VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Atlas Copco AB (publ) vs Ecolab 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)$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

Ecolab Inc.

ECL · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$74.6B
Gross margin (TTM)44.3%
Operating margin (TTM)17.3%
Net margin (TTM)12.5%
SectorMaterials
IndustryChemicals - Specialty
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
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 Ecolab Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ECL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 63 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 4 segments (43.8% in Compressor Technique); Ecolab Inc. has 4 segments (49.5% in Global Industrial).
  • Moat breadth: Atlas Copco AB (publ) has 6 moat types across 2 domains; Ecolab Inc. has 7 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%

Ecolab Inc.

Global Industrial

Market

Industrial water treatment & process chemistry (incl. food & beverage processing and pulp & paper process aids)

Geography

Global

Customer

B2B

Role

formulator + on-site service/optimization provider

Revenue share

49.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Atlas Copco AB (publ)
Ecolab Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ATCO-A - Nasdaq Stockholm
ECL - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$839.9B
$74.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
42.7%
44.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
21%
17.3%
Net margin (TTM)
16.1%
12.5%
Sector
Industrials
Materials
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
Chemicals - Specialty
HQ country
SE
US
Primary segment
Compressor Technique
Global Industrial
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
63 / 100
63 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2026-01-05
2026-01-01

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Service Field NetworkData Workflow LockinInstalled Base Consumables

Atlas Copco AB (publ) strengths

Design In QualificationLearning Curve YieldCapacity Moat

Ecolab Inc. strengths

Compliance AdvantageLong Term ContractsTraining Org Change CostsBrand Trust

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%

Ecolab Inc. segments

Full profile >

Global Industrial

Oligopoly

49.5%

Global Institutional & Specialty

Oligopoly

34.1%

Global Healthcare & Life Sciences

Oligopoly

9%

Global Pest Elimination

Oligopoly

7.4%

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.