UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
ýQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019,2020, or
¨Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________                   
Commission file number 0-16125
 
FASTENAL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Minnesota 41-0948415
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2001 Theurer Boulevard
Winona, Minnesota
55987-1500
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
2001 Theurer Boulevard, Winona, Minnesota                 55987-1500
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)
(507) 454-5374
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $.01 per shareFASTThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitionthe definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ý  Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-accelerated Filer ¨  Smaller Reporting Company ¨
    Emerging Growth Company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨   No  ý
Indicate the numberAs of April 13, 2020, there were approximately 572,818,887 shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes ofregistrants common stock as of the last practicable date.
ClassOutstanding at April 10, 2019
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share286,314,823
outstanding.

FASTENAL COMPANY
INDEX
 
 Page No.
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  



PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in millions except share information)
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  
AssetsMarch 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
March 31,
2020
 December 31,
2019
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$185.4
 167.2
$160.7
 174.9
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11.8 and $12.8, respectively793.0
 714.3
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11.6 and $10.9, respectively833.9
 741.8
Inventories1,293.9
 1,278.7
1,345.5
 1,366.4
Prepaid income taxes
 9.0

 16.7
Other current assets116.9
 147.0
124.2
 157.4
Total current assets2,389.2
 2,316.2
2,464.3
 2,457.2
      
Property and equipment, net943.3
 924.8
1,027.7
 1,023.2
Operating lease right-of-use assets220.9
 
242.4
 243.2
Other assets98.4
 80.5
200.3
 76.3
      
Total assets$3,651.8
 3,321.5
$3,934.7
 3,799.9
      
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of debt$4.4
 3.0
$4.9
 3.0
Accounts payable183.9
 193.6
212.1
 192.8
Accrued expenses232.8
 240.8
227.5
 251.5
Current portion of operating lease liabilities91.8
 
96.4
 97.4
Income taxes payable41.7
 
39.5


Total current liabilities554.6
 437.4
580.4
 544.7
      
Long-term debt484.6
 497.0
450.1
 342.0
Operating lease liabilities130.4
 
147.7
 148.2
Deferred income taxes85.0
 84.4
99.9
 99.4
      
Stockholders' equity:      
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
 

 
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 286,265,537 and 285,901,919 shares issued and outstanding, respectively2.9
 2.9
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 572,817,649 and 574,128,911 shares issued and outstanding, respectively2.9
 2.9
Additional paid-in capital22.7
 3.0
24.2
 67.2
Retained earnings2,412.7
 2,341.6
2,692.9
 2,633.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(41.1) (44.8)(63.4) (38.4)
Total stockholders' equity2,397.2
 2,302.7
2,656.6
 2,665.6
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$3,651.8
 3,321.5
$3,934.7
 3,799.9
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Amounts in millions except earnings per share)
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2019 20182020 2019
Net sales$1,309.3
 1,185.8
$1,367.0
 1,309.3
      
Cost of sales684.6
 608.2
730.2
 684.6
Gross profit624.7
 577.6
636.8
 624.7
      
Operating and administrative expenses363.6
 342.7
365.9
 363.6
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment(0.3) 0.4
Gain on sale of property and equipment(0.4) (0.3)
Operating income261.4
 234.5
271.3
 261.4
      
Interest income0.1
 0.1
0.1
 0.1
Interest expense(4.0) (2.7)(2.2) (4.0)
      
Earnings before income taxes257.5
 231.9
269.2
 257.5
      
Income tax expense63.4
 57.6
66.6
 63.4
      
Net earnings$194.1
 174.3
$202.6
 194.1
      
Basic net earnings per share$0.68
 0.61
$0.35
 0.34
      
Diluted net earnings per share$0.68
 0.61
$0.35
 0.34
      
Basic weighted average shares outstanding286.1
 287.6
573.9
 572.2
      
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding286.5
 287.9
575.3
 573.0
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2019 20182020 2019
Net earnings$194.1
 174.3
$202.6
 194.1
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:   
Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $0.00 in 2019 and 2018)3.7
 2.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:   
Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $0.0 in 2020 and 2019)(25.0) 3.7
Comprehensive income$197.8
 176.3
$177.6
 197.8
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Amounts in millions except per share information)
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2019 20182020 2019
Common stock      
Balance at beginning of period$2.9
 2.9
$2.9
 2.9
Balance at end of period2.9
 2.9
2.9
 2.9
Additional paid-in capital
 

 
Balance at beginning of period3.0
 8.5
67.2
 3.0
Stock options exercised18.1
 3.8
7.4

18.1
Purchases of common stock(52.0)

Stock-based compensation1.6
 1.4
1.6
 1.6
Balance at end of period22.7
 13.7
24.2
 22.7
Retained earnings
 

 
Balance at beginning of period2,341.6
 2,110.6
2,633.9
 2,341.6
Net earnings194.1
 174.3
202.6
 194.1
Dividends paid in cash(123.0) (106.4)(143.6) (123.0)
Balance at end of period2,412.7
 2,178.5
2,692.9
 2,412.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Balance at beginning of period(44.8) (25.1)(38.4) (44.8)
Other comprehensive income3.7
 2.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income(25.0) 3.7
Balance at end of period(41.1) (23.1)(63.4) (41.1)
Total stockholders' equity$2,397.2
 2,172.0
$2,656.6
 2,397.2


 

 
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock$0.43
 $0.37
Cash dividends paid per share of common stock$0.250
 $0.215
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2019 20182020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net earnings$194.1
 174.3
$202.6
 194.1
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities, net of acquisition:   
Depreciation of property and equipment35.4
 32.4
37.6
 35.4
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment(0.3) 0.4
Gain on sale of property and equipment(0.4) (0.3)
Bad debt expense2.0
 1.3
1.9
 2.0
Deferred income taxes0.6
 12.1
0.5
 0.6
Stock-based compensation1.6
 1.4
1.6
 1.6
Amortization of intangible assets1.0
 1.0
1.0
 1.0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:   
Trade accounts receivable(79.5) (82.4)(101.4) (79.5)
Inventories(13.5) (41.2)10.6
 (13.5)
Other current assets30.1
 18.4
33.2
 30.1
Accounts payable(9.7) 0.6
19.3
 (9.7)
Accrued expenses(8.0) 5.7
(24.0) (8.0)
Income taxes50.7
 35.6
56.2
 50.7
Other0.4
 0.1
2.4
 0.4
Net cash provided by operating activities204.9
 159.7
241.1
 204.9
      
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment(54.4) (31.5)(48.8) (54.4)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment1.6
 2.7
2.1
 1.6
Cash paid for acquisition(125.0)

Other0.1
 (0.1)
 0.1
Net cash used in investing activities(52.7) (28.9)(171.7) (52.7)
      
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from debt obligations210.0
 180.0
325.0
 210.0
Payments against debt obligations(240.0) (190.0)(215.0) (240.0)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options18.1
 3.8
7.4
 18.1
Purchases of common stock(52.0)

Payments of dividends(123.0) (106.4)(143.6) (123.0)
Net cash used in financing activities(134.9) (112.6)(78.2) (134.9)
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents0.9
 2.0
(5.4) 0.9
      
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents18.2
 20.2
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(14.2) 18.2
      
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period167.2
 116.9
174.9
 167.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$185.4
 137.1
$160.7
 185.4
      
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:   
Supplemental information:   
Cash paid for interest$4.0
 2.7
$2.2
 4.0
Net cash paid for income taxes$11.7
 9.6
$10.2
 11.7
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$25.0
 21.8
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


5

Table of Contents
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Unaudited)


 
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Fastenal Company and subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the company, Fastenal, or by terms such as we, our, or us) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP') for interim financial information. They do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. However, except as described herein, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Stock Split
On April 17, 2019, the board of directors approved a 2-for-one stock split of the company's outstanding common stock. Holders of the company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the close of business on May 2, 2019, received 1 additional share of common stock for every share of common stock they owned. The stock split took effect at the close of business on May 22, 2019. All historical common stock share and per share information for all periods presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Effective January 1, 2019,2020, we adopted the Financial Accounting StandardsStandard Board ('FASB') Accounting Standards Update ('ASU') 2016-02, Leases2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requireschanged the way entities recognize impairment of most financial assets. Short-term and long-term financial assets, as defined by the standard, are impacted by immediate recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The original guidance required application on a modified retrospective basis withestimated credit losses in the earliest period presented. In August 2018,financial statements, reflecting the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvementsnet amount expected to ASC 842, which included an option to not restate comparative periods in transition and elect to use the effective date of ASC 842, Leases, as the date of initial application of transition, which we elected. As a result of the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, we recorded both operating lease right-of-use ('ROU') assets of $227.5 and lease liabilities of $228.3.be collected. The adoption of ASC 842this standard had an immaterial impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statementcondensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of Earningsa Business, which provides guidance to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 requires that, to be a business, an acquired set must include, at a minimum, an input and Condensed Consolidated Statementa substantive process that together significantly contributes to the ability to create outputs. The Company adopted this guidance in evaluating a current period transaction, discussed further in Note 2, 'Asset Acquisition'.

