VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

2330 · Taiwan Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$41.1T
Gross margin (TTM)59%
Operating margin (TTM)49.5%
Net margin (TTM)43.7%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryTW
Data as of2025-12-28
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 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 2330 analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited leads (92 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Norfolk Southern Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has 3 segments (74% in Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Primary market structure: Quasi-Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited

Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)

Market

Leading-edge semiconductor foundry services (<=7nm logic process technologies)

Geography

Global

Customer

Fabless semiconductor companies, system companies, and IDMs

Role

Dedicated foundry / contract manufacturer

Revenue share

74%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
2330 - Taiwan Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$41.1T
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
59%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
49.5%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
43.7%
n/a
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
Semiconductors
Railroads
HQ country
TW
US
Primary segment
Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)
Merchandise
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
70%-72% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
5,165
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
92 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Network, Demand, Financial
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleEcosystem ComplementsDesign In QualificationBenchmark Pricing PowerScope EconomiesOperational ExcellenceKeystone Component

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited segments

Full profile >

Leading-edge Foundry (7nm and below)

Quasi-Monopoly

74%

Mature & Specialty Foundry (16nm and above + specialty processes)

Oligopoly

26%

Advanced Packaging & 3DFabric (CoWoS, InFO, SoIC)

Oligopoly

n/a

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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.