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FAST vs RPM: Correlation

How closely do Fastenal (FAST) and RPM International Inc. (RPM) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.53, which is moderate.

Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology

Correlation (3Y)
0.53
moderate
Correlation (1Y)
0.54
last 12 months
Correlation (5Y)
0.55
long-run
Ann. covariance
320.9
%² · weekly, annualized

How correlated are FAST and RPM?

On 3 years of weekly data the FAST/RPM correlation comes out at 0.53, moderate. Little has changed lately, as the 1-year reading of 0.54 lands near the 3-year figure. The 5-year figure is 0.55, and annualized covariance runs at 320.9 %².

Within FAST's tracked universe of 33 assets, RPM comes in at #8 by 3-year correlation. The last year tells two different stories: FAST led by 18.4 percentage points, +4.1% for FAST against -14.3% for RPM.

How is this computed?

Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.

FAST vs RPM: side by side

FAST (Fastenal)RPM (RPM International Inc.)
1-year return+4.1%-14.3%
5-year return+105.5%+38.7%
Volatility (ann.)24.0%25.0%
Beta vs S&P 5000.630.85
Max drawdown (3Y)-21.9%-32.0%
Market cap$58.7B$13.5B
P/E (trailing)43.720.7
Dividend yield1.80%1.99%
Sector / categoryIndustrialsUS Listed
Lower P/E: RPM 20.7 vs 43.7Higher yield: RPM 1.99% vs 1.80%Smaller drawdown: FAST -21.9% vs -32.0%Higher 5y return: FAST +105.5% vs +38.7%
-26%0%+10%2025-09-052026-08-27
Twelve months of weekly closes, each series rebased to 100. FAST · RPM

Year-by-year returns

YearFASTRPM
2022-24.3%-1.7%
2023+41.3%+16.8%
2024+13.5%+12.1%
2025+14.0%-13.9%
2026+29.5%+3.2%

Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.

Are FAST and RPM good diversifiers for each other?

Somewhat, no more. With 0.53 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.

FAQ

What is the correlation between FAST and RPM?

Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.53 over 3 years, with 0.54 over the last year and 0.55 over 5 years.

Is RPM a good diversifier for FAST?

Somewhat, no more. With 0.53 correlation, most large moves hit both names, and the diversification benefit stays modest.

What does a correlation of 0.53 mean?

On the −1 to +1 scale, 0.53 describes how much the two returns move together: +1 is lockstep, 0 is independence, negative values mean opposite directions. It says nothing about which performed better.

Use this data

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$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/fast-vs-rpm.json

FAST vs RPM: 3-year weekly correlation 0.53FAST vs RPM0.53

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Related comparisons

Hubs: FAST correlations · RPM correlations