(2) Asset Acquisition
On March 30, 2020, we purchased certain assets of Cash FlowsApex Industrial Technologies LLC ('Apex') that have contributed to the development, design, and scalability of the vending delivery platform utilized since 2008 within our industrial vending business to dispense product and lease devices to our customers. In connection with this transaction, we purchased a perpetual and unfettered use of key patents, designs, software and licenses, as well as direct access to the vending equipment supply chain.
The total purchase price of the assets acquired consisted of $125.0 paid in cash at closing. We funded the purchase price with available cash and proceeds from borrowings on our unsecured revolving credit facility. We accounted for the three-monthpurchase as an asset acquisition as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in the identifiable intangible assets used in the vending delivery platform for our industrial vending business. On a relative fair value basis, the allocated identifiable intangible assets total $123.8 and tangible property and equipment total $1.2. The weighted average amortization period ended March 31, 2019. In addition, we electedof the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard which allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification.identifiable intangible assets is approximately 19.1 years.
Additional information and disclosures required by this new standard are contained in Note 5, 'Operating Leases'.



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Table of Contents
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Unaudited)


(2)(3) Revenue
Revenue Recognition
Net sales include products and shipping and handling charges, net of estimates for product returns and any related sales incentives. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring products. All revenue is recognized when we satisfy our performance obligations under the contract. We recognize revenue by transferring the promised products to the customer, with the majority of revenue recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products. We recognize revenue for shipping and handling charges at the time the products are delivered to or picked up by the customer. We estimate product returns based on historical return rates. Using probability assessments, we estimate sales incentives expected to be paid over the term of the contract. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation and are short term in nature. Sales taxes and value added taxes in foreign jurisdictions that are collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from net sales. Revenues are attributable to countries based on the selling location from which the sale occurred.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Our revenues related to the following geographic areas were as follows for the periods ended March 31:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
United States$1,124.8
 1,028.5
$1,166.7
 1,124.8
All foreign countries184.5
 157.3
Canada and Mexico158.4
 145.9
North America1,325.1
 1,270.7
All other foreign countries41.9
 38.6
Total revenues$1,309.3
 1,185.8
$1,367.0
 1,309.3


The percentages of our sales by end market were as follows for the periods ended March 31:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
Manufacturing67.8% 67.7%67.9% 67.8%
Non-residential construction12.7% 12.7%12.3% 12.7%
Other19.5% 19.6%19.8% 19.5%
100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%


The percentages of our sales by product line were as follows for the periods ended March 31:
  Three-month Period
TypeIntroduced20192018
Fasteners(1)
196734.8%35.0%
Tools19939.9%10.2%
Cutting tools19965.9%5.7%
Hydraulics & pneumatics19966.9%7.0%
Material handling19965.8%5.8%
Janitorial supplies19967.5%7.4%
Electrical supplies19974.7%4.8%
Welding supplies19974.1%4.2%
Safety supplies199917.2%16.8%
Other 3.2%3.1%
  100.0%100.0%
(1) The fasteners product line represents fasteners and miscellaneous supplies.


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Table of Contents
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Unaudited)


(3)The percentages of our sales by product line were as follows for the periods ended March 31:
  Three-month Period
TypeIntroduced2020 2019
Fasteners(1)
196732.9% 34.8%
Tools19939.4% 9.9%
Cutting tools19965.4% 5.9%
Hydraulics & pneumatics19966.6% 6.9%
Material handling19965.7% 5.8%
Janitorial supplies19968.3% 7.5%
Electrical supplies19974.6% 4.7%
Welding supplies19974.1% 4.1%
Safety supplies199919.8% 17.2%
Other 3.2% 3.2%
  100.0% 100.0%
(1) The fasteners product line represents fasteners and miscellaneous supplies.
(4) Stockholders' Equity
Dividends
On April 10, 2019,13, 2020, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.43$0.25 per share of common stock to be paid in cash on May 22, 201926, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 24, 2019.28, 2020. Since 2011, we have paid quarterly dividends. Our board of directors currently intends to continue paying quarterly dividends, provided that any future determination as to payment of dividends will depend on the financial condition and results of operations of the company and such other factors as are deemed relevant by the board of directors.
The following table presents the dividends either paid previously or declared by our board of directors for future payment on a per share basis:
 2020 2019
First quarter$0.250
 0.215
Second quarter0.250
 0.215
Third quarter

 0.220
Fourth quarter
 0.220
Total$0.500
 0.870

 2019 2018
First quarter$0.43
 0.37
Second quarter0.43
 0.37
Third quarter

 0.40
Fourth quarter
 0.40
Total$0.86
 1.54


Stock Options
The following tables summarize the details of options granted under our stock option plans that were still outstanding as of March 31, 2019, and the assumptions used to value these grants. All such grants were effective at the close of business on the date of grant.
 
Options
Granted
 
Option Exercise
(Strike) Price
 
Closing Stock Price on Date
of Grant
 March 31, 2019
Date of Grant   
Options
Outstanding
 
Options
Exercisable
January 2, 2019658,462

$52.00

$51.41
 657,118
 14,505
January 2, 2018543,968
 $55.00
 $54.54
 519,349
 21,185
January 3, 2017764,789
 $47.00
 $46.95
 646,854
 206,755
April 19, 2016845,440
 $46.00
 $45.74
 668,947
 185,055
April 21, 2015893,220
 $42.00
 $41.26
 575,476
 142,607
April 22, 2014955,000
 $56.00
 $50.53
 445,900
 266,900
April 16, 2013205,000
 $54.00
 $49.25
 74,435
 42,567
April 17, 20121,235,000
 $54.00
 $49.01
 643,713
 534,963
April 19, 2011410,000
 $35.00
 $31.78
 38,650
 26,150
Total6,510,879
     4,270,442
 1,440,687


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Table of Contents
FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Unaudited)


Stock Options
The following tables summarize the details of options granted under our stock option plans that were outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and the assumptions used to value these grants. All such grants were effective at the close of business on the date of grant.
 
