VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs Microchip Technology Incorporated

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

Microchip Technology Incorporated

MCHP · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$34.9B
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
71/ 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 Microchip Technology Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCHP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Microchip Technology Incorporated leads (71 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Kao Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); Microchip Technology Incorporated has 3 segments (51.1% in Mixed-signal Microcontrollers).
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Microchip Technology Incorporated has 6 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%

Microchip Technology Incorporated

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Market

Embedded microcontrollers & microprocessors for embedded control

Geography

Global

Customer

OEMs and distributors (embedded system designers)

Role

IDM / hybrid manufacturing semiconductor supplier

Revenue share

51.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
Microchip Technology Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
MCHP - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$18.5B
$34.9B
Sector
Consumer
Technology
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Mixed-signal Microcontrollers
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
6%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-28
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Training Org Change CostsDesign In Qualification

Kao Corporation strengths

Brand TrustService Field NetworkCapex Knowhow Scale

Microchip Technology Incorporated strengths

Operational ExcellenceSwitching Costs GeneralScope EconomiesIP Choke Point

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%

Microchip Technology Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Oligopoly

51.1%

Analog

Oligopoly

26.3%

Other (FPGA, memory, timing systems, manufacturing services, SuperFlash licensing)

Oligopoly

22.6%

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.