VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Air Liquide S.A. vs Sanofi

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

Sanofi

SAN · Euronext Paris

Market cap (USD)$102.9B
Gross margin (TTM)72%
Operating margin (TTM)18.7%
Net margin (TTM)20.2%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - General
CountryFR
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
74/ 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 Sanofi's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SAN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Sanofi leads (74 / 100 vs 58 / 100 for Air Liquide S.A.).
  • Segment focus: Air Liquide S.A. has 6 segments (44% in Industrial Merchant); Sanofi has 3 segments (79.8% in Pharma (Prescription Medicines)).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Air Liquide S.A. has 12 moat types across 3 domains; Sanofi has 5 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%

Sanofi

Pharma (Prescription Medicines)

Market

Branded prescription pharmaceuticals (immunology, rare disease, neurology, oncology, general medicines)

Geography

Global

Customer

Patients via payers/providers and channel partners (wholesalers, pharmacies, hospitals)

Role

Research-based drug developer, manufacturer, and marketer

Revenue share

79.8%

Side-by-side metrics

Air Liquide S.A.
Sanofi
Ticker / Exchange
AI - Euronext Paris
SAN - Euronext Paris
Market cap (USD)
$91.6B
$102.9B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
72%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
18.7%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
20.2%
Sector
Materials
Healthcare
Industry
Chemicals - Specialty
Drug Manufacturers - General
HQ country
FR
FR
Primary segment
Industrial Merchant
Pharma (Prescription Medicines)
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
58 / 100
74 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-08
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Distribution ControlIP Choke Point

Air Liquide S.A. strengths

Long Term ContractsPhysical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostOperational ExcellenceService Field NetworkCompliance AdvantageDesign In QualificationSupply Chain ControlCapex Knowhow ScaleScope Economies

Sanofi strengths

Regulated Standards PipeLearning Curve YieldBrand 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%

Sanofi segments

Full profile >

Pharma (Prescription Medicines)

Oligopoly

79.8%

Vaccines

Oligopoly

20.2%

Opella (Consumer Healthcare - Sanofi minority stake)

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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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.