Options
Granted
 
Option Exercise
(Strike) Price
 
Closing Stock Price on Date
of Grant
 March 31, 2020
Date of Grant   
Options
Outstanding
 
Options
Exercisable
January 2, 2020902,263

$38.00

$37.230

900,685

24,964
January 2, 20191,316,924

$26.00

$25.705
 1,254,462
 29,010
January 2, 20181,087,936
 $27.50
 $27.270
 955,006
 324,848
January 3, 20171,529,578
 $23.50
 $23.475
 1,140,844
 523,176
April 19, 20161,690,880
 $23.00
 $22.870
 1,202,444
 435,348
April 21, 20151,786,440
 $21.00
 $20.630
 798,495
 411,775
April 22, 20141,910,000
 $28.00
 $25.265
 560,340
 318,480
April 16, 2013410,000
 $27.00
 $24.625
 89,472
 50,722
April 17, 20122,470,000
 $27.00
 $24.505
 446,480
 339,678
April 19, 2011820,000
 $17.50
 $15.890
 5,000
 5,000
Total13,924,021
     7,353,228
 2,463,001

Date of Grant
Risk-free
Interest Rate
 
Expected Life of
Option in Years
 
Expected
Dividend
Yield
 
Expected
Stock
Volatility
 
Estimated Fair
Value of Stock
Option
Risk-free
Interest Rate
 
Expected Life of
Option in Years
 
Expected
Dividend
Yield
 
Expected
Stock
Volatility
 
Estimated Fair
Value of Stock
Option
January 2, 20201.7%
5.00
2.4%
25.70%
$6.81
January 2, 20192.5% 5.00 2.9% 23.96% $8.79
2.5% 5.00 2.9% 23.96% $4.40
January 2, 20182.2% 5.00 2.3% 23.45% $10.03
2.2% 5.00 2.3% 23.45% $5.02
January 3, 20171.9% 5.00 2.6% 24.49% $8.40
1.9% 5.00 2.6% 24.49% $4.20
April 19, 20161.3% 5.00 2.6% 26.34% $8.18
1.3% 5.00 2.6% 26.34% $4.09
April 21, 20151.3% 5.00 2.7% 26.84% $7.35
1.3% 5.00 2.7% 26.84% $3.68
April 22, 20141.8% 5.00 2.0% 28.55% $9.57
1.8% 5.00 2.0% 28.55% $4.79
April 16, 20130.7% 5.00 1.6% 37.42% $12.66
0.7% 5.00 1.6% 37.42% $6.33
April 17, 20120.9% 5.00 1.4% 39.25% $13.69
0.9% 5.00 1.4% 39.25% $6.85
April 19, 20112.1% 5.00 1.6% 39.33% $11.20
2.1% 5.00 1.6% 39.33% $5.60

All of the options in the tables above vest and become exercisable over a period of up to eight years. Generally, each option will terminate approximately nine years after the grant date.
The fair value of each share-based option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation method that uses the assumptions listed above. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life of the option at the time of grant. The expected life is the average length of time over which we expect the employee groups will exercise their options, which is based on historical experience with similar grants. The dividend yield is estimated over the expected life of the option based on our current dividend payout, historical dividends paid, and expected future cash dividends. Expected stock volatilities are based on the movement of our stock price over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the option.
Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value is recognized for all of these awards over the vesting period. The stock-based compensation expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019 was $1.6 and $1.4,$1.6, respectively. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding unvested stock options as of March 31, 20192020 was $17.0$16.4 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.284.32 years. Any future changes in estimated forfeitures will impact this amount.


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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)

Earnings Per Share
The following tables present a reconciliation of the denominators used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share and a summary of the options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive:
 Three-month Period
Reconciliation2020 2019
Basic weighted average shares outstanding573,904,156
 572,172,602
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options1,414,674
 821,360
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding575,318,830
 572,993,962
 Three-month Period
Reconciliation2019 2018
Basic weighted average shares outstanding286,086,301
 287,642,801
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options410,680
 232,962
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding286,496,981
 287,875,763

 Three-month Period
Summary of Anti-dilutive Options Excluded2020 2019
Options to purchase shares of common stock891,290
 2,908,710
Weighted average exercise prices of options$38.00
 26.94
 Three-month Period
Summary of Anti-dilutive Options Excluded2019 2018
Options to purchase shares of common stock1,454,355
 1,616,963
Weighted average exercise prices of options$53.87
 55.02

Any dilutive impact summarized above related to periods when the average market price of our stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive stock options then outstanding.


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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 2019 and 2018
(Unaudited)

(4)(5) Income Taxes
Fastenal files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction, all states, and various local and foreign jurisdictions. With limited exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations by taxing authorities for taxable years before 2016 in the case of United States federal examinations, and 2014 in the case of foreign, state, and local examinations. During the first quarter of 2019,2020, there were no0 material changes in unrecognized tax benefits.
(5)(6) Operating Leases
We lease space under non-cancelable operating leases for several distribution centers, several manufacturing locations, and certain branch locations. These leases do not have significant rent escalation holidays, concessions, leasehold improvement incentives, or other build-out clauses. Further, the leases do not contain contingent rent provisions. We also lease certain semi-tractors, pick-up trucks, and computer equipment under operating leases. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., fixed payments including rent, taxes, and insurance costs) and non-lease components (e.g., common-area or other maintenance costs) which are accounted for as a single lease component as we have elected the practical expedient to group lease and non-lease components for all leases. Our pick-up truck leases typically have a non-cancelable lease term of less than one year and therefore, we have elected the practical expedient to exclude these short-term leases from our ROU assets and lease liabilities.
Most leases include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is typically at our sole discretion; therefore, the majority of renewals to extend the lease terms are not included in our ROU assets and lease liabilities as they are not reasonably certain of exercise. We regularly evaluate the renewal options and when they are reasonably certain of exercise, we include the renewal period in our lease term.
As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of the lease payments. We have a centrally managed treasury function; therefore, based on the applicable lease terms and the current economic environment, we apply a portfolio approach for determining the incremental borrowing rate.
Certain operating leases for pick-up trucks contain residual value guarantee provisions which would generally become due at the expiration of the operating lease agreement if the fair value of the leased vehicles is less than the guaranteed residual value. The aggregate residual value guarantee related to these leases wasis approximately $85.2.$93.2. We believe the likelihood of funding the guarantee obligation under any provision of the operating lease agreements is remote. To the extent our fleet contains vehicles we estimate will settle at a gain, such gains on these vehicles will be recognized when we sell the vehicle.
The cost components of our operating leases were as follows for the period ended March 31, 2019:

 Three-month Period
 
Leased
Facilities and
Equipment
 
Leased
Vehicles
 Total
Operating lease cost$25.7
 3.1
 28.8
Variable lease cost3.3
 0.4
 3.7
Short-term lease cost
 7.3
 7.3
Total$29.0
 10.8
 39.8
Variable lease costs consist primarily of taxes, insurance, and common area or other maintenance costs for our leased facilities and equipment which are paid based on actual costs incurred by the lessor as well as variable mileage costs related to our leased vehicles.

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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 20192020 and 20182019
(Unaudited)


Maturities of our lease liabilities for all operating leases are as follows as of March 31, 2019:
 
Leased
Facilities and
Equipment
 
Leased
Vehicles
 Total
2019$66.0
 8.0
 74.0
202068.5
 7.1
 75.6
202143.5
 2.9
 46.4
202222.7
 0.7
 23.4
202310.7
 0.2
 10.9
2024 and thereafter3.8
 0.2
 4.0
Total lease payments$215.2
 19.1
 234.3
Less: Interest(11.4) (0.7) (12.1)
Present value of lease liabilities$203.8
 18.4
 222.2
The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for all of our operating leases were as follows as of March 31, 2019:
Remaining lease term and discount rate:March 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
    Leased facilities and equipment3.14
    Leased vehicles2.24
Weighted average discount rate
    Lease facilities and equipment3.57%
    Leased vehicles3.48%
Supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases was as follows for the period ended March 31, 2019:
 Three-month Period
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash outflow from operating leases$28.4
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities21.8

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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 2019 and 2018
(Unaudited)

(6)(7) Debt Commitments
Credit Facility, Notes Payable, Industrial Revenue Bonds, and Commitments
Debt obligations and letters of credit outstanding at the end of each period consisted of the following:
 March 31,
2020
 December 31, 2019
Outstanding loans under unsecured revolving credit facility$320.0
 210.0
2.00% Senior unsecured promissory note payable40.0
 40.0
2.45% Senior unsecured promissory note payable35.0
 35.0
3.22% Senior unsecured promissory note payable60.0
 60.0
Total debt455.0
 345.0
   Less: Current portion of debt(4.9) (3.0)
Long-term debt$450.1
 342.0
    
Outstanding letters of credit under unsecured revolving credit facility - contingent obligation$36.3
 36.3
 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Outstanding loans under unsecured revolving credit facility$335.0
 365.0
2.00% Senior unsecured promissory note payable40.0
 40.0
2.45% Senior unsecured promissory note payable35.0
 35.0
3.22% Senior unsecured promissory note payable60.0
 60.0
Industrial revenue bonds19.0
 
Total debt489.0
 500.0
   Less: Current portion of debt(4.4) (3.0)
Long-term debt$484.6
 497.0
    
