VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs ASML Holding N.V.

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

ASML Holding N.V.

ASML · Euronext Amsterdam

Market cap (USD)$384.7B
Gross margin (TTM)52.7%
Operating margin (TTM)34.9%
Net margin (TTM)29.4%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryNL
Data as of2025-12-21
Moat score
76/ 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 ASML Holding N.V.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ASML analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited leads (92 / 100 vs 76 / 100 for ASML Holding N.V.).
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (52.6% in Cash Markets); ASML Holding N.V. has 3 segments (23% in Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)).
  • 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; ASML Holding N.V. has 6 across 2.

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%

ASML Holding N.V.

Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)

Market

Service, upgrades and field options for installed ASML lithography tools

Geography

Global

Customer

Owners/operators of ASML lithography systems

Role

Aftermarket service provider

Revenue share

23%

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
ASML Holding N.V.
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
ASML - Euronext Amsterdam
Market cap (USD)
$67.7B
$384.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
52.7%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
34.9%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
29.4%
Sector
Financials
Technology
Industry
n/a
Semiconductors
HQ country
HK
NL
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)
Market structure
Monopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
100% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
10,000
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
92 / 100
76 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-03
2025-12-21

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs General

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited strengths

Concession LicenseClearing SettlementInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkDirect Network EffectsBenchmark Pricing PowerPhysical Network DensityDistribution Control

ASML Holding N.V. strengths

Supply Chain ControlCapex Knowhow ScaleBrand TrustService Field NetworkInstalled Base Consumables

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%

ASML Holding N.V. segments

Full profile >

EUV lithography systems (incl. High-NA)

Monopoly

n/a

DUV lithography systems

Oligopoly

n/a

Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)

Quasi-Monopoly

23%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

View the moat stocks list

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.