VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Abbott Laboratories vs Watsco, Inc.

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)$220.1B
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

Watsco, Inc.

WSO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)10.2%
Net margin (TTM)7.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
72/ 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 Watsco, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View WSO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Watsco, Inc. leads (72 / 100 vs 64 / 100 for Abbott Laboratories).
  • Segment focus: Abbott Laboratories has 7 segments (26.7% in Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices); Watsco, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in HVAC/R Distribution).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Abbott Laboratories has 10 moat types across 3 domains; Watsco, Inc. 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%

Watsco, Inc.

HVAC/R Distribution

Market

HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies distribution

Geography

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico; export to Latin America/Caribbean)

Customer

Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors (residential & commercial)

Role

Wholesale distributor

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Abbott Laboratories
Watsco, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ABT - New York Stock Exchange
WSO - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$220.1B
$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
54%
28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
17.7%
10.2%
Net margin (TTM)
31.9%
7.4%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular & Electrophysiology Devices
HVAC/R Distribution
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
9%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
64 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinScale Economies Unit Cost

Abbott Laboratories strengths

Brand TrustProcurement InertiaInstalled Base ConsumablesGovernment Contracting RelationshipsCompliance AdvantageDistribution ControlTraining Org Change CostsIP Choke Point

Watsco, Inc. strengths

Physical Network DensityContractual Exclusivity

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%

Watsco, Inc. segments

Full profile >

HVAC/R Distribution

Competitive

100%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.