VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Stock Comparison
Kao Corporation vs Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
Kao Corporation
4452 · Tokyo Stock Exchange
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 analysisIllinois Tool Works Inc.
ITW · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View ITW analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: Illinois Tool Works Inc. leads (66 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Kao Corporation).
- Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 7 segments (20% in Automotive OEM).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 8 across 3.
Primary market context
Kao Corporation
Hygiene Living Care Business
Household & fabric care and sanitary consumer packaged goods
Japan and Asia (with select global brands)
Consumers (retail)
Branded manufacturer
33.5%
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Automotive OEM
Automotive OEM engineered components and fasteners
Global
Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers
Component supplier
20%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Kao Corporation strengths
Illinois Tool Works Inc. strengths
Segment mix
Kao Corporation segments
Full profile >Hygiene Living Care Business
Oligopoly
Health Beauty Care Business
Competitive
Cosmetics Business
Competitive
Business Connected Business
Competitive
Chemical Business
Competitive
Illinois Tool Works Inc. segments
Full profile >Automotive OEM
Competitive
Food Equipment
Oligopoly
Test & Measurement and Electronics
Oligopoly
Welding
Oligopoly
Polymers & Fluids
Competitive
Construction Products
Competitive
Specialty Products
Oligopoly
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.