Continued supply chain disruptions and spiking demand muted the FIN Fastener Stock Index in the second quarter of 2021 even as the U.S. economy made strides to fully reopen. 

The FINdex halved its brisk pace in the second quarter, gaining 4.9% compared to a 6% gain by an index of related industrial stocks. In the opening quarter of 2021, the FINdex grew 9.6%.

Grainger achieved the highest stock gain during Q2, rising 20.5%. In Q1, Grainger sales rose 2.8% to $3.1 billion, driven by strong performance in both the High-Touch Solutions North America (N.A.) and Endless Assortment segments.

Other fastener companies with rising share value during Q2 included Chicago Rivet (up 2.2%); Dorman Products (up 1%); Fastenal (up 3.4%); ITW (up 0.9%); Howmet Aerospace (up 7%); Lawson Products (up 5.1%); Nucor (up 19.5%); Park-Ohio (up 2.1%); Simpson Mfg. (up 6.5%); Stanley Black & Decker (up 2.7%); and Tree Island Steel (up 10.2%).

Fastener stocks losing value during the second quarter included Carpenter Technology (down 2.2%); EACO – Bisco Industries (down 0.5%); and MSC Industrial (down 0.5%).

During the first half of 2021, the FINdex grew 15.1% compared to a 13% gain by an index of related stocks.

Fastener companies recording first-half gains included Carpenter Technology (up 38.1%); Chicago Rivet (up 14%); Dorman Products (up 19.4%); Fastenal (up 6.5%); Grainger (up 7.3%); ITW (up 9.6%); Howmet Aerospace (up 20.4%); Lawson Products (up 5.1%); MSC Industrial (up 6.3%); Nucor (up 80.3%); Park-Ohio (up 4%); Simpson Mfg. (up 18.2%); Stanley Black & Decker (up 14.8%); and Tree Island Steel (up 90%).

FINdex companies losing share value in the first half of 2021 included EACO – Bisco Industries (down 4.7%) and TriMas (down 4.2%).

During 2020, the FINdex increased 10% during the year, lower than the 12.8% rise in stock value by an index of related industrial stocks.