VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Stock Comparison

Agilent Technologies, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc.

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

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

A · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$34.8B
Gross margin (TTM)52.4%
Operating margin (TTM)21.3%
Net margin (TTM)18.8%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Diagnostics & Research
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
Moat score
65/ 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 Agilent Technologies, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View A analysis

Merck & Co., Inc.

MRK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$305.4B
Gross margin (TTM)81.5%
Operating margin (TTM)41.2%
Net margin (TTM)28.1%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - General
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
Moat score
71/ 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 Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MRK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Merck & Co., Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Agilent Technologies, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Agilent Technologies, Inc. has 3 segments (41.9% in Agilent CrossLab); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Competitive. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Agilent Technologies, Inc. has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 across 3.

Primary market context

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Agilent CrossLab

Market

Laboratory services, compliance/maintenance, consumables and lab informatics across the lab workflow

Geography

Global

Customer

B2B (installed base labs across pharma, diagnostics, academia and applied markets)

Role

Aftermarket services + consumables + informatics

Revenue share

41.9%

Merck & Co., Inc.

Pharmaceutical

Market

Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines

Geography

Global

Customer

Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics

Role

R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer

Revenue share

89.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
A - New York Stock Exchange
MRK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$34.8B
$305.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
52.4%
81.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
21.3%
41.2%
Net margin (TTM)
18.8%
28.1%
Sector
Healthcare
Healthcare
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Drug Manufacturers - General
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Agilent CrossLab
Pharmaceutical
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
65 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-22
2025-12-22

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow Lockin

Agilent Technologies, Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationInstalled Base ConsumablesBrand TrustService Field Network

Merck & Co., Inc. strengths

IP Choke PointRegulated Standards PipeCapex Knowhow ScaleScope Economies

Segment mix

Agilent Technologies, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets

Oligopoly

39.2%

Agilent CrossLab

Competitive

41.9%

Applied Markets

Oligopoly

18.9%

Merck & Co., Inc. segments

Full profile >

Pharmaceutical

Competitive

89.5%

Animal Health

Oligopoly

9.2%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.