VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Stock Comparison
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Merck & Co., 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 analysisMerck & Co., Inc.
MRK · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MRK analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score: both at 71 / 100.
- Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 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%
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceutical
Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines
Global
Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics
R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer
89.5%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. strengths
Merck & Co., Inc. strengths
Segment mix
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments
Full profile >Employer Services
Oligopoly
Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services
Competitive
Merck & Co., Inc. segments
Full profile >Pharmaceutical
Competitive
Animal Health
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.