Outstanding letters of credit under unsecured revolving credit facility - contingent obligation$36.3
 36.3

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
We have a $700.0 committed unsecured revolving credit facility ('Credit Facility'). The Credit Facility includes a committed letter of credit subfacility of $55.0. The commitments under the Credit Facility will expire (and any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility will become due and payable) on November 30, 2023. In the next twelve months, we have the ability and intent to repay a portion of the outstanding loans using cash; therefore, we have classified this portion as a current liability. The Credit Facility contains certain financial and other covenants, and our right to borrow under the Credit Facility is conditioned upon, among other things, our compliance with these covenants. We are currently in compliance with these covenants.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility generally bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate ('LIBOR') for interest periods of various lengths selected by us, plus 0.95%. Based on the interest periods we have chosen, our weighted per annum interest rate at March 31, 20192020 was approximately 3.4%1.9%. We pay a commitment fee for the unused portion of the Credit Facility. This fee is either 0.10% or 0.125% per annum based on our usage of the Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Promissory Notes Payable
We have issued senior unsecured promissory notes under our master note agreement (the 'Master Note Agreement') in the aggregate principal amount of $135.0. Our aggregate borrowing capacity under the Master Note Agreement is $600.0; however, none of the institutional investors party to that agreement are committed to purchase notes thereunder.
The notes currently issued under our Master Note Agreement consist of three3 series. The first is in an aggregate principal amount of $40.0, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.00% per annum, and is due and payable on July 20, 2021. The second is in an aggregate principal amount of $35.0, bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.45% per annum, and is due and payable on July 20, 2022. The third is in an aggregate principal amount of $60.0, bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.22% per annum, and is due and payable on March 1, 2024. There is no amortization of these notes prior to their maturity date and interest is payable quarterly.
Industrial Revenue Bonds
We have been expanding our office and distribution facility at our Kansas City, Kansas location and financed the expansion of this facility under two Industrial Revenue Bonds ('IRBs') with an aggregate principal amount of $19.0. We subsequently purchased 100% of the outstanding bonds under the IRBs at par and under the IRB debt agreement, we have the right of offset. Accordingly, the impact of the IRB has been reflected as a non-cash transaction in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The purchase of the $19.0 of outstanding IRBs is included in other assets and the $19.0 debt obligation is included in long-term debt on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019.

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FASTENAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions except share and per share information and where otherwise noted)
March 31, 2019 and 2018
(Unaudited)

(7)(8) Legal Contingencies
The nature of our potential exposure to legal contingencies is described in our 20182019 annual report on Form 10-K in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As of March 31, 2019,2020, there were no litigation matters that we consider to be probable or reasonably possible to have a material adverse outcome.
(8)(9) Subsequent Events
We evaluated all subsequent event activity and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, with the exception of the dividend declaration disclosed in Note 3 4 'Stockholders' Equity'.



ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected our financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Dollar amounts are stated in millions except for share and per share amounts and where otherwise noted. Share and per share information in this 10-Q has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effective at the close of business on May 22, 2019. Throughout this document, percentage and dollar change calculations, which are based on non-rounded dollar values, may not be able to be recalculated using the dollar values in this document due to the rounding of those dollar values.
Business
Fastenal is a North American leader in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies. We distribute these supplies through a network of over 3,1003,200 in-market locations. Most of our customers are in the manufacturing and non-residential construction markets. The manufacturing market includes bothproducers who incorporate our products into final goods, called original equipment manufacturersmanufacturing (OEM) and, and/or utilize our supplies in the maintenance, repair, and operationsoperation (MRO). of their facilities and equipment. The non-residential construction market includes general, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, and road contractors. Other users of our products include farmers, truckers, railroads, oil exploration, production, and refinement companies, mining companies, federal, state, and local governmental entities, schools, and certain retail trades. Geographically, our branches, Onsite locations, and customers are primarily located in North America.America (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), though our presence outside of North America continues to grow as well.
Our motto is Growth through Customer Service®. We are a growth-centric organization focused on identifying 'drivers' that allow us to get closer to our customers and gain market share in what we believe remains a fragmented industrial distribution market. Our growth drivers have evolved and changed, and can be expected to continue to evolve and change, over time.
Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in significant economic disruption and has and will likely adversely affect our business. As of the date of this filing, significant uncertainty exists concerning the magnitude of the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the date of this filing, while the company's facilities and in-market locations continue to operate, we did restrict public access to our branches and many of our Onsite locations were closed or operating at a meaningfully diminished capacity, which negatively impacted sales at the end of the quarter and may negatively impact sales until the COVID-19 pandemic moderates. The COVID-19 pandemic is also shifting demand patterns to favor our lower-margin products, which is producing a reduction in our gross margins. Factors deriving from the COVID-19 response that have or may negatively impact sales and gross margin in the future include, but are not limited to: limitations on the ability of our suppliers to manufacture, or procure from manufacturers, the products we sell, or to meet delivery requirements and commitments; limitations on the ability of our employees to perform their work due to illness caused by the pandemic or local, state, or federal orders requiring employees to remain at home; limitations on the ability of carriers to deliver our products to customers; limitations on the ability of our customers to conduct their business and purchase our products and services; and limitations on the ability of our customers to pay us on a timely basis.
We are experiencing disruptions in our business as we implement modifications to preserve adequate liquidity and ensure that our business can continue to operate during this uncertain time. Certain states have issued executive orders requiring all workers to remain at home, unless their work is critical, essential, or life-sustaining. We believe that, based on the various standards published to date, the work our employees are performing, particularly with respect to supplying products required by our safety business, is critical, essential, and life-sustaining. With respect to liquidity, we are evaluating and taking actions to reduce costs and spending across our organization. This includes reducing hiring activities, adjusting pay programs, and limiting discretionary spending. We have reduced anticipated spending on capital investment projects. 
We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders. While we are unable to determine or predict the nature, duration or scope of the overall impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources, we believe that it is important to share where our company stands today, how our response to COVID-19 is progressing and how our operations and financial condition may change as the fight against COVID-19 progresses.
Executive Overview
Net sales increased $123.6,$57.7, or 10.4%4.4%, in the first quarter of 20192020 relative to the first quarter of 2018.2019. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales declined to 46.6% in the first quarter of 2020 from 47.7% in the first quarter of 2019 from 48.7% in the first quarter of 2018.2019. Our operating income, as a percentage of net sales, improveddeclined to 19.9% in the first quarter of 2020 from 20.0% in the first quarter of 2019 from 19.8% in the first quarter of 2018.2019. Our net earnings during the first quarter of 20192020 were $194.1,$202.6, an increase of 11.4%4.4% when compared to the first quarter of 2018.2019. Our diluted net earnings per share were $0.68$0.35 during the first quarter of 20192020 compared to $0.61to $0.34 during the first quarter of 2018.
We continue to focus on our growth drivers. During the first quarter of 2019, wean increase of 4.0%.

We continued to focus on our growth drivers in the first quarter of 2020. We signed 59 new national account contracts (defined as new customer accounts with a multi-site contract). Additionally, we signed 10585 new Onsite customer locations (defined as dedicated sales and service provided from within, or in close proximity to, the customer's facility) and 5,6034,798 new industrial vending devices in the first quarter of 2019.2020. Daily sales to our national account customers (defined as customer accounts with a multi-site contract) grew 5.5%.
The table below summarizes our total employee headcount, our investments in in-market locations (defined as the sum of the total number of public branch locations and the total number of active Onsite locations), and industrial vending devices at the end of the periods presented and the percentage change compared to the end of the prior periods.
    Change Since:   Change Since: 
Change
Since:
  
Change
Since:
Q1 2019 
Q4
2018
 Q4
2018
 Q1 2018 Q1 2018Q1
2020
Q4
2019

Q1
2019
In-market locations - absolute employee headcount (1)
14,336
 14,015
 2.3 % 13,745
 4.3 %14,001
13,977
0.2 % 14,336
-2.3 %
Total absolute employee headcount (1)
22,205
 21,644
 2.6 % 21,002
 5.7 %22,131
21,948
0.8 % 22,205
-0.3 %
            
Number of public branch locations2,187
 2,227
 -1.8 % 2,329
 -6.1 %2,091
2,114
-1.1 % 2,187
-4.4 %
Number of active Onsite locations945
 894
 5.7 % 678
 39.4 %1,179
1,114
5.8 % 945
24.8 %
Number of in-market locations3,132
 3,121
 0.4 % 3,007
 4.2 %3,270
3,228
1.3 % 3,132
4.4 %
Industrial vending devices (installed count) (2)(1)
83,410
 81,137
 2.8 % 73,561
 13.4 %92,124
89,937
2.4 % 83,410
10.4 %
Ratio of industrial vending devices to in-market locations27:1
 26:1
   24:1
  28:1
28:1
  27:1
 
(1)In materials released on January 17, 2019 related to our fourth quarter and full year 2018 earnings results, we undercounted our total employees by 25. We corrected this in the table above.
(2) This number primarily represents devices which principally dispense product and produce product revenues, and excludes slightly more than 15,000 devices that are part of aour locker lease program where the devices are principally used for the check-in/check-out of equipment.

