VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Atlas Copco AB (publ) vs Costco Wholesale Corporation

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)$839.9B
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

Costco Wholesale Corporation

COST · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$388.7B
Gross margin (TTM)12.9%
Operating margin (TTM)3.8%
Net margin (TTM)3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryDiscount Stores
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-21
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 Costco Wholesale Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View COST analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for Atlas Copco AB (publ)).
  • Segment focus: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 4 segments (43.8% in Compressor Technique); Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 6 moat types across 2 domains; Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 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%

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Warehouse club retail

Market

Membership warehouse club retail (warehouse clubs, ancillary services, and e-commerce)

Geography

Global

Customer

Households and small businesses

Role

Retailer (membership club)

Revenue share

98.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Atlas Copco AB (publ)
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ATCO-A - Nasdaq Stockholm
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$839.9B
$388.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
42.7%
12.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
21%
3.8%
Net margin (TTM)
16.1%
3%
Sector
Industrials
Consumer
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
Discount Stores
HQ country
SE
US
Primary segment
Compressor Technique
Warehouse club retail
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
63 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Financial, Demand
Last update
2026-01-05
2025-12-21

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

Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostOperational ExcellenceNegative Working CapitalBrand TrustHabit DefaultFloat Prepayment

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%

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.