VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Auto Trader Group plc vs The Hershey Company

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

Auto Trader Group plc

AUTO · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorCommunication Services
Industry
CountryGB
Data as of2026-01-10
Moat score
96/ 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 Auto Trader Group plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AUTO analysis

The Hershey Company

HSY · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$38.3B
Gross margin (TTM)37.5%
Operating margin (TTM)16.6%
Net margin (TTM)11.8%
SectorConsumer
IndustryFood Confectioners
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-26
Moat score
75/ 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 The Hershey Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View HSY analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Auto Trader Group plc leads (96 / 100 vs 75 / 100 for The Hershey Company).
  • Segment focus: Auto Trader Group plc has 2 segments (93.3% in Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)); The Hershey Company has 3 segments (81.4% in North America Confectionery).
  • Primary market structure: Quasi-Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Auto Trader Group plc has 4 moat types across 2 domains; The Hershey Company has 4 across 2.

Primary market context

Auto Trader Group plc

Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)

Market

UK digital automotive marketplace (new & used) with retailer advertising/data products

Geography

United Kingdom

Customer

Consumers, vehicle retailers, OEMs/advertising agencies

Role

Two-sided marketplace + advertising/data & workflow tools

Revenue share

93.3%

The Hershey Company

North America Confectionery

Market

Branded chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery

Geography

United States and Canada

Customer

Retail consumers via grocery, mass, club and convenience

Role

Branded manufacturer and marketer

Revenue share

81.4%

Side-by-side metrics

Auto Trader Group plc
The Hershey Company
Ticker / Exchange
AUTO - London Stock Exchange
HSY - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$38.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
37.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
16.6%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
11.8%
Sector
Communication Services
Consumer
Industry
n/a
Food Confectioners
HQ country
GB
US
Primary segment
Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)
North America Confectionery
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
75%-80% (reported)
34%-38% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
96 / 100
75 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand
Demand, Supply
Last update
2026-01-10
2025-12-26

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Auto Trader Group plc strengths

Two Sided NetworkData Workflow LockinHabit DefaultEcosystem Complements

The Hershey Company strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlOperational ExcellenceScope Economies

Segment mix

Auto Trader Group plc segments

Full profile >

Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)

Quasi-Monopoly

93.3%

Autorama (vehicle leasing marketplace)

Competitive

6.7%

The Hershey Company segments

Full profile >

North America Confectionery

Oligopoly

81.4%

North America Salty Snacks

Oligopoly

10.1%

International

Competitive

8.5%

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.