VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

American Tower Corporation vs McDonald's Corporation

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

American Tower Corporation

AMT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
SectorReal Estate
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
76/ 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 American Tower Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AMT analysis

McDonald's Corporation

MCD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$221.3B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
80/ 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 McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCD analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: McDonald's Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 76 / 100 for American Tower Corporation).
  • Segment focus: American Tower Corporation has 3 segments; McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: American Tower Corporation has 6 moat types across 4 domains; McDonald's Corporation has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

American Tower Corporation

U.S. & Canada Communications Sites

Market

Wireless communications site leasing (macro towers, rooftops and DAS)

Geography

United States and Canada

Customer

Wireless carriers and other tenants (broadcast, data, government/municipal)

Role

Independent owner/operator of communications real estate (towerco)

McDonald's Corporation

International Operated Markets

Market

Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)

Geography

International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)

Customer

Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)

Role

Franchisor / restaurant operator

Revenue share

48.7%

Side-by-side metrics

American Tower Corporation
McDonald's Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
AMT - New York Stock Exchange
MCD - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$221.3B
Sector
Real Estate
Consumer
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
U.S. & Canada Communications Sites
International Operated Markets
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
76 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply, Network
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Long Term ContractsPhysical Network Density

American Tower Corporation strengths

Permits Rights Of WaySwitching Costs GeneralInteroperability HubCapacity Moat

McDonald's Corporation strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlOperational Excellence

Segment mix

American Tower Corporation segments

Full profile >

U.S. & Canada Communications Sites

Oligopoly

n/a

International Communications Sites

Oligopoly

n/a

Data Centers

Competitive

n/a

McDonald's Corporation segments

Full profile >

U.S.

Competitive

41%

International Operated Markets

Competitive

48.7%

International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate

Competitive

10.3%

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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.