Fastenal Company announced unaudited earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of $922,793,000 compared with $926,254,000 for the same period a year ago. Operating income was $179,142,000 compared with $189,021,000 for the same period a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $178,205,000 compared with $188,819,000 for the same period a year ago. Net earnings was $111,904,000 or $0.39 per diluted share compared with $118,391,000 or $0.40 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. The decrease in net sales in the three-month period came primarily from a drop in their customers' discretionary spending, as well as a greater frequency of customer plant shutdowns, primarily in November and December of 2015.

For the full year, the company reported net sales of $3,869,187,000 compared with $3,733,507,000 for the same period a year ago. Operating income was $828,755,000 compared with $787,590,000 for the same period a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $826,020,000 compared with $787,434,000 for the same period a year ago. Net earnings was $516,361,000 or $1.77 per diluted share compared with $494,150,000 or $1.66 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $546,940,000 compared with $499,392,000 for the same period a year ago. Purchases of property and equipment were $155,168,000 compared with $189,474,000 for the same period a year ago. The increase in net sales in the twelve-month periods noted for 2015 and 2014, and three month period for 2014, came primarily from higher unit sales.