Construction and industrial supplies maker Fastenal Co; said Wednesday it had net income of $152.4 million, or 53 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $114.8 million, or 40 cent a share, in the year-earlier period. Sales rose to $1.09 billion from $947.9 million. The FactSet consensus was for EPS of 45 cents and sales of $1.08 billion. The company said employee-related costs, which account for 65% to 70% of operating and administrative costs, rose 15.5% in the quarter, mostly due to an increase in its full-time equivalent headcount, higher expenses relating to improving growth including bonuses and commissions and profit sharing and the inclusion of personnel from the Mansco acquisition last year. Shares slid 3.6% in premarket trade, but have gained 15% in the last 12 months, while the S&P 500 has gained 22%.
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