VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

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)$2.9T
Gross margin (TTM)39.2%
Operating margin (TTM)9.5%
Net margin (TTM)7.3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryHousehold & Personal Products
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

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

BJ · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$12.3B
Gross margin (TTM)18.6%
Operating margin (TTM)3.9%
Net margin (TTM)2.7%
SectorConsumer
IndustryDiscount Stores
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
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 BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View BJ analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 60 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has 2 segments (97.8% in Merchandise and Gasoline Sales).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has 7 across 3.

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%

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

Merchandise and Gasoline Sales

Market

Membership warehouse club retail (groceries, fresh foods, general merchandise, gasoline, ancillary services)

Geography

United States (primarily Eastern U.S.)

Customer

Households and small businesses (members)

Role

Retailer / warehouse club operator

Revenue share

97.8%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
BJ - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$2.9T
$12.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
39.2%
18.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
9.5%
3.9%
Net margin (TTM)
7.3%
2.7%
Sector
Consumer
Consumer
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Discount Stores
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Merchandise and Gasoline Sales
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
60 / 100
60 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Supply, Financial, Demand
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsService Field NetworkCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostSupply Chain ControlPhysical Network DensityNegative Working CapitalFloat PrepaymentHabit Default

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%

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Merchandise and Gasoline Sales

Oligopoly

97.8%

Membership Fee Income

Oligopoly

2.2%

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.