VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. vs TC Energy Corporation

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

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

ATD · Toronto Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$70.7B
Gross margin (TTM)18.5%
Operating margin (TTM)5.3%
Net margin (TTM)3.6%
SectorConsumer
IndustrySpecialty Retail
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
58/ 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 Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ATD analysis

TC Energy Corporation

TRP · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$57.6B
Gross margin (TTM)50.7%
Operating margin (TTM)44.4%
Net margin (TTM)28.2%
SectorEnergy
IndustryOil & Gas Midstream
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-02
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 TC Energy Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View TRP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: TC Energy Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 58 / 100 for Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has 3 segments (74% in Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)); TC Energy Corporation has 4 segments (46.1% in U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has 5 moat types across 2 domains; TC Energy Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)

Market

Road transportation fuel retail (gasoline/diesel) at convenience sites; includes unmanned/automated fuel stations

Geography

North America and Europe (plus select other regions via the network)

Customer

Consumers and small fleets

Role

Fuel retailer and site operator

Revenue share

74%

TC Energy Corporation

U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines

Market

U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline transportation (FERC-regulated)

Geography

United States

Customer

Utilities/LDCs, power generators, LNG/export facilities, industrial users and marketers (as shippers)

Role

Midstream pipeline operator

Revenue share

46.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
TC Energy Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ATD - Toronto Stock Exchange
TRP - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$70.7B
$57.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
18.5%
50.7%
Operating margin (TTM)
5.3%
44.4%
Net margin (TTM)
3.6%
28.2%
Sector
Consumer
Energy
Industry
Specialty Retail
Oil & Gas Midstream
HQ country
CA
CA
Primary segment
Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Weak
Moat score
58 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2026-01-05
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network Density

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. strengths

Operational ExcellenceBrand TrustSupply Chain ControlScope Economies

TC Energy Corporation strengths

Regulated Standards PipeLong Term ContractsGovernment Contracting Relationships

Segment mix

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. segments

Full profile >

Merchandise and services (in-store convenience retail)

Competitive

25.2%

Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)

Competitive

74%

Other revenues (ancillary energy and other income streams)

Competitive

0.8%

TC Energy Corporation segments

Full profile >

Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines

Quasi-Monopoly

40.7%

U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines

Oligopoly

46.1%

Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines

Oligopoly

6.3%

Power and Energy Solutions

Competitive

6.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

View expansion-stage stocks

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.