VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Stock Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
ADP · NASDAQ
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 analysisCadence Design Systems, Inc.
CDNS · NASDAQ
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Cadence Design Systems, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View CDNS analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. leads (84 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.).
- Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 3 segments (71% in Core EDA).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
- Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 8 across 3.
Primary market context
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Employer Services
Payroll processing and cloud HCM (HR, time, talent, tax, benefits) software and outsourcing
Global
Businesses (SMB to large enterprise)
SaaS and managed services provider
67.5%
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Core EDA
Electronic design automation tools for semiconductor IC design and verification (digital, custom/analog, signoff, functional verification)
Global
Semiconductor designers (fabless and IDMs) and system companies with in-house silicon teams
Tool vendor / workflow platform
71%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. strengths
Segment mix
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments
Full profile >Employer Services
Oligopoly
Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services
Competitive
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. segments
Full profile >Core EDA
Oligopoly
Semiconductor IP
Oligopoly
System Design and Analysis
Competitive
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.