VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs Intercontinental Exchange, 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)$64.9B
Gross margin (TTM)85.1%
Operating margin (TTM)78.6%
Net margin (TTM)65.4%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Data & Stock Exchanges
CountryHK
Data as of2026-05-26
Moat score
94/ 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

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

ICE · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$84.4B
Gross margin (TTM)69%
Operating margin (TTM)40.8%
Net margin (TTM)30%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Data & Stock Exchanges
CountryUS
Data as of2026-05-26
Moat score
91/ 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 Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ICE analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited leads (94 / 100 vs 91 / 100 for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (60.6% in Cash Markets); Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has 4 segments (46.2% in Exchange transaction and clearing).
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 9 moat types across 5 domains; Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has 8 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

60.6%

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

Exchange transaction and clearing

Market

Global regulated derivatives, cash equities, equity options, OTC energy trading and clearing venues

Geography

Global, with major venues and clearing houses in the U.S., U.K., EU, Canada, Asia Pacific and the Middle East

Customer

Financial institutions, asset managers, market makers, hedgers, corporates, energy firms and brokers

Role

Regulated exchange operator, execution venue and central counterparty clearing infrastructure

Revenue share

46.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
ICE - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$64.9B
$84.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
85.1%
69%
Operating margin (TTM)
78.6%
40.8%
Net margin (TTM)
65.4%
30%
Sector
Financials
Financials
Industry
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
HQ country
HK
US
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Exchange transaction and clearing
Market structure
Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
100% (reported)
19.8%-20.1% (reported)
HHI estimate
10,000
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
94 / 100
91 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Network, Financial, Demand, Supply
Last update
2026-05-26
2026-05-26

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Clearing SettlementTwo Sided NetworkBenchmark Pricing Power

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited strengths

Concession LicenseInteroperability HubDirect Network EffectsPhysical Network DensityDistribution ControlSwitching Costs General

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. strengths

Brand TrustData Workflow LockinScope EconomiesEcosystem ComplementsData Network Effects

Segment mix

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited segments

Full profile >

Cash Markets

Monopoly

60.6%

Equity and Financial Derivatives

Monopoly

17.5%

Commodities (LME and related)

Oligopoly

12.2%

Data and Connectivity

Quasi-Monopoly

9.5%

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Exchange transaction and clearing

Oligopoly

46.2%

Exchange data, connectivity and listings

Oligopoly

13.6%

Fixed Income and Data Services

Oligopoly

22.1%

Mortgage Technology

Quasi-Monopoly

18.1%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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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.