VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Keyence Corporation vs Philip Morris International Inc.

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

Philip Morris International Inc.

PM · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$251.2B
Gross margin (TTM)66.3%
Operating margin (TTM)37.7%
Net margin (TTM)21.6%
SectorConsumer
IndustryTobacco
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
84/ 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 Philip Morris International Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PM analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Philip Morris International Inc. leads (84 / 100 vs 73 / 100 for Keyence Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Keyence Corporation has 3 segments; Philip Morris International Inc. has 3 segments (61.3% in Combustible Tobacco).
  • Moat breadth: Keyence Corporation has 7 moat types across 2 domains; Philip Morris International Inc. 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

Philip Morris International Inc.

Combustible Tobacco

Market

International combustible tobacco (primarily cigarettes)

Geography

Global (primarily ex-U.S.)

Customer

Adult smokers; distributors/wholesalers and retail channels

Role

Branded manufacturer and distributor

Revenue share

61.3%

Side-by-side metrics

Keyence Corporation
Philip Morris International Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
6861.T - Tokyo Stock Exchange
PM - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$87.6B
$251.2B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
66.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
37.7%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
21.6%
Sector
Technology
Consumer
Industry
n/a
Tobacco
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Sensors & Safety/Static Control
Combustible Tobacco
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
25.3% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Strong
Moat score
73 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-02
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Distribution ControlBrand Trust

Keyence Corporation strengths

Service Field NetworkDesign In QualificationLearning Curve YieldOperational ExcellenceScope Economies

Philip Morris International Inc. strengths

Compliance AdvantageInstalled Base ConsumablesIP Choke PointRegulated Standards Pipe

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

Philip Morris International Inc. segments

Full profile >

Combustible Tobacco

Oligopoly

61.3%

Smoke-Free Products

Oligopoly

37.8%

Wellness & Healthcare

Competitive

0.9%

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.