Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the maintenance and repair distributors stocks, including Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) and its peers.

Supply chain and inventory management are themes that grew in focus after COVID wreaked havoc on the global movement of raw materials and components. Maintenance and repair distributors that boast reliable selection and quickly deliver products to customers can benefit from this theme. While e-commerce hasn’t disrupted industrial distribution as much as consumer retail, it is still a real threat, forcing investment in omnichannel capabilities to serve customers everywhere. Additionally, maintenance and repair distributors are at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and construction projects that can juice demand.

The 9 maintenance and repair distributors stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1%.

While some maintenance and repair distributors stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.4% since the latest earnings results.

Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST)

Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.

Fastenal reported revenues of $2.03 billion, up 11.1% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 6.2% since reporting and currently trades at $46.46.

Read our full report on Fastenal here, it’s free.

Best Q4: VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC)

With roots dating back to 1959 and a strategic focus on extending the life of transportation assets, VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) provides aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and vehicle fleets in commercial and government markets.

VSE Corporation reported revenues of $301.2 million, flat year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 2.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $214.86.

Is now the time to buy VSE Corporation? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR)

Founded in 1952, Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR) provides supply chain solutions and distributes industrial, safety, and maintenance products to various industries.

Distribution Solutions reported revenues of $481.6 million, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Distribution Solutions delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 25.8% since the results and currently trades at $22.05.

Read our full analysis of Distribution Solutions’s results here.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW)

Founded as a supplier of motors, W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) provides maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies and services to businesses and institutions.

W.W. Grainger reported revenues of $4.43 billion, up 4.5% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. More broadly, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and full-year EPS guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is up 1.4% since reporting and currently trades at $1,112.

Read our full, actionable report on W.W. Grainger here, it’s free.

MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM)

Founded in NYC’s Little Italy, MSC Industrial Direct (NYSE: MSM) provides industrial supplies and equipment, offering vast and reliable selection for customers such as contractors

MSC Industrial reported revenues of $965.7 million, up 4% year on year. This print met analysts’ expectations. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 7.6% since reporting and currently trades at $91.39.

Read our full, actionable report on MSC Industrial here, it’s free.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.