VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs American Water Works Company, Inc.

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)$539.4B
Gross margin (TTM)85.7%
Operating margin (TTM)80.9%
Net margin (TTM)68.3%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Data & Stock Exchanges
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

American Water Works Company, Inc.

AWK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorUtilities
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
79/ 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 American Water Works Company, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AWK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited leads (92 / 100 vs 79 / 100 for American Water Works Company, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (52.6% in Cash Markets); American Water Works Company, Inc. has 2 segments (91.7% in Regulated Businesses).
  • Moat breadth: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 9 moat types across 5 domains; American Water Works Company, Inc. has 8 across 3.

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%

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Regulated Businesses

Market

Regulated water and wastewater utility service in certificated/franchised territories

Geography

United States (14-state footprint)

Customer

Residential, commercial, industrial, public authority, fire service, and sale-for-resale customers

Role

Regulated utility owner/operator (water & wastewater)

Revenue share

91.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
AWK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$539.4B
$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
85.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
80.9%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
68.3%
n/a
Sector
Financials
Utilities
Industry
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
n/a
HQ country
HK
US
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Regulated Businesses
Market structure
Monopoly
Monopoly
Market share
100% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
10,000
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
92 / 100
79 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-03
2026-01-09

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Concession LicensePhysical Network Density

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited strengths

Clearing SettlementInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkDirect Network EffectsBenchmark Pricing PowerDistribution ControlSwitching Costs General

American Water Works Company, Inc. strengths

Permits Rights Of WayCompliance AdvantageScale Economies Unit CostLong Term ContractsGovernment Contracting RelationshipsOperational Excellence

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%

American Water Works Company, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Regulated Businesses

Monopoly

91.7%

Military and Contract Water Services (Other)

Duopoly

8.3%

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.