VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Unicharm Corporation vs American Water Works Company, Inc.

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

Unicharm Corporation

8113 · Tokyo Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$1.6T
Gross margin (TTM)38.5%
Operating margin (TTM)12.9%
Net margin (TTM)8.6%
SectorConsumer
IndustryHousehold & Personal Products
CountryJP
Data as of2025-12-29
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 Unicharm Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 8113 analysis

American Water Works Company, Inc.

AWK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorUtilities
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
79/ 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 American Water Works Company, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AWK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: American Water Works Company, Inc. leads (79 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Unicharm Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Unicharm Corporation has 5 segments; American Water Works Company, Inc. has 2 segments (91.7% in Regulated Businesses).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Unicharm Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; American Water Works Company, Inc. has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

Unicharm Corporation

Baby and Child Care Products

Market

Disposable baby diapers and baby wipes

Geography

Japan, Asia, Middle East, and selected other markets

Customer

Consumers (parents/caregivers)

Role

Branded manufacturer

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Regulated Businesses

Market

Regulated water and wastewater utility service in certificated/franchised territories

Geography

United States (14-state footprint)

Customer

Residential, commercial, industrial, public authority, fire service, and sale-for-resale customers

Role

Regulated utility owner/operator (water & wastewater)

Revenue share

91.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Unicharm Corporation
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
8113 - Tokyo Stock Exchange
AWK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$1.6T
$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
38.5%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
12.9%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
8.6%
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Utilities
Industry
Household & Personal Products
n/a
HQ country
JP
US
Primary segment
Baby and Child Care Products
Regulated Businesses
Market structure
Oligopoly
Monopoly
Market share
35%-84% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
79 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-09

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Operational Excellence

Unicharm Corporation strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlCapex Knowhow ScaleHabit DefaultTraining Org Change CostsIP Choke Point

American Water Works Company, Inc. strengths

Concession LicensePhysical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayCompliance AdvantageScale Economies Unit CostLong Term ContractsGovernment Contracting Relationships

Segment mix

Unicharm Corporation segments

Full profile >

Baby and Child Care Products

Oligopoly

n/a

Feminine Care Products

Oligopoly

n/a

Wellness Care Products (Adult Incontinence)

Oligopoly

n/a

Pet Care Products

Competitive

n/a

Industrial Materials and Other Businesses

Competitive

n/a

American Water Works Company, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Regulated Businesses

Monopoly

91.7%

Military and Contract Water Services (Other)

Duopoly

8.3%

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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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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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.