VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Air Liquide S.A. vs AstraZeneca PLC

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

Air Liquide S.A.

AI · Euronext Paris

Market cap (USD)$91.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorMaterials
IndustryChemicals - Specialty
CountryFR
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
58/ 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 Air Liquide S.A.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AI analysis

AstraZeneca PLC

AZN · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$220.4B
Gross margin (TTM)75.2%
Operating margin (TTM)22%
Net margin (TTM)16.3%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - General
CountryGB
Data as of2026-01-02
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 AstraZeneca PLC's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AZN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: AstraZeneca PLC leads (71 / 100 vs 58 / 100 for Air Liquide S.A.).
  • Segment focus: Air Liquide S.A. has 6 segments (44% in Industrial Merchant); AstraZeneca PLC has 6 segments (41% in Oncology).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Air Liquide S.A. has 12 moat types across 3 domains; AstraZeneca PLC has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Air Liquide S.A.

Industrial Merchant

Market

Merchant industrial and medical gases distribution (cylinders, bulk liquids) plus related equipment and services

Geography

Global (local/regional distribution markets)

Customer

SMEs and mid-market industrial customers, contractors, labs, and public sector buyers

Role

Distributor + producer (last-mile logistics, cylinder assets, bulk delivery)

Revenue share

44%

AstraZeneca PLC

Oncology

Market

Innovator oncology therapeutics (branded prescription medicines)

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals, oncology clinics, payers

Role

Innovator biopharmaceutical company

Revenue share

41%

Side-by-side metrics

Air Liquide S.A.
AstraZeneca PLC
Ticker / Exchange
AI - Euronext Paris
AZN - London Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$91.6B
$220.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
75.2%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
22%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
16.3%
Sector
Materials
Healthcare
Industry
Chemicals - Specialty
Drug Manufacturers - General
HQ country
FR
GB
Primary segment
Industrial Merchant
Oncology
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
58 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-08
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

IP Choke PointCapex Knowhow Scale

Air Liquide S.A. strengths

Long Term ContractsPhysical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostDistribution ControlOperational ExcellenceService Field NetworkCompliance AdvantageDesign In QualificationSupply Chain ControlScope Economies

AstraZeneca PLC strengths

Regulated Standards PipeBrand Trust

Segment mix

Air Liquide S.A. segments

Full profile >

Large Industries

Oligopoly

26%

Industrial Merchant

Competitive

44%

Healthcare

Competitive

16%

Electronics

Oligopoly

9%

Engineering & Construction

Competitive

2%

Global Markets & Technologies

Competitive

3%

AstraZeneca PLC segments

Full profile >

Oncology

Oligopoly

41%

Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM)

Competitive

23%

Respiratory & Immunology (R&I)

Oligopoly

15%

Vaccines & Immune Therapies (V&I)

Oligopoly

3%

Rare Disease

Oligopoly

16%

Other Medicines

Competitive

2%

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.