VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Kao Corporation vs TMX Group Limited

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

TMX Group Limited

X · Toronto Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)59.3%
Operating margin (TTM)38.7%
Net margin (TTM)23.8%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Data & Stock Exchanges
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-03
Moat score
70/ 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 TMX Group Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View X analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: TMX Group Limited leads (70 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Kao Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Kao Corporation has 5 segments (33.5% in Hygiene Living Care Business); TMX Group Limited has 9 segments (16.1% in Trayport energy trading workflow software and network).
  • Moat breadth: Kao Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; TMX Group Limited has 12 across 5.

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%

TMX Group Limited

Trayport energy trading workflow software and network

Market

Wholesale energy trading workflow software and network connectivity

Geography

Europe-centric, with global customers

Customer

Energy traders, brokers, exchanges/venues

Role

Interoperability hub / workflow platform

Revenue share

16.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Kao Corporation
TMX Group Limited
Ticker / Exchange
4452 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
X - Toronto Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$2.9T
$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
39.2%
59.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
9.5%
38.7%
Net margin (TTM)
7.3%
23.8%
Sector
Consumer
Financials
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
HQ country
JP
CA
Primary segment
Hygiene Living Care Business
Trayport energy trading workflow software and network
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Legal, Network, Demand, Supply, Financial
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-03

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Kao Corporation strengths

Training Org Change CostsService Field NetworkCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In Qualification

TMX Group Limited strengths

Concession LicenseTwo Sided NetworkSwitching Costs GeneralCompliance AdvantageScale Economies Unit CostClearing SettlementRegulated Standards PipeInteroperability HubDistribution ControlData Workflow LockinBenchmark Pricing Power

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%

TMX Group Limited segments

Full profile >

TSX & TSXV listing and sustaining fees

Oligopoly

10.8%

Issuer services (TSX Trust and TMX Newsfile)

Competitive

7.9%

Equities and fixed income trading venues (TSX, TSXV, TSX Alpha, Shorcan)

Oligopoly

8.8%

Post-trade clearing, settlement and depository (CDS / CDSX)

Quasi-Monopoly

8.6%

Canadian listed derivatives trading and clearing (Montreal Exchange + CDCC, excl. BOX)

Quasi-Monopoly

12.9%

U.S. equity options exchange (BOX)

Competitive

9.6%

Trayport energy trading workflow software and network

Oligopoly

16.1%

TMX Datalinx market data and co-location

Quasi-Monopoly

15.8%

TMX VettaFi indexing, ETF analytics, and digital distribution

Oligopoly

9.5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.