VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

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

Kao Corporation

4452 · Tokyo Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$18.5B
SectorConsumer
CountryJP
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
60/ 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 Kao Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 4452 analysis

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

6981 · Tokyo Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$37.4B
SectorTechnology
CountryJP
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
75/ 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 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 6981 analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. leads (75 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Kao Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has 6 segments (47.7% in Capacitors (primarily MLCC)).
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has 8 across 4.

Primary market context

Kao Corporation

Hygiene Living Care Business

Market

Household & fabric care and sanitary consumer packaged goods

Geography

Japan and Asia (with select global brands)

Customer

Consumers (retail)

Role

Branded manufacturer

Revenue share

33.5%

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Capacitors (primarily MLCC)

Market

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) and related capacitors

Geography

Global

Customer

Electronics OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (smartphone, PC/server, automotive, industrial)

Role

Component manufacturer / supplier

Revenue share

47.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
6981 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$18.5B
$37.4B
Sector
Consumer
Technology
HQ country
JP
JP
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Capacitors (primarily MLCC)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
38%-42% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
75 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Supply, Demand, Financial, Legal
Last update
2025-12-28
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand TrustCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsService Field Network

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. strengths

Learning Curve YieldBenchmark Pricing PowerIP Choke PointCompliance AdvantageResidual segment

Segment mix

Kao Corporation segments

Full profile >

Hygiene Living Care Business

Oligopoly

33.5%

Health Beauty Care Business

Competitive

26%

Cosmetics Business

Competitive

15%

Business Connected Business

Competitive

2.4%

Chemical Business

Competitive

23.1%

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. segments

Full profile >

Capacitors (primarily MLCC)

Oligopoly

47.7%

Inductors and EMI Filters

Oligopoly

11.5%

High-Frequency Devices and Communications Modules

Oligopoly

25.4%

Batteries and Power Supply

Competitive

8.9%

Functional Devices (including sensors)

Competitive

5.6%

Other

Competitive

0.9%

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.