VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Auckland International Airport Limited vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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)$14.4B
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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

VRTX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
IndustryBiotechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
99/ 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VRTX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated leads (99 / 100 vs 74 / 100 for Auckland International Airport Limited).
  • Segment focus: Auckland International Airport Limited has 3 segments; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Auckland International Airport Limited has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Market

CFTR modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis

Geography

U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada

Customer

Patients (via specialty pharmacies/payers); CF care centers

Role

Drug developer/manufacturer

Revenue share

99.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Auckland International Airport Limited
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
AIA - NZX
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$14.4B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
54.4%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
55%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
23.3%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Airlines, Airports & Air Services
Biotechnology
HQ country
NZ
US
Primary segment
Aeronautical (regulated airport services)
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Monopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
74 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Capacity Moat

Auckland International Airport Limited strengths

Permits Rights Of WayDistribution ControlLong Term ContractsGeographic Natural

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

IP Choke PointGovernment Contracting RelationshipsSwitching Costs GeneralBenchmark Pricing PowerRegulated Standards PipeService Field Network

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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Quasi-Monopoly

99.9%

Hemoglobinopathies Gene Therapy (CASGEVY)

Oligopoly

0.1%

Acute Pain (JOURNAVX)

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.