VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

ASML Holding N.V. vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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)$422.1B
Gross margin (TTM)52.7%
Operating margin (TTM)34.9%
Net margin (TTM)29.4%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
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

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 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)); Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Moat breadth: ASML Holding N.V. has 6 moat types across 2 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

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%

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

ASML Holding N.V.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
ASML - Euronext Amsterdam
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$422.1B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
52.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
34.9%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
29.4%
n/a
Sector
Technology
Healthcare
Industry
Semiconductors
Biotechnology
HQ country
NL
US
Primary segment
Installed Base Management (service, upgrades, field options)
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Strong
Moat score
76 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-21
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralService Field Network

ASML Holding N.V. strengths

Supply Chain ControlCapex Knowhow ScaleBrand TrustInstalled Base Consumables

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

IP Choke PointGovernment Contracting RelationshipsBenchmark Pricing PowerRegulated Standards PipeCapacity Moat

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%

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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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.