VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Keyence Corporation vs Nordson Corporation

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

Nordson Corporation

NDSN · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$13.5B
Gross margin (TTM)55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)25.5%
Net margin (TTM)17.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
67/ 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 Nordson Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NDSN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Keyence Corporation leads (73 / 100 vs 67 / 100 for Nordson Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Keyence Corporation has 3 segments; Nordson Corporation has 3 segments (47.7% in Industrial Precision Solutions).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Keyence Corporation has 7 moat types across 2 domains; Nordson Corporation has 6 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

Nordson Corporation

Industrial Precision Solutions

Market

Industrial precision dispensing, coating, and material-processing equipment (adhesives, coatings, sealants, polymers)

Geography

Global

Customer

Manufacturers and converters (packaging, nonwovens/hygiene, automotive, industrial, agriculture)

Role

Capital equipment OEM / process-solution provider

Revenue share

47.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Keyence Corporation
Nordson Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
6861.T - Tokyo Stock Exchange
NDSN - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$87.6B
$13.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
25.5%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
17.4%
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
n/a
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Sensors & Safety/Static Control
Industrial Precision Solutions
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
73 / 100
67 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-02
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Service Field NetworkDesign In Qualification

Keyence Corporation strengths

Learning Curve YieldOperational ExcellenceDistribution ControlScope EconomiesBrand Trust

Nordson Corporation strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleSwitching Costs GeneralInstalled Base ConsumablesData Workflow Lockin

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

Nordson Corporation segments

Full profile >

Industrial Precision Solutions

Oligopoly

47.7%

Medical and Fluid Solutions

Competitive

29.9%

Advanced Technology Solutions

Oligopoly

22.4%

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.