VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs DLocal 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

DLocal Limited

DLO · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$4.1B
Gross margin (TTM)38.6%
Operating margin (TTM)20.8%
Net margin (TTM)17.8%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySoftware - Infrastructure
CountryUY
Data as of2025-12-27
Moat score
53/ 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 DLocal Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DLO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited leads (92 / 100 vs 53 / 100 for DLocal Limited).
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (52.6% in Cash Markets); DLocal Limited has 1 segment.
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 9 moat types across 5 domains; DLocal Limited has 4 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%

DLocal Limited

Payment processing platform (Pay-ins & Pay-outs)

Market

Cross-border payment processing for global merchants in emerging markets

Geography

Global; emerging markets focus (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East)

Customer

Enterprise merchants and platforms

Role

Payment service provider / processor

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
DLocal Limited
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
DLO - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$67.7B
$4.1B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
38.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
20.8%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
17.8%
Sector
Financials
Technology
Industry
n/a
Software - Infrastructure
HQ country
HK
UY
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Payment processing platform (Pay-ins & Pay-outs)
Market structure
Monopoly
Competitive
Market share
100% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
10,000
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
92 / 100
53 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2026-01-03
2025-12-27

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

DLocal Limited strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleCompliance AdvantageOperational 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%

DLocal Limited segments

Full profile >

Payment processing platform (Pay-ins & Pay-outs)

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.