VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs Hormel Foods Corporation

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

Hormel Foods Corporation

HRL · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$12.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorConsumer
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-11
Moat score
58/ 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 Hormel Foods Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View HRL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Kao Corporation leads (60 / 100 vs 58 / 100 for Hormel Foods Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); Hormel Foods Corporation has 3 segments (61.6% in Retail).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Hormel Foods Corporation has 4 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%

Hormel Foods Corporation

Retail

Market

U.S. branded packaged foods sold through retail channels (grocery, mass, club, natural, drug, dollar/discount, e-commerce)

Geography

United States

Customer

Retailers and e-commerce platforms (sell-through to consumers)

Role

Branded manufacturer / marketer

Revenue share

61.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
Hormel Foods Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
HRL - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$2.9T
$12.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
39.2%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
9.5%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
7.3%
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Consumer
Industry
Household & Personal Products
n/a
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Retail
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
58 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-11

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand TrustService Field Network

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

Hormel Foods Corporation 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%

Hormel Foods Corporation segments

Full profile >

Retail

Competitive

61.6%

Foodservice

Competitive

32.6%

International

Competitive

5.9%

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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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.