VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Saturday, January 3, 2026

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Stock Comparison

Keyence Corporation vs James Hardie Industries plc

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Keyence Corporation

6861.T · Tokyo Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$87.6B

Gross margin (TTM)—

Operating margin (TTM)—

Net margin (TTM)—

SectorTechnology

Industry—

CountryJP

Data as of2026-01-02

Moat score

73/ 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 Keyence Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 6861.T analysis

James Hardie Industries plc

JHX · ASX

Market cap (USD)$17.8B

Gross margin (TTM)36.3%

Operating margin (TTM)13.6%

Net margin (TTM)4.7%

SectorMaterials

IndustryConstruction Materials

CountryIE

Data as of2025-12-28

Moat score

74/ 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 James Hardie Industries plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View JHX analysis

Comparison highlights

Moat score gap: James Hardie Industries plc leads (74 / 100 vs 73 / 100 for Keyence Corporation).
Segment focus: Keyence Corporation has 3 segments; James Hardie Industries plc has 4 segments (64.2% in Siding & Trim).
Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
Moat breadth: Keyence Corporation has 7 moat types across 2 domains; James Hardie Industries plc has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Keyence Corporation

Sensors & Safety/Static Control

Market

Industrial sensors and safety/static control for factory automation

Geography

Global

Customer

Manufacturers (production/automation teams) and machine builders

Role

Component OEM and application-solution provider

James Hardie Industries plc

Siding & Trim

Market

North American fiber cement exterior siding & trim (plus related exterior products)

Geography

North America (primarily U.S. and Canada)

Customer

Homebuilders, contractors, remodelers, dealers/distributors, and retailers

Role

Manufacturer / branded building-products supplier

Revenue share

64.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Keyence Corporation

James Hardie Industries plc

Ticker / Exchange

6861.T - Tokyo Stock Exchange

JHX - ASX

Market cap (USD)

$87.6B

$17.8B

Gross margin (TTM)

n/a

36.3%

Operating margin (TTM)

n/a

13.6%

Net margin (TTM)

n/a

4.7%

Sector

Technology

Materials

Industry

n/a

Construction Materials

HQ country

Primary segment

Sensors & Safety/Static Control

Siding & Trim

Market structure

Oligopoly

Quasi-Monopoly

Market share

n/a

88%-92% (estimated)

HHI estimate

n/a

Pricing power

Strong

Moderate

Moat score

73 / 100

74 / 100

Moat domains

Supply, Demand

Last update

2026-01-02

2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Operational ExcellenceDistribution ControlBrand Trust

Keyence Corporation strengths

Service Field NetworkDesign In QualificationLearning Curve YieldScope Economies

James Hardie Industries plc strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleLong Term Contracts

Segment mix

Keyence Corporation segments

Full profile >

Sensors & Safety/Static Control

Oligopoly

n/a

Machine Vision, Code Reading & Laser Marking

Oligopoly

n/a

Metrology & Microscopes

Oligopoly

n/a

James Hardie Industries plc segments

Full profile >

Siding & Trim

Quasi-Monopoly

64.2%

Deck, Rail & Accessories

Oligopoly

11.7%

Australia & New Zealand

Oligopoly

11.6%

Europe

Competitive

12.5%

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.