VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

0388.HK · Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)

Market cap (USD)$67.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorFinancials
Industry
CountryHK
Data as of2026-01-03
Moat score
92/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 0388.HK analysis

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

2330 · Taiwan Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$41.1T
Gross margin (TTM)59%
Operating margin (TTM)49.5%
Net margin (TTM)43.7%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryTW
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
92/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 2330 analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 92 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (52.6% in Cash Markets); Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has 3 segments (74% in Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)).
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 9 moat types across 5 domains; Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

Cash Markets

Market

Exchange-based cash equities trading, clearing and settlement in Hong Kong (including Stock Connect cash markets)

Geography

Hong Kong (with Mainland China Connect linkage)

Customer

Brokers, banks, proprietary trading firms, and investors; listed issuers via primary/secondary markets

Role

Exchange operator + clearing/settlement/depository operator

Revenue share

52.6%

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)

Market

Leading-edge semiconductor foundry services (<=7nm logic process technologies)

Geography

Global

Customer

Fabless semiconductor companies, system companies, and IDMs

Role

Dedicated foundry / contract manufacturer

Revenue share

74%

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
2330 - Taiwan Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$67.7B
$41.1T
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
59%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
49.5%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
43.7%
Sector
Financials
Technology
Industry
n/a
Semiconductors
HQ country
HK
TW
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)
Market structure
Monopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
100% (reported)
70%-72% (reported)
HHI estimate
10,000
5,165
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
92 / 100
92 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Supply, Network, Demand, Financial
Last update
2026-01-03
2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Benchmark Pricing Power

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited strengths

Concession LicenseClearing SettlementInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkDirect Network EffectsPhysical Network DensityDistribution ControlSwitching Costs General

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleEcosystem ComplementsDesign In QualificationScope EconomiesOperational ExcellenceKeystone Component

Segment mix

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited segments

Full profile >

Cash Markets

Monopoly

52.6%

Equity and Financial Derivatives

Monopoly

20.3%

Commodities (LME and related)

Oligopoly

14.8%

Data and Connectivity

Quasi-Monopoly

12.2%

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited segments

Full profile >

Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)

Quasi-Monopoly

74%

Mature & Specialty Foundry (16nm and above + specialty processes)

Oligopoly

26%

Advanced Packaging & 3DFabric (CoWoS, InFO, SoIC)

Oligopoly

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

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Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.