April 11 - Fastenal ( FAST ) reported first-quarter

revenue and profit in-line with Wall Street's estimates on

Friday, as higher-value contracts for its fasteners and other

industrial supplies helped it offset weaker demand from

manufacturing and construction sectors.

The company said more customers - factories, warehouses and

construction sites among others - crossed the threshold of

$10,000 per month in purchases; its lower-spending customers

also showed modest improvement.

The threat of President Donald Trump's tariffs prompted

businesses to front-load goods in the first quarter to bypass

duties. But it also made them refrain from big investments in

sectors such as construction, affecting demand for Fastenal's ( FAST )

products.

The Winona, Minnesota-based company makes fasteners -

one of its biggest revenue generators - and other industrial

supplies such as protective wear and communication equipment.

Fastenal's ( FAST ) gross profit margin fell to 45.1% of total sales

from 45.5% a year earlier, driven by a higher proportion of

sales to larger, lower-margin customers and increased

transportation costs.

Shares of the company, which holds a market value of $43.5

billion, fell 1% to $75.1 in premarket trading.

It reported net sales of $1.96 billion in the quarter ended

March 31, marginally above analysts' estimates of $1.95 billion,

according to data complied by LSEG.

The nuts and bolts maker posted a profit of 52 cents per

share, in line with Wall Street estimates.

Sales of fasteners fell to 30.3% of the company's total

sales, compared with 31.5% a year earlier. Its non-fasteners

sales grew to 69.7% of total sales from 68.5% previously.