During the last twelve months, we increasedreduced our absolute employee headcount by 591335 people in our in-market locations and 1,203by 74 people in total. The increasereduction in our absolute employee headcount in our in-market locations reflects efforts to control branch expenses in response to weaker demand, which was only partly offset by increases to support growth in our Onsite locations. The decrease in our total absolute employee count is mostly a function offrom personnel reductions at our in-market locations only partly offset by additions we have madein non-branch selling and support roles to support customer growth in the fieldacquisition and implementation, particularly as well as investments init relates to our growth drivers.drivers and to support general corporate functions.
We opened three branches in the first quarter of 20192020 and closed 42 branches. One branch was converted from a public branch to a non-public location.26 branches, net of conversions. We activated 6687 Onsite locations in the first quarter of 20192020 and closed 15.22, net of conversions. The number of closings reflects both normal churn in our business, whether due to exiting customer relationships, the shutting or relocation of a customer facility, or a customer decision, as well as a review of certain underperforming locations. Our in-market network forms the foundation of our business strategy, and we will continue to open or close locations as is deemed necessary to sustain and improve our network, support our growth drivers, and manage our operating expenses.
Results of Operations


The following sets forth condensed consolidated statement of earnings information (as a percentage of net sales) for the periods ended March 31:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
Net sales100.0 % 100.0 %100.0 % 100.0 %
Gross profit47.7 % 48.7 %46.6 % 47.7 %
Operating and administrative expenses27.8 % 28.9 %26.8 % 27.8 %
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment0.0 % 0.0 %
Gain on sale of property and equipment0.0 % 0.0 %
Operating income20.0 % 19.8 %19.9 % 20.0 %
Net interest expense-0.3 % -0.2 %-0.2 % -0.3 %
Earnings before income taxes19.7 % 19.6 %19.7 % 19.7 %
      
Note – Amounts may not foot due to rounding difference.      

Net Sales
Daily sales are defined as the total net sales for the period divided by the number of business days (in the United States) in the period. The table below sets forth net sales and daily sales for the periods ended March 31, and changes in such sales from the prior period to the more recent period:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
Net sales$1,309.3
 1,185.8
$1,367.0
 1,309.3
Percentage change10.4 % 13.2%4.4 % 10.4 %
Business days63
 64
64
 63
Daily sales$20.8
 18.5
$21.4
 20.8
Percentage change12.2 % 13.2%2.8 % 12.2 %
Daily sales impact of currency fluctuations-0.5 % 0.5%-0.2 % -0.5 %
Daily sales impact of acquisitions0.1 % 1.3%0.0 % 0.1 %
   
Note – Daily sales are defined as the total net sales for the period divided by the number of business days (in the United States) in the period.Note – Daily sales are defined as the total net sales for the period divided by the number of business days (in the United States) in the period.
The increase in net sales noted above for both 2019 and 2018the first quarter of 2020 was driven primarily by market share gains deriving from our success with our growth drivers, most notably contribution from industrial vending and Onsite locations, and from increases in certain products later in the quarter related to the coronavirus pandemic. A lesser contributor to our sales growth was higher unit sales and, to a lesser degree, higher pricesproduct pricing to mitigate the effect of general inflation and tariffs in the marketplace. These positive factors were slightly offset by adverseThe first quarter of 2020 also benefited from an additional selling day and the absence of unfavorable weather across manyin portions of our northern regions in both periodsNorth America that created temporary disruptions in activity and reduced sales by an estimatedhad a 65 to 85 basis pointspoint negative effect on the first quarter of 2019. These contributors were only partly offset by lower end market demand.
The trends in the first quarter of 2019 and 50 to 70 basis points2020 are best viewed through the cadence of each month in the first quarterquarter.
In January and February of 2018. In both periods, the higher unit sales resulted primarily from two sources.
The first source is continued strength in2020, underlying market demand.business conditions were sluggish. The Purchasing Managers Index ('PMI'), published by the Institute for Supply Chain Management, averaged 55.4 in50.5 during this period, with readings above 50 being indicative of growing demand. This marginally above-50 reading had not yet translated into better demand, with U.S. Industrial Production, a key indicator for our sales trend, being down 0.4% during this period, when compared against the first quarter of 20192019. Despite this, in January and 57.0 in the fourth quarterFebruary of 2018. Readings above 50 are indicative of growing demand, and the state of this gauge over the last six months has favorably influenced2020 we grew our unit sales. Fasteners are our most cyclical product line, and daily sales grew 11.8% in the first quarter of 2019 over the first quarter of 2018.by 4.1%. We also experienced growth in salesbelieve this ability to 81 ofoutperform our top 100 customers in the first quarter of 2019, which compares to growth in sales to 78 of our top 100 customers in the first quarter of 2018. These metrics describe healthy general industrial activity in our markets. The exception to this otherwise favorable backdrop is oil and gas. We do not view the softness that has emerged in oil and gas as deep by the standards of this market but it has broadened across our regions in recent months.

derives from two sources.
The secondfirst source is success within our growth initiatives. OfIn the first quarter of 2020, the most impactful:impactful drivers included:
We signed 5,6034,798 industrial vending devices during the first quarter of 2019.2020. Our installed device count on March 31, 20192020 was 83,410,92,124, an increase of 13.4%10.4% over March 31, 2018. Sales2019. Daily sales through our vending devices grew at a high-teenslow double-digit pace in the first quarter of 2020 when compared to the same period of 2019 over the first quarter of 2018 due primarily to the increase in the installed base. These device counts do not include slightly more than 15,000 vending devices deployed as part of a lease locker program. Our goal for vending device signings in 2019 remains 23,000 to 25,000 units.
We signed 10585 new Onsite locations during the first quarter of 2019.2020. We had 9451,179 active sites on March 31, 2019,2020, which represented an increase of 39.4%24.8% from March 31, 2018. Sales2019. Daily sales through our Onsite locations, excluding sales transferred from branches to new Onsites, grew at a better than 20%mid-single digit pace in the first quarter of 20192020 over the first quarter of 2018. Our goal for Onsite signings in 2019 remains 375 to 400.2019. The contribution of newer active locations more than offset the impact of weaker demand on our more mature sites.
We signed 59 new national account contracts during the first quarter of 2019. Daily sales from our national account customers grew 5.5% in the first quarter of 2020 over the first quarter of 2019.
The second, and less meaningful contributor, was product pricing. Since 2017, we have taken steps to mitigate the impact of higher product costs owing to higher inflation and tariffs on ourselves and our customers, one of which was to adjust pricing where appropriate. Though these pressures have moderated as business activity has slowed and tariff-related actions have cooled, we did realize some incremental pricing in the first quarter of 2020 related to pricing actions taken in mid-2019. We estimate pricing contributed 30-60 basis points to growth in the first quarter of 2020, with January and February 2020 approximating those levels.
Conditions in March changed significantly. We believe the market share and pricing discussions above are relevant to the entire month, and that the macro discussion above is relevant to the first half of March. However, the second half of March saw levels of business activity weaken significantly in response to societal actions meant to address the coronavirus pandemic. While the company's facilities and in-market locations continue to operate, our branches did restrict public access and many of our Onsite

