VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Alcon Inc. vs Stryker Corporation

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

Alcon Inc.

ALC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$39.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
Industry
CountryCH
Data as of2026-01-10
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 Alcon Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ALC analysis

Stryker Corporation

SYK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$140.6B
Gross margin (TTM)62.6%
Operating margin (TTM)21.9%
Net margin (TTM)12.1%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
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 Stryker Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SYK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 71 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Alcon Inc. has 2 segments (56% in Surgical); Stryker Corporation has 2 segments (59.8% in MedSurg and Neurotechnology).
  • Moat breadth: Alcon Inc. has 7 moat types across 3 domains; Stryker Corporation has 5 across 3.

Primary market context

Alcon Inc.

Surgical

Market

Ophthalmic surgical devices (implantables, consumables, equipment) and related service/training

Geography

Global

Customer

Ophthalmic surgeons, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, group purchasing organizations

Role

Medical device OEM with direct service, clinical support, and training

Revenue share

56%

Stryker Corporation

MedSurg and Neurotechnology

Market

Hospital medical devices: surgical equipment and navigation, endoscopy and visualization, patient handling and emergency care, neurosurgical and neurovascular devices

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers; clinicians

Role

Medical device OEM + distributor/service provider

Revenue share

59.8%

Side-by-side metrics

Alcon Inc.
Stryker Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ALC - New York Stock Exchange
SYK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$39.8B
$140.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
62.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
21.9%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
12.1%
Sector
Healthcare
Healthcare
Industry
n/a
Medical - Devices
HQ country
CH
US
Primary segment
Surgical
MedSurg and Neurotechnology
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
40%-46% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2026-01-10
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Service Field NetworkCompliance AdvantageBrand Trust

Alcon Inc. strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesSuite BundlingProcurement InertiaCapex Knowhow Scale

Stryker Corporation strengths

IP Choke PointTraining Org Change Costs

Segment mix

Alcon Inc. segments

Full profile >

Surgical

Oligopoly

56%

Vision Care

Oligopoly

44%

Stryker Corporation segments

Full profile >

MedSurg and Neurotechnology

Oligopoly

59.8%

Orthopaedics

Oligopoly

40.2%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.