VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stock Comparison

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Emerson Electric Co.

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)$102.7B
Gross margin (TTM)49.3%
Operating margin (TTM)19.2%
Net margin (TTM)19.8%
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

Emerson Electric Co.

EMR · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$76.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Emerson Electric Co.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View EMR analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Emerson Electric Co.).
  • Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Emerson Electric Co. has 6 segments (24.2% in Final Control).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Emerson Electric Co. has 10 across 4.

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%

Emerson Electric Co.

Final Control

Market

Industrial control valves, isolation/shutoff valves, pressure relief & safety valves, actuators and regulators

Geography

Global

Customer

Process & hybrid manufacturers

Role

Automation components supplier

Revenue share

24.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Emerson Electric Co.
Ticker / Exchange
ADP - NASDAQ
EMR - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$102.7B
$76.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
49.3%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
19.2%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
19.8%
n/a
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
Staffing & Employment Services
n/a
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Employer Services
Final Control
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
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply, Financial
Demand, Supply, Legal, Network
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Compliance AdvantageSuite Bundling

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths

Switching Costs GeneralScale Economies Unit CostFloat PrepaymentRegulated Standards PipeUnderwriting Risk Pooling

Emerson Electric Co. strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesService Field NetworkBrand TrustDesign In QualificationDistribution ControlData Workflow LockinEcosystem ComplementsInteroperability Hub

Segment mix

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Employer Services

Oligopoly

67.5%

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services

Competitive

32.5%

Emerson Electric Co. segments

Full profile >

Final Control

Oligopoly

24.2%

Measurement & Analytical

Oligopoly

22.9%

Discrete Automation

Competitive

13.9%

Safety & Productivity

Competitive

7.5%

Control Systems & Software

Oligopoly

23.2%

Test & Measurement

Competitive

8.2%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

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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.