VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Stock Comparison

ASML Holding N.V. vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

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

ASML Holding N.V.

ASML · Euronext Amsterdam

Market cap (USD)$417.7B
SectorTechnology
CountryNL
Data as of2025-12-21
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 ASML Holding N.V.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ASML analysis

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

CDNS · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$86.5B
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
84/ 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 Cadence Design Systems, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CDNS analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. leads (84 / 100 vs 76 / 100 for ASML Holding N.V.).
  • Segment focus: ASML Holding N.V. has 3 segments (23% in Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)); Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 3 segments (71% in Core EDA).
  • Primary market structure: Quasi-Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: ASML Holding N.V. has 6 moat types across 2 domains; Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

ASML Holding N.V.

Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)

Market

Service, upgrades and field options for installed ASML lithography tools

Geography

Global

Customer

Owners/operators of ASML lithography systems

Role

Aftermarket service provider

Revenue share

23%

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Core EDA

Market

Electronic design automation tools for semiconductor IC design and verification (digital, custom/analog, signoff, functional verification)

Geography

Global

Customer

Semiconductor designers (fabless and IDMs) and system companies with in-house silicon teams

Role

Tool vendor / workflow platform

Revenue share

71%

Side-by-side metrics

ASML Holding N.V.
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ASML - Euronext Amsterdam
CDNS - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$417.7B
$86.5B
Sector
Technology
Technology
HQ country
NL
US
Primary segment
Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)
Core EDA
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
29%-31% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Strong
Moat score
76 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-21
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Capex Knowhow ScaleService Field NetworkInstalled Base Consumables

ASML Holding N.V. strengths

Supply Chain ControlBrand TrustSwitching Costs General

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. strengths

Data Workflow LockinSuite BundlingLong Term ContractsDesign In QualificationIP Choke Point

Segment mix

ASML Holding N.V. segments

Full profile >

EUV lithography systems (incl. High-NA)

Monopoly

n/a

DUV lithography systems

Oligopoly

n/a

Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)

Quasi-Monopoly

23%

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Core EDA

Oligopoly

71%

Semiconductor IP

Oligopoly

13%

System Design and Analysis

Competitive

16%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.