VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Stock Comparison

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. vs Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

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

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

ACLS · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$4.4B
Gross margin (TTM)44.9%
Operating margin (TTM)14.2%
Net margin (TTM)14.3%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryUS
Data as of2026-04-25
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 Axcelis Technologies, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ACLS analysis

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

ADP · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$80.3B
Gross margin (TTM)48.4%
Operating margin (TTM)18.8%
Net margin (TTM)20%
SectorTechnology
IndustryStaffing & Employment Services
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
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 Automatic Data Processing, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ADP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 64 / 100 for Axcelis Technologies, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has 2 segments (68.1% in Ion implantation systems); Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services).
  • Moat breadth: Axcelis Technologies, Inc. has 7 moat types across 2 domains; Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Ion implantation systems

Market

Global semiconductor ion implantation equipment for wafer fabrication

Geography

Global, concentrated in Asia-Pacific semiconductor fabs

Customer

Semiconductor manufacturers, foundries, IDMs, power-device makers, memory producers and logic fabs

Role

OEM supplier of high current, medium current and high energy ion implantation systems

Revenue share

68.1%

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

Employer Services

Market

Payroll processing and cloud HCM (HR, time, talent, tax, benefits) software and outsourcing

Geography

Global

Customer

Businesses (SMB to large enterprise)

Role

SaaS and managed services provider

Revenue share

67.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ACLS - Nasdaq Global Select Market
ADP - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$4.4B
$80.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
44.9%
48.4%
Operating margin (TTM)
14.2%
18.8%
Net margin (TTM)
14.3%
20%
Sector
Technology
Technology
Industry
Semiconductors
Staffing & Employment Services
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Ion implantation systems
Employer Services
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
19%-21% (estimated)
16.7% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
64 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Demand, Legal, Supply, Financial
Last update
2026-04-25
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationLearning Curve YieldCapex Knowhow ScaleBrand TrustInstalled Base ConsumablesService Field NetworkProcurement Inertia

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths

Switching Costs GeneralCompliance AdvantageScale Economies Unit CostFloat PrepaymentRegulated Standards PipeSuite BundlingUnderwriting Risk Pooling

Segment mix

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Ion implantation systems

Oligopoly

68.1%

Customer Solutions & Innovation aftermarket

Competitive

31.9%

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Employer Services

Oligopoly

67.5%

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services

Competitive

32.5%

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.