here are clear, actionable points:

• Eligibility: Shareholders of record as of May 5, 2025 were entitled to receive the additional shares. If you held shares through a broker, your broker’s record of holdings determines your entitlement.
• Timing of changes in your account: Brokerage accounts normally reflect adjusted share counts shortly after the ex‑date (May 22, 2025). Confirm with your brokerage for timing and validation.
• Cost basis and tax basis: A forward stock split generally requires cost basis to be allocated across the increased number of shares. Brokers and custodians typically adjust lot‑level basis records. For tax reporting questions, consult a tax professional.
• Certificates and transfer agents: If you hold physical certificates, the company’s transfer agent provides instructions for exchange or reissuance of certificates post‑split; check Fastenal investor relations for transfer agent contact details.
• Dividends and voting: Your aggregate voting power and total dividend entitlement remain unchanged in aggregate (except for proportional per‑share adjustments). A shareholder who owned 100 shares before the split held 200 shares after the split and retained the same overall ownership percentage.

Practical reminder: Confirm post‑split holdings with your brokerage or custodian and review adjusted option positions if you trade derivatives.

Notable coverage and analysis

As of April–May 2025, primary sources included Fastenal’s April 23, 2025 press release and the April 24, 2025 Form 8‑K filed with the SEC. Market infrastructure memos such as the April 30, 2025 OCC/MIAX notice outlined options adjustments. Industry press outlets and market data providers covered the split and the immediate market response on May 22, 2025. Later commentary, including August 2025 pieces, assessed investor implications and placed the split in the context of Fastenal’s historical pattern of splits.

These sources collectively provide the contemporaneous and retrospective view needed to answer the central question: did fastenal stock split? Yes — and the filings and memos above document how the action was executed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: did fastenal stock split and when did the split take effect?

A: did fastenal stock split? Yes. The two‑for‑one forward split was announced April 23, 2025, the record date was May 5, 2025, the corporate amendment became effective May 21, 2025, and split‑adjusted trading began May 22, 2025.

Q: How many additional shares did I receive per share owned?

A: For each share owned as of the record date, shareholders received one additional share — doubling the number of shares held.

Q: Will the company’s market value change because of the split?

A: The split itself does not change the company’s market capitalization. Per‑share price and per‑share metrics are adjusted, but the aggregate value of all shares remains effectively the same immediately after the split.

Q: Were options adjusted for the split?

A: Yes. As of April 30, 2025, OCC/MIAX memos described that option strike prices were divided by two and contract multipliers were adjusted to preserve economic equivalence. Those adjustments were effective on the ex‑date (May 22, 2025).

Q: Are splits taxable events?

A: A neutral forward stock split typically is not a taxable event by itself. Tax cost basis is allocated across increased share counts. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances, so consult a tax professional.

Source notes and reporting dates

This article is based on primary corporate disclosures and market infrastructure notices. Key source references and their reporting dates include:

• Fastenal press release announcing the split — April 23, 2025. As of April 23, 2025, Fastenal announced the 2‑for‑1 split (source: company press release).
• SEC Form 8‑K (fast‑20250424) filed April 24, 2025 — documents board approval, articles of incorporation amendment increasing authorized common shares to 1,600,000,000 and equity award adjustments (source: SEC filing).
• OCC / MIAX memo: “Fastenal Company — 2 For 1 Stock Split” — April 30, 2025 (options contract adjustment guidance).
• Industry coverage and archive references (MDM, Macrotrends, FinancialModelingPrep, later commentary such as August 2025 investment write‑ups) provided corroborating coverage of historical splits, timing and market reaction.

When reviewing the above primary sources, readers can verify the dates and mechanics directly in company releases, the SEC EDGAR Form 8‑K and the options exchange/clearinghouse notices.

Practical checklist for shareholders after the split

• Check brokerage account for updated share count and adjusted cost basis information.
• Review your dividend payment notices to confirm per‑share dividend adjustments if applicable.
• If you hold options or other derivatives, confirm the updated strike prices and contract multipliers with your brokerage or clearing firm; see the OCC/MIAX adjustment notices dated April 30, 2025 for specifics.
• For physical certificates, contact the transfer agent (details in the company’s investor relations materials) to arrange replacement or reissuance as needed.
• Consult a tax advisor for cost basis allocation and potential reporting for your jurisdiction.

Additional resources and related topics

For readers who want to learn more about corporate actions and how they affect shareholder records and derivatives:

• How forward stock splits work and the typical administrative steps.
• Reading SEC Form 8‑K disclosures for corporate actions.
• Understanding OCC derivatives adjustments and memos.
• Using broker statements and transfer agent resources to verify post‑split holdings.

If you use trading platforms or look for custody options, consider exploring Bitget for market access and Bitget Wallet for custody needs and wallet services (note: this article is informational and not investment advice).

Final notes and next steps

did fastenal stock split? The documented, primary answer is yes — Fastenal effected a two‑for‑one forward split in May 2025 following the April board approval and SEC filing. The corporate amendment increased authorized common shares to 1,600,000,000, open equity awards and compensation plan share counts were proportionally adjusted, options and derivative contracts were adjusted in accordance with OCC/MIAX guidance, and split‑adjusted trading began on May 22, 2025.

For up‑to‑date market data (post‑split price, trading volume and market capitalization on specific dates), consult your market data provider or the company’s investor relations pages. For trading access and custody solutions, explore Bitget services and Bitget Wallet to manage holdings and view post‑split balances.

If you’d like, I can also provide a concise fact sheet with all key dates and numeric adjustments or prepare a printable checklist you can use to reconcile your brokerage account after the split.