VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Stock Comparison

Keyence Corporation vs Nestle S.A.

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

Nestle S.A.

NESN · SIX Swiss Exchange

Market cap (USD)$202.6B
Gross margin (TTM)46.8%
Operating margin (TTM)15.5%
Net margin (TTM)11.8%
SectorConsumer
IndustryPackaged Foods
CountryCH
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
57/ 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 Nestle S.A.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NESN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Keyence Corporation leads (73 / 100 vs 57 / 100 for Nestle S.A.).
  • Segment focus: Keyence Corporation has 3 segments; Nestle S.A. has 7 segments (26.9% in Powdered and Liquid Beverages).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Keyence Corporation has 7 moat types across 2 domains; Nestle S.A. has 6 across 3.

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

Nestle S.A.

Powdered and Liquid Beverages

Market

Packaged coffee (instant, roast and ground, portioned) and other powdered beverages (cocoa/malt, creamers)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users) via retail and e-commerce; plus out-of-home channels

Role

Branded manufacturer and marketer; system operator for portioned coffee (machines + capsules)

Revenue share

26.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Keyence Corporation
Nestle S.A.
Ticker / Exchange
6861.T - Tokyo Stock Exchange
NESN - SIX Swiss Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$87.6B
$202.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
46.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
15.5%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
11.8%
Sector
Technology
Consumer
Industry
n/a
Packaged Foods
HQ country
JP
CH
Primary segment
Sensors & Safety/Static Control
Powdered and Liquid Beverages
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
25% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
73 / 100
57 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-02
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Learning Curve YieldDistribution ControlBrand Trust

Keyence Corporation strengths

Service Field NetworkDesign In QualificationOperational ExcellenceScope Economies

Nestle S.A. strengths

Preferential Input AccessInstalled Base ConsumablesCompliance Advantage

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

Nestle S.A. segments

Full profile >

Powdered and Liquid Beverages

Oligopoly

26.9%

PetCare

Oligopoly

20.7%

Nutrition and Health Science

Oligopoly

16.6%

Prepared dishes and cooking aids

Competitive

11.7%

Milk products and Ice cream

Competitive

11.4%

Confectionery

Oligopoly

9.2%

Water

Competitive

3.5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.