VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Atlas Copco AB (publ) vs American Water Works Company, Inc.

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

Atlas Copco AB (publ)

ATCO-A · Nasdaq Stockholm

Market cap (USD)$867.9B
Gross margin (TTM)42.7%
Operating margin (TTM)21%
Net margin (TTM)16.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountrySE
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
63/ 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 Atlas Copco AB (publ)'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ATCO-A analysis

American Water Works Company, Inc.

AWK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorUtilities
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
79/ 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 Water Works Company, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AWK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: American Water Works Company, Inc. leads (79 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for Atlas Copco AB (publ)).
  • Segment focus: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 4 segments (43.8% in Compressor Technique); American Water Works Company, Inc. has 2 segments (91.7% in Regulated Businesses).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 6 moat types across 2 domains; American Water Works Company, Inc. has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

Atlas Copco AB (publ)

Compressor Technique

Market

Industrial compressors, air/gas systems (including air treatment) and related aftermarket service

Geography

Global

Customer

Industrial and process customers; distributors; service-contract customers

Role

Equipment OEM + aftermarket service provider

Revenue share

43.8%

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Regulated Businesses

Market

Regulated water and wastewater utility service in certificated/franchised territories

Geography

United States (14-state footprint)

Customer

Residential, commercial, industrial, public authority, fire service, and sale-for-resale customers

Role

Regulated utility owner/operator (water & wastewater)

Revenue share

91.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Atlas Copco AB (publ)
American Water Works Company, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ATCO-A - Nasdaq Stockholm
AWK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$867.9B
$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
42.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
21%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
16.1%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Utilities
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
n/a
HQ country
SE
US
Primary segment
Compressor Technique
Regulated Businesses
Market structure
Oligopoly
Monopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
63 / 100
79 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-05
2026-01-09

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Atlas Copco AB (publ) strengths

Service Field NetworkData Workflow LockinDesign In QualificationLearning Curve YieldInstalled Base ConsumablesCapacity Moat

American Water Works Company, Inc. strengths

Concession LicensePhysical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayCompliance AdvantageScale Economies Unit CostLong Term ContractsGovernment Contracting RelationshipsOperational Excellence

Segment mix

Atlas Copco AB (publ) segments

Full profile >

Compressor Technique

Oligopoly

43.8%

Vacuum Technique

Oligopoly

22.9%

Industrial Technique

Oligopoly

16.7%

Power Technique

Competitive

16.7%

American Water Works Company, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Regulated Businesses

Monopoly

91.7%

Military and Contract Water Services (Other)

Duopoly

8.3%

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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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.