VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs Celsius 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

Celsius Holdings, Inc.

CELH · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$12.4B
Gross margin (TTM)51.4%
Operating margin (TTM)4.5%
Net margin (TTM)3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryBeverages - Non-Alcoholic
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
57/ 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 Celsius Holdings, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CELH analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Kao Corporation leads (60 / 100 vs 57 / 100 for Celsius Holdings, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); Celsius Holdings, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in Functional Energy Beverages (CELSIUS, Alani Nu, Rockstar)).
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Celsius Holdings, Inc. has 3 across 2.

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%

Celsius Holdings, Inc.

Functional Energy Beverages (CELSIUS, Alani Nu, Rockstar)

Market

Energy drinks (functional/better-for-you positioning) and adjacent wellness products

Geography

Primarily North America; growing international presence

Customer

Consumers via retail and e-commerce channels; sold through distributor/retail channels

Role

Brand owner / product developer; uses third-party manufacturing and third-party distribution

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
Celsius Holdings, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
CELH - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$2.9T
$12.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
39.2%
51.4%
Operating margin (TTM)
9.5%
4.5%
Net margin (TTM)
7.3%
3%
Sector
Consumer
Consumer
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Beverages - Non-Alcoholic
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Functional Energy Beverages (CELSIUS, Alani Nu, Rockstar)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
16%-16.4% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
57 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsService Field NetworkCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

Celsius Holdings, Inc. strengths

Distribution ControlScope Economies

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%

Celsius Holdings, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Functional Energy Beverages (CELSIUS, Alani Nu, Rockstar)

Oligopoly

100%

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.