VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Stock Comparison

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

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

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

LHX · NYSE

Market cap (USD)$55.9B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
72/ 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 L3Harris Technologies, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View LHX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: L3Harris Technologies, Inc. leads (72 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has 4 segments (31.9% in Space & Airborne Systems).
  • Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has 8 across 3.

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%

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Space & Airborne Systems

Market

Defense & intelligence space and airborne mission systems (payloads, sensors, avionics, mission networks)

Geography

Global (U.S.-centric demand)

Customer

Government defense/intelligence agencies, prime contractors, and allied governments

Role

Prime contractor / subsystem integrator

Revenue share

31.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ADP - NASDAQ
LHX - NYSE
Market cap (USD)
$102.7B
$55.9B
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
Space & Airborne Systems
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
16.7% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply, Financial
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralCompliance Advantage

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostFloat PrepaymentRegulated Standards PipeSuite BundlingUnderwriting Risk Pooling

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. strengths

Government Contracting RelationshipsDesign In QualificationCapex Knowhow ScaleProcurement InertiaCapacity MoatKeystone Component

Segment mix

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Employer Services

Oligopoly

67.5%

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services

Competitive

32.5%

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Space & Airborne Systems

Oligopoly

31.9%

Integrated Mission Systems

Oligopoly

31.8%

Communication Systems

Oligopoly

25.4%

Aerojet Rocketdyne

Duopoly

10.9%

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.