VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stock Comparison

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited vs Illinois Tool Works 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)$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

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

ITW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$73B
Gross margin (TTM)43.6%
Operating margin (TTM)26.2%
Net margin (TTM)19.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
66/ 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 Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ITW analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited leads (92 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Illinois Tool Works Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has 4 segments (52.6% in Cash Markets); Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 7 segments (20% in Automotive OEM).
  • 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; Illinois Tool Works 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%

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Automotive OEM

Market

Automotive OEM engineered components and fasteners

Geography

Global

Customer

Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers

Role

Component supplier

Revenue share

20%

Side-by-side metrics

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
0388.HK - Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)
ITW - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$67.7B
$73B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
43.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
26.2%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
19.1%
Sector
Financials
Industrials
Industry
n/a
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
HK
US
Primary segment
Cash Markets
Automotive OEM
Market structure
Monopoly
Competitive
Market share
100% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
10,000
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
92 / 100
66 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Network, Financial, Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-03
2025-12-31

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

Illinois Tool Works Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationOperational ExcellenceBrand TrustService Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesFormulation and application engineering know-howIP Choke Point

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%

Illinois Tool Works Inc. segments

Full profile >

Automotive OEM

Competitive

20%

Food Equipment

Oligopoly

16.6%

Test & Measurement and Electronics

Oligopoly

17.7%

Welding

Oligopoly

11.6%

Polymers & Fluids

Competitive

11.1%

Construction Products

Competitive

12%

Specialty Products

Oligopoly

10.9%

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.