VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Stock Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Costco Wholesale Corporation
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 analysisCostco Wholesale Corporation
COST · Nasdaq Global Select Market
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Costco Wholesale Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View COST analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.).
- Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
- Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 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%
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Warehouse club retail
Membership warehouse club retail (warehouse clubs, ancillary services, and e-commerce)
Global
Households and small businesses
Retailer (membership club)
98.1%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths
Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths
Segment mix
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments
Full profile >Employer Services
Oligopoly
Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services
Competitive
Costco Wholesale Corporation segments
Full profile >Warehouse club retail
Oligopoly
Membership fees (subscription)
Oligopoly
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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.