fastenal co said earnings and sales rose in the fourth quarter thanks to both higher prices and unit sales the maker of fasteners and other industrial and construction supplies posted earnings of 2456 million or 43 cents a share compared with earnings of 2312 million or 40 cents a share in the same quarter a year ago analysts surveyed by factset had been expecting earnings of 42 cents a share sales rose to 17 billion from 153 billion last year analysts had been expecting 168 billion according to factset the winona minnbased company said unit sales were up during the quarter due to growing demand from markets tied to industrial capital goods and commodities which offset some softness in markets connected to consumer goods and lowergrowth construction on wednesday the company raised its quarterly dividend by 13 to 35 cents a share and said it repurchased 2 million shares of outstanding stock during the fourth quarter at an average price of 4662