VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Auckland International Airport Limited vs Cochlear Limited

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

Auckland International Airport Limited

AIA · NZX

Market cap (USD)$14.3B
Gross margin (TTM)54.4%
Operating margin (TTM)55%
Net margin (TTM)23.3%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAirlines, Airports & Air Services
CountryNZ
Data as of2025-12-28
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 Auckland International Airport Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AIA analysis

Cochlear Limited

COH · ASX

Market cap (USD)$17B
Gross margin (TTM)74.5%
Operating margin (TTM)22.7%
Net margin (TTM)16.2%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryAU
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
81/ 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 Cochlear Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View COH analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Cochlear Limited leads (81 / 100 vs 74 / 100 for Auckland International Airport Limited).
  • Segment focus: Auckland International Airport Limited has 3 segments; Cochlear Limited has 3 segments (62.4% in Cochlear Implants).
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Auckland International Airport Limited has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Cochlear Limited has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

Auckland International Airport Limited

Aeronautical (regulated airport services)

Market

Aeronautical airport services at Auckland Airport (airfield landing/parking, passenger terminal and related charges)

Geography

New Zealand (Auckland catchment)

Customer

Airlines and aviation operators (direct customers); passengers indirectly

Role

Airport infrastructure operator

Cochlear Limited

Cochlear Implants

Market

Cochlear implant systems (internal implant + external sound processors) for severe-to-profound hearing loss

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals/ENT clinics and audiology programs (providers) serving implant candidates/recipients; reimbursed by public/private payers

Role

Medical device OEM / platform owner (implant + processor + fitting software + clinical support)

Revenue share

62.4%

Side-by-side metrics

Auckland International Airport Limited
Cochlear Limited
Ticker / Exchange
AIA - NZX
COH - ASX
Market cap (USD)
$14.3B
$17B
Gross margin (TTM)
54.4%
74.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
55%
22.7%
Net margin (TTM)
23.3%
16.2%
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Medical - Devices
HQ country
NZ
AU
Primary segment
Aeronautical (regulated airport services)
Cochlear Implants
Market structure
Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
60%-65% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
74 / 100
81 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-04

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Auckland International Airport Limited strengths

Permits Rights Of WayCapacity MoatDistribution ControlLong Term ContractsGeographic Natural

Cochlear Limited strengths

Brand TrustCompliance AdvantageCapex Knowhow ScaleIP Choke PointService Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesFormat Lock InData Workflow Lockin

Segment mix

Auckland International Airport Limited segments

Full profile >

Aeronautical (regulated airport services)

Monopoly

n/a

Retail concessions and car parking

Quasi-Monopoly

n/a

Commercial property and precinct development

Competitive

n/a

Cochlear Limited segments

Full profile >

Cochlear Implants

Oligopoly

62.4%

Services

Monopoly

25.9%

Acoustics

Oligopoly

11.7%

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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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.