VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Abbott Laboratories vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

Abbott Laboratories

ABT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$215.9B
Gross margin (TTM)54%
Operating margin (TTM)17.7%
Net margin (TTM)31.9%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
64/ 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 Abbott Laboratories's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ABT analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Norfolk Southern Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 64 / 100 for Abbott Laboratories).
  • Segment focus: Abbott Laboratories has 7 segments (26.7% in Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Abbott Laboratories has 10 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Abbott Laboratories

Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices

Market

Cardiovascular, electrophysiology, rhythm management, structural heart and heart failure devices

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, cardiologists/electrophysiologists

Role

Implantable device manufacturer

Revenue share

26.7%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Abbott Laboratories
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ABT - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$215.9B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
54%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
17.7%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
31.9%
n/a
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
64 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scale Economies Unit Cost

Abbott Laboratories strengths

Brand TrustProcurement InertiaInstalled Base ConsumablesData Workflow LockinGovernment Contracting RelationshipsCompliance AdvantageDistribution ControlTraining Org Change CostsIP Choke Point

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WaySwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Abbott Laboratories segments

Full profile >

Established Pharmaceutical Products

Competitive

12.4%

Diagnostic Products

Oligopoly

22.3%

Pediatric Nutrition

Oligopoly

9.6%

Adult Nutrition

Oligopoly

10.5%

Diabetes Care (CGM & glucose monitoring)

Duopoly

16.2%

Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices

Oligopoly

26.7%

Neuromodulation Devices

Oligopoly

2.3%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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.