VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. vs Starbucks Corporation

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

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$96.7B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Starbucks Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SBUX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Starbucks Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 2 segments (67.5% in Employer Services); Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Starbucks Corporation has 7 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%

Starbucks Corporation

North America

Market

Branded coffeehouse retail (company-operated + licensed)

Geography

U.S. and Canada

Customer

Consumers

Role

Retailer / brand owner

Revenue share

73.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
Starbucks Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ADP - NASDAQ
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$105B
$96.7B
Sector
Technology
Consumer
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Employer Services
North America
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
16.7% (reported)
35%-40% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply, Financial
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-30
2025-12-31

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

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultPhysical Network DensityOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual ExclusivityScope Economies

Segment mix

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Employer Services

Oligopoly

67.5%

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Services

Competitive

32.5%

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.