locations were closed or operating at a meaningfully diminished capacity (approximately 120 out of 1,136 North American Onsite locations were closed on March 31 because the customer was closed), negatively impacting sales at the end of the quarter. As a result, our daily sales growth slowed appreciably in March to 0.2%.
The shift in business conditions in March also generated more dramatic splits in our product and customer mix. For instance, in the first quarter of 2020 daily sales of fasteners declined 2.6% while daily sales of safety products and remaining non-fastener products grew 18.4% and 1.6%, respectively. In March specifically, daily sales of fasteners declined 10.1% while daily sales of safety products grew 31.0% and daily sales of remaining non-fastener products declined 2.5%. We saw similar patterns in our customer trends. In the first quarter of 2020 daily sales to manufacturing customers increased 3.0% and daily sales to non-residential construction customers declined 0.2%. In March specifically, daily sales to manufacturing and non-residential construction customers declined 1.1% and 7.8%, respectively. Daily sales to state and local government customers, which is not typically disclosed due to its relatively small size in our mix, grew 16.9% in the first quarter of 2019 over the first quarter of 2018.
We experienced daily2020 but 31.1% in March, with sales growthto healthcare organizations more than doubling in our construction end market of 13.1% during the first quarter of 2019 over the first quarter of 2018.
We have implemented a number of pricing actions that are influencing the current period. We instituted a broad round of product price increases at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 followed by a second, more limited, round at the end of the second quarter of 2018. In the first quarter of 2019, we began to realize contributions from additional pricing actions taken in response to 10% tariffs that were levied on certain Chinese goods by the United States in September 2018. These tariffs affect a meaningful number of our products both directly as a result of the tariffs, and indirectly as a result of this action's effect on generalized inflation. Price increases were aimed at mitigating the impact of product inflation in the marketplace and represent a lesser contributor to our sales growth thus far in 2019 relative to the market and growth driver impacts described above. We estimate the contribution of price increases to sales growth in the first quarter of 2019 was 90 to 120 basis points and 20 to 50 basis points in the first quarter of 2018. We revised the impact of pricing on first quarter 2018 results from our original 50 to 100 basis point estimate based on a review of our methodology conducted during the fourth quarter of 2018. We will continue to evaluate marketplace conditions and implement incremental pricing actions or strategies as the need arises.March.
Sales by Product Line
The approximate mix of sales from our fastener product linefasteners, safety supplies, and from ourall other product lines was as follows for the periods ended March 31:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
Fastener product line34.8% 35.0%
Fasteners32.9% 34.8%
Safety supplies19.8%
17.2%
Other product lines65.2% 65.0%47.3% 48.0%
100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%
Gross Profit
OurIn the first quarter of 2020, our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, wasdeclined to 46.6%, or 110 basis points from 47.7% in the first quarter of 2019 and 48.7% in the first quarter of 2018.2019. We believe the decline in gross profit during this period is primarily due to fourtwo items. First, from(1) From the first quarter of 20182019 to the first quarter of 2019,2020, our daily sales of fastenersfastener products grew 11.8%decreased 2.6% while our daily sales of non-fastener products grew 12.7%6.0%. Fasteners are our largest product line at 34.8% of sales and our highest gross profit margin product line due to the high transaction cost surrounding the sourcing and supply of the product for our customers. Over the same period, larger customers, for which national accounts are a good proxy and whose more focused buying patterns allow us to offer them better pricing, grew faster than smaller customers. Relatively slower growth in the first quarter of 20192020 in our fastener product line (product mix) with relatively faster growth in sales to our largest customers (customer mix) pushed our gross profit margin lower. Second, while we have been successfulDeclines in raising prices, these increases have lagged behind the rise in product costs over the same period, creating a price/cost deficit that pushes our gross profit margin lower. Third, risingpercentage, such as we experienced in the first quarter of 2020, is an expected by-product of the success we are having growing sales through our vending and Onsite growth drivers. (2) Slower growth has resulted in our not leveraging near and intermediate term fixed costs, such as manufacturing, our captive fleet, or our international sourcing operation, as we have in past quarters, as well as period costs flowing through our operation. This is slightly exacerbated by more recent sources of growth, as orders related to transporting products, particularly shipping feescritical supplies such as masks, gloves, and driver wages, causedsanitizer, tend to be direct shipped rather than moved on our freight expensefleet or produced in our facilities.
The factors described above were relevant throughout the first quarter of 2020. As it relates to rise faster thanmix, in March specifically customer mix remained a factor. However, the widening growth differential between higher-margin fastener sales hurtingand lower-margin safety sales produced a greater product mix impact and increased the overall effect of mix on our gross profit margin. We operate our own truck fleet for moving product between suppliers, our distribution centers, and our in-market locations, so rising transportation costs adversely impact our gross profit margin if we are unable to pass these costs to our customers. Fourth, net rebates have not risen at the same rate as sales as we implement inventory control programs and sell through product that we accelerated into the United States from China ahead of a potential tariff increases in the fourth quarter of 2018. This has the effect of reducing our gross profit margin.percentage.

Operating and Administrative Expenses
Our operating and administrative expenses (including the (gain) lossgain on sales of property and equipment), as a percentage of net sales, improved to 26.7% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 27.8% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 28.9% in the first quarter of 2018.2019. The primary contributors to this improvement were relatively lower growth in employee-related, occupancy-related, and occupancy-relatedall other operating and administrative expenses.

The growth in employee-related, occupancy-related, and all other operating and administrative expenses (including the (gain) lossgain on sales of property and equipment) compared to the same periods in the preceding year, is outlined in the table below.
 Approximate Percentage of Total Operating and Administrative ExpensesThree-month Period
 20192020
Employee-related expenses65% to 70%7.10.2%
Occupancy-related expenses15% to 20%2.31.8%
All other operating and administrative expenses15% to 20%4.90.8%
Employee-related expenses include: (1) payroll (which includes cash compensation, stock option expense, and profit sharing), (2) health care, (3) personnel development, and (4) social taxes. Our employee-related expenses increased in the first quarter of 2019.2020. This was primarily related to: (1)to an increase in our full-time equivalent ('FTE') headcount (2)and moderate increases in hourly base wages, (3) higher bonuses and commissionswages. This was mostly offset by lower incentive compensation due to lower growth in net sales and net earnings, and (4) higher profit sharing expense.earnings.
The table below summarizes our FTE headcount at the end of the periods presented and the percentage change compared to the end of the prior periods:
     Change Since:   Change Since:
 Q1 Q4 Q4 Q1 Q1
 2019 
   2018 (1)
 2018 2018 2018
In-market locations12,482
 12,211
 2.2% 11,878
 5.1%
Total selling (includes in-market locations)14,227
 13,943
 2.0% 13,595
 4.6%
Distribution2,923
 2,834
 3.1% 2,598
 12.5%
Manufacturing700
 693
 1.0% 637
 9.9%
Administrative1,275
 1,234
 3.3% 1,174
 8.6%
Total19,125
 18,704
 2.3% 18,004
 6.2%
(1) In materials released on January 17, 2019 related to our fourth quarter and full year 2018 earnings results, we undercounted our total employees by 25. We corrected this in the table above.
   Change Since:  Change Since:
 Q1Q4Q4 Q1Q1
 202020192019 20192019
In-market locations12,334
12,236
0.8% 12,482
-1.2 %
Total selling (includes in-market locations)14,200
14,060
1.0% 14,227
-0.2 %
Distribution2,992
2,895
3.4% 2,923
2.4 %
Manufacturing675
674
0.1% 700
-3.6 %
Administrative1,368
1,339
2.2% 1,275
7.3 %
Total19,235
18,968
1.4% 19,125
0.6 %
Occupancy-related expenses include: (1) building rent, and depreciation, (2) buildingand utility costs, (3)(2) equipment related to our branches and distribution locations, and (4)(3) industrial vending equipment (we consider theview vending equipment, excluding leased locker equipment, to be an extension of our in-market operations and classify the depreciation and repair costs as occupancy expense). The increase in occupancy-related expenses in the first quarter of 2019,2020, when compared to the first quarter of 2018,2019, was mainly driven byprimarily related to increases in equipment related to our distribution locations following investments in capacity in 2019 and increases in expenses related to industrial vending equipment, as facilityequipment. Facility costs were essentially flat, with an increase in non-branch occupancy expenses being mostly offset by a decline in branch occupancy expenses.slightly down.
All other operating and administrative expenses include: (1) selling-related transportation, (2) information technology expenses, (3) net event costs, (4) general corporate expenses, which consists ofincluding legal expenses, general insurance expenses, and travel and
marketing expenses, etc., and (4)(5) the (gain) lossgain on sales of property and equipment. Combined, all other operating and administrative expenses increased in the first quarter of 20192020 when compared to the first quarter of 20182019 primarily due to (1) higher spending on information technology and (2) higher net event costs. This was partly offset by lower general corporate expenses, related towhich includes the absence of a legal settlements and a bad debt write-off. Selling-related transportation costs were roughly flat year over year.settlement that occurred in the first quarter of 2019.
Net Interest Expense
Our net interest expense was $2.1 in the first quarter of 2020 and $3.9 in the first quarter of 2019 and $2.7 in the first quarter of 2018.2019. This increasedecrease was mainly caused by higherlower average interest rates and a higherlower average debt balance during the period.
Income Taxes
We recorded income tax expense of $66.6 in the first quarter of 2020, or 24.7% of earnings before income taxes. Income tax expense was $63.4 in the first quarter of 2019, or 24.6% of earnings before income taxes. Income tax

