VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Diageo plc

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

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

ADP · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$105B
SectorTechnology
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

Diageo plc

DGE · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$48B
SectorConsumer
CountryGB
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
77/ 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 Diageo plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DGE analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Diageo plc leads (77 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Diageo plc has 3 segments (76% in Spirits).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Diageo plc has 3 across 2.

Primary market context

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%

Diageo plc

Spirits

Market

Branded premium spirits (whisky, tequila, vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers via off-trade retailers and on-trade outlets; distributors/wholesalers and key accounts

Role

Brand owner and producer with route-to-market execution

Revenue share

76%

Side-by-side metrics

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Diageo plc
Ticker / Exchange
ADP - NASDAQ
DGE - London Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$105B
$48B
Sector
Technology
Consumer
HQ country
US
GB
Primary segment
Employer Services
Spirits
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
16.7% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
71 / 100
77 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply, Financial
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-30
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths

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

Diageo plc strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlCapacity Moat

Segment mix

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Employer Services

Oligopoly

67.5%

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services

Competitive

32.5%

Diageo plc segments

Full profile >

Spirits

Oligopoly

76%

Beer (Guinness and other beers)

Oligopoly

18%

Ready-to-Drink (RTDs)

Competitive

4%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.