VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs REA Group Ltd

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

REA Group Ltd

REA · ASX

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorCommunication Services
Industry
CountryAU
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
91/ 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 REA Group Ltd's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View REA analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: REA Group Ltd leads (91 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Kao Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); REA Group Ltd has 3 segments (87.5% in Australia - Property & Online Advertising).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Duopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; REA Group Ltd 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%

REA Group Ltd

Australia - Property & Online Advertising

Market

Australian online property classifieds & digital real estate advertising (residential + commercial listings)

Geography

Australia

Customer

Real estate agents/agencies and developers (advertisers) + property seekers (consumers)

Role

Marketplace operator / media & advertising platform

Revenue share

87.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
REA Group Ltd
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
REA - ASX
Market cap (USD)
$2.9T
n/a
Gross margin (TTM)
39.2%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
9.5%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
7.3%
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Communication Services
Industry
Household & Personal Products
n/a
HQ country
JP
AU
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Australia - Property & Online Advertising
Market structure
Oligopoly
Duopoly
Market share
n/a
78%-82% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
6,800
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
60 / 100
91 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Network, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-09

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsService Field NetworkCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

REA Group Ltd strengths

Two Sided NetworkData Network EffectsData Workflow LockinDistribution ControlHabit 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%

REA Group Ltd segments

Full profile >

Australia - Property & Online Advertising

Duopoly

87.5%

Australia - Financial Services

Competitive

4.8%

India - Online Property Classifieds

Oligopoly

7.7%

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.