expense was $57.6 in the first quarter of 2018, or 24.8% of earnings before income taxes. We continue to believe our ongoing tax rate, absent any discrete tax items, will be in the 24.5% to 25.0% range.
Net Earnings
Our net earnings during the first quarter of 20192020 were $194.1,$202.6, an increase of 11.4%4.4% when compared to the first quarter of 2018.2019. Our diluted net earnings per share were $0.68 during the first quarter of 20192020 were $0.35, an increase of 4.0% when compared to $0.61 during the first quarter of 2018.2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flow activity was as follows for the periods ended March 31:
Three-month PeriodThree-month Period
2019 20182020 2019
Net cash provided by operating activities$204.9
 159.7
$241.1
 204.9
Percentage of net earnings105.6% 91.6%119.0% 105.6%
Net cash used in investing activities$52.7
 28.9
$171.7
 52.7
Percentage of net earnings84.7%
27.2%
Net cash used in financing activities$134.9
 112.6
$78.2
 134.9
Percentage of net earnings38.6%
69.5%
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased in the first quarter of 20192020 relative to the first quarter of 2018,2019, primarily due to growth in net earnings and a reduced drag from net working capital investment relative to what was experienced in the first quarter of 2018.2019 and, to a lesser degree, higher net income.
The dollar and percentage change in accounts receivable, net and inventories from March 31, 20182019 to March 31, 20192020 were as follows:
 March 31Twelve-month Dollar ChangeTwelve-month Percentage Change March 31Twelve-month Dollar ChangeTwelve-month Percentage Change
 2019 2018 2019 2019 2020 2019 2020 2020
Accounts receivable, net $793.0
 688.6
 $104.4
 15.2% $833.9
 793.0
 $40.9
 5.2%
Inventories 1,293.9
 1,134.9
 159.0
 14.0% 1,345.5
 1,293.9
 51.6
 4.0%
Total $2,086.9
 1,823.5
 $263.4
 14.4% $2,179.4
 2,086.9
 $92.5
 4.4%
                
Net sales in last two months $862.4
 791.4
 $71.0
 9.0% $904.1
 862.4
 $41.7
 4.8%
Note - Amounts may not foot due to rounding difference.
The growth in our net accounts receivable from March 31, 20182019 to March 31, 20192020 reflects sustained strongnot only our growth in sales combined with relatively strongerbut that our growth ofis being driven disproportionately by our national accounts andprogram, where our international business, each of whichcustomers tend to have longer payment terms than our business as a whole. In any given period and over time,This is being mitigated by weaker business activity, which reduces the strong growthamount of our international business and of our large customer accounts can result in faster growth in receivables relative to net sales growth. Growth in net accounts receivable in the period was also impacted by the timing of customers' payments late in the quarter, a trend that began in the fourth quarter of 2017 and has intensified since that time period. Based on the aging of our receivables, there has been no erosion in the quality of our receivables.
The increase in inventory from March 31, 20182019 to March 31, 20192020 was primarily to support healthy business activity andhigher sales, growth, including alargely reflecting large increaseincreases in the number of installed vending devices and active Onsite locations, to support higher levels of service, and from inflation and tariffs. These factors were partly offset by lower purchasing as a resultThe rate of our working through foreign-sourced inventory that had been accelerated into the United Statesgrowth continued to slow in the fourthfirst quarter of 20182020 based on slowing economic activity and programs intendedinternal efforts to improvereduce hub inventory. We intend to continue to invest in the inventory necessary to support our inventory efficiency.vending and Onsite initiatives.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased from the first quarter of 20182019 to the first quarter of 2019.2020. This was due to higher spending on property, plant and equipment. During the first quarteracquisition of 2019, ourcertain assets of Apex Industrial Technologies LLC late in the period. This was slightly offset by lower net capital expenditures were $52.8, which is an increaseexpenditures.
Our capital spending will typically fall into five categories: (1) the addition of 83.3% frommanufacturing and warehouse property and equipment, (2) the first quarterpurchase of 2018. Capital expenditures in the first three months of 2019 and 2018 consisted of: (1)industrial vending technology, (3) the purchase of software and hardware for our information processing systems, (2)(4) the addition of fleet vehicles, (3)and (5) the purchase of signage, shelving, and other fixed assets related to branch locations and Onsite activations, (4)locations. Proceeds from the addition of

manufacturing and warehouse property and equipment, including automation systems equipment, (5) the expansion or improvement of certain owned or leased branch properties, and (6) purchases related to industrial vending. Of these factors, items (4) and (6) had the greatest impact on our capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2019. Disposalssales of property and equipment, consisted oftypically for the planned disposition of certain pick-up trucks as well as distribution vehicles and trailers in the normal course of business.business, are netted against these purchases and additions. During the first quarter of 2020, our net capital expenditures were $46.7, which is a decrease of 11.6% from the first quarter of 2019. Of the factors described above, lower spending to develop and expand certain distribution center assets and, to a lesser degree, reduced fleet vehicle investment primarily explains the decline in our net capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2020.

