VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. vs Auto Trader Group plc

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

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

APD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$58.7B
Gross margin (TTM)31.4%
Operating margin (TTM)-7.3%
Net margin (TTM)-3.3%
SectorMaterials
IndustryChemicals - Specialty
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-27
Moat score
70/ 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 Products and Chemicals, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View APD analysis

Auto Trader Group plc

AUTO · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorCommunication Services
Industry
CountryGB
Data as of2026-01-10
Moat score
96/ 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 Auto Trader Group plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AUTO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Auto Trader Group plc leads (96 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has 3 segments (51.3% in On-site industrial gases (incl. pipelines)); Auto Trader Group plc has 2 segments (93.3% in Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Auto Trader Group plc has 4 across 2.

Primary market context

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

On-site industrial gases (incl. pipelines)

Market

On-site supply of industrial gases (oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.)

Geography

Global

Customer

Large-volume industrial customers (refining, chemicals, metals, electronics)

Role

Producer / operator of on-site plants and pipeline networks

Revenue share

51.3%

Auto Trader Group plc

Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)

Market

UK digital automotive marketplace (new & used) with retailer advertising/data products

Geography

United Kingdom

Customer

Consumers, vehicle retailers, OEMs/advertising agencies

Role

Two-sided marketplace + advertising/data & workflow tools

Revenue share

93.3%

Side-by-side metrics

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Auto Trader Group plc
Ticker / Exchange
APD - New York Stock Exchange
AUTO - London Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$58.7B
n/a
Gross margin (TTM)
31.4%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
-7.3%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
-3.3%
n/a
Sector
Materials
Communication Services
Industry
Chemicals - Specialty
n/a
HQ country
US
GB
Primary segment
On-site industrial gases (incl. pipelines)
Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
75%-80% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Strong
Moat score
70 / 100
96 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Network, Demand
Last update
2025-12-27
2026-01-10

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. strengths

Long Term ContractsPermits Rights Of WayCapex Knowhow ScalePhysical Network DensityInstalled Base ConsumablesOperational Excellence

Auto Trader Group plc strengths

Two Sided NetworkData Workflow LockinHabit DefaultEcosystem Complements

Segment mix

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. segments

Full profile >

On-site industrial gases (incl. pipelines)

Oligopoly

51.3%

Merchant gases (liquid bulk + packaged)

Competitive

44.3%

Industrial gases equipment (cryogenic & gas processing)

Competitive

4.3%

Auto Trader Group plc segments

Full profile >

Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)

Quasi-Monopoly

93.3%

Autorama (vehicle leasing marketplace)

Competitive

6.7%

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.