Cash requirements for capital expenditures were satisfied from cash generated from operations, available cash and cash equivalents, our borrowing capacity, and the proceeds of disposals. We continue to anticipatehave reduced our expectations for net capital expenditures in 20192020 to be within a range of $195.0$155.0 to $225.0, growth$180.0, down from 2018our previous range of between $28.2$180.0 to $205.0 and $58.2,a decrease from $239.8 in 2019. We had anticipated lower annual spending based on a reduction in projects that would develop and 16.9%expand certain distribution center assets and, 34.9%. This increase isto a resultlesser degree, reduced fleet vehicle investment. The decline relative to our original projections for 2020 largely reflects a review and deferral of higher spending for propertycertain building projects in light of an increasingly uncertain business climate and lower vending spend due to a reduction in expected signings and, to a lesser degree, the impact on the cost of our vending equipment to expand our hub capacity, vending devices, and hub vehicles, with our investments in hub capacity likely to befollowing the primary determinant of where we fall within our range.Apex asset purchase.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the first quartersquarter of both2020 consisted of payments of dividends, purchases of our common stock, and payments against debt obligations, which were partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options and proceeds from debt obligations. Net cash used in financing activities in the first quarter 2019 and 2018 consisted of payments of dividends and payments against debt obligations, which were partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options and proceeds from debt obligations. During the first quartersquarter of 2020, we purchased 1,600,000 shares of our common stock at an average price of approximately $32.54 per share. During the first quarter of 2019, and 2018, we did not purchase any shares of our common stock. We currently have authority to purchase up to 2,400,0003,200,000 additional shares of our common stock. An overview of our dividends paid or declared in 20192020 and 20182019 is contained in Note 34 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates is contained in our 20182019 annual report on Form 10-K.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – A description of recently adopted accounting pronouncements is contained in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain Contractual Obligations – A discussion of the nature and amount of certain of our contractual obligations is contained in our 20182019 annual report on Form 10-K. That portion of total debt outstanding under our Credit Facility and notes payable and industrial revenue bonds classified as long-term, and the maturity of that debt, is described earlier in Note 67 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain Risks and Uncertainties – Certain statements contained in this document do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. As such, they are considered 'forward-looking statements' that provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as anticipate, believe, should, estimate, expect, intend, may, will, plan, goal, project, hope, trend, target, opportunity, and similar words or expressions, or by references to typical outcomes. Any statement that is not a purely historical fact, including estimates, projections, trends, and the outcome of events that have not yet occurred, is a forward-looking statement. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our expectations regarding the business environment in which we operate, our projections of future performance, our perceived marketplace opportunities, our strategies, goals, mission and vision, and our expectations related to future capital expenditures, future tax rates, future inventory levels, Onsite and industrial vending signings, and the impact of price increases on overall sales growth.growth or margin performance. You should understand that forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, weakness in the manufacturing or commercial construction industries, competitive pressure on selling prices, changes in our current mix of products, customers, or geographic locations, changes in our average branch size, changes in our purchasing patterns, changes in customer needs, changes in fuel or commodity prices, inclement weather, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, difficulty in adapting our business model to different foreign business environments, failure to accurately predict the market potential of our business strategies, the introduction or expansion of new business strategies, weak acceptance or adoption of our vending or Onsite business models, increased competition in industrial vending or Onsite, difficulty in maintaining installation quality as our industrial vending business expands, the leasing to customers of a significant number of additional industrial vending devices, the failure to meet our goals and expectations regarding branch openings, branch closings, or expansion of our industrial vending or Onsite operations, changes in the implementation objectives of our business strategies, difficulty in hiring, relocating, training, or retaining qualified personnel, difficulty in controlling operating expenses, difficulty in collecting receivables or accurately predicting future inventory needs, dramatic changes in sales trends, changes in supplier production lead times, changes in our cash position or our need to make capital expenditures, credit market volatility, changes in tax law or the impact of any such changes on future tax rates, changes in tariffs or the impact of any such changes on our financial results, changes in the availability or price of commercial real estate, changes in the nature, price, or

availability of distribution, supply chain, or other technology (including software licensed from third parties) and services related to that technology, cyber-security incidents, potential liability and reputational damage that can arise if our products are

defective, difficulties measuring the contribution of price increases on sales growth, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual and quarterly reports. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.
ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
We are exposed to certain market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity steel pricing, commodity energy prices, and interest rates. Changes in these factors cause fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows. We evaluate and manage exposure to these market risks as follows:
Foreign currency exchange rates – Foreign currency fluctuations can affect our net investments, our operations in countries other than the U.S., and earnings denominated in foreign currencies. Historically, our primary exchange rate exposure has been with the Canadian dollar against the United States dollar. We have not historically hedged our foreign currency risk given that exposure to date has not been material. In the first quarter of 2019 a change2020, changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced our reported net sales by $6.9$2.3 with the estimated effect on our net earnings being immaterial.
Commodity steel pricing – We buy and sell various types of steel products; these products consist primarily of different types of threaded fasteners.fasteners and related hardware. We are exposed to the impacts of commodity steel pricing and our related ability to pass through the impacts to our end customers. InThrough the first quarter of 2019, we have seen continued inflation2020, the price of commodity steel as reflected in overall steel pricing.many market indexes has declined. Our estimated net earnings exposure for these changes was not material in the first quarter of 2020.
Commodity energy prices – We have market risk for changes in prices of oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity. Rising costs for these commodities can produce higher fuel costs for our hub and field-based vehicles and utility costs for our in-market locations, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. Fossil fuels are also often a key feedstock for chemicals and plastics that comprise a key raw material for many products that we sell. We believe that over time these risks are mitigated in part by our ability to pass freight and product costs to our customers, the efficiency of our trucking distribution network, and the ability, over time, to manage our occupancy costs related to the heating and cooling of our facilities through better efficiency. Our estimated net earnings exposure for commodity energy prices was not material in the first quarter of 2019.2020.
Interest rates - Loans under our Credit Facility bear interest at floating rates tied to LIBOR (or, if LIBOR is no longer available, at a replacement rate to be determined by the administrative agent for the Credit Facility and consented to by us). As a result, changes in LIBOR can affect our operating results and liquidity to the extent we do not have effective interest rate swap arrangements in place. We have not historically used interest rate swap arrangements to hedge the variable interest rates under our Credit Facility. A one percentage point increase in LIBOR in the first three months of 20192020 would have resulted in approximately $0.9$0.5 of additional interest expense. A description of our Credit Facility is contained in Note 67 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 'Securities Exchange Act')). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial ReportingThere was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – Beginning January 1, 2019, we implemented ASU 2016-02, Leases. Although the adoption of the new accounting standard did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings or Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three-month period ended March 30, 2019, we did implement changes to our internal controls related to the implementation of the lease accounting standard. These changes included performing a comprehensive lease scoping analysis to identify, disaggregate and evaluate each of our lease categories and implementing a new information technology application to calculate ROU assets and lease liabilities values for our leases. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A description of our legal proceedings, if any, is contained in Note 78 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The description of legal proceedings, if any, in Note 78 is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS
The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results are described in Item 2 of Part I above and in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K under Forward-Looking Statements and Item 1A – Risk Factors. There, except for the addition of the following risk factor.
Industry and General Economic Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted worldwide economic conditions and could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business.  The present coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic began to impact our operations late in the first quarter of 2020 and is likely to continue to affect our business, including as government authorities impose mandatory closures, work-from-home orders and social distancing protocols, and seek voluntary facility closures or impose other restrictions. These actions could materially adversely affect our ability to adequately staff and maintain our operations, impair our ability to sustain sufficient financial liquidity and impact our financial results. While our facilities and in-market locations have been noable to continue to operate, we have restricted public access to our branches and many of our Onsite locations were closed or operated at a meaningfully diminished capacity, negatively impacting sales at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020. COVID-19 has also produced significant shifts in the mix of our business resulting from a decrease in sales of our fasteners and increases in sales through our safety business, which we anticipate will result in lower gross margins until the impacts of COVID-19 starts to moderate. As we cannot predict the duration or scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, the anticipated negative financial impact to our operating results cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material change in those risk factors.

and last for an extended period of time.
ITEM 2 — UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth information regarding purchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2019:2020:
 (a)(b)(c)(d)
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (1)
January 1-31, 2019 0  $0.00  0  2,400,000 
February 1-28, 2019 0  $0.00  0  2,400,000 
March 1-31, 2019 0  $0.00  0  2,400,000 
Total 0  $0.00  0  2,400,000 
 (a)(b)(c)(d)
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (1)
January 1-31, 2020 0  $0.00  0  4,800,000 
February 1-29, 2020 0  $0.00  0  4,800,000 
March 1-31, 2020 1,600,000  $32.54  1,600,000  3,200,000 
Total 1,600,000  $32.54  1,600,000  3,200,000 
(1)On July 11, 2017, our board of directors established a new authorization for us to repurchase up to 5,000,00010,000,000 shares of our common stock. This repurchase program has no expiration date. As of March 31, 2019,2020, we had remaining authority to repurchase 2,400,0003,200,000 shares under this authorization.

ITEM 6 — EXHIBITS
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description of Document
   
3.1 
   
3.2 
   
31 
   
32 
   
101.INS101 XBRL Instance DocumentThe following financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
   
101.SCH104 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase DocumentThe cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL.
   

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
   FASTENAL COMPANY
   
    
Date: April 16, 201917, 2020By: /s/ Holden Lewis
   Holden Lewis
   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial Officer)
    
   
    
Date: April 16, 201917, 2020By: /s/ Sheryl A. Lisowski
   Sheryl A. Lisowski
   Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, and
   Treasurer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


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