VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Auto Trader Group plc vs Mastercard Incorporated

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

Mastercard Incorporated

MA · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$516.8B
Gross margin (TTM)77.5%
Operating margin (TTM)57%
Net margin (TTM)45.3%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Credit Services
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-21
Moat score
77/ 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 Mastercard Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MA analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Auto Trader Group plc leads (96 / 100 vs 77 / 100 for Mastercard Incorporated).
  • Segment focus: Auto Trader Group plc has 2 segments (93.3% in Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)); Mastercard Incorporated has 2 segments (61.5% in Payment Network).
  • 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; Mastercard Incorporated has 6 across 3.

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%

Mastercard Incorporated

Payment Network

Market

Four-party card payment network (switching, acceptance, and network-related services)

Geography

Global

Customer

Issuers, acquirers, merchants, account holders

Role

Network operator (authorization, clearing, settlement) and rules/standards steward

Revenue share

61.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Auto Trader Group plc
Mastercard Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
AUTO - London Stock Exchange
MA - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$516.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
77.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
57%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
45.3%
Sector
Communication Services
Financials
Industry
n/a
Financial - Credit Services
HQ country
GB
US
Primary segment
Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)
Payment Network
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
75%-80% (reported)
29.7% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
96 / 100
77 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand
Network, Demand, Legal
Last update
2026-01-10
2025-12-21

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Two Sided NetworkData Workflow Lockin

Auto Trader Group plc strengths

Habit DefaultEcosystem Complements

Mastercard Incorporated strengths

Clearing SettlementBrand TrustRegulated Standards PipeData Network Effects

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%

Mastercard Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Payment Network

Oligopoly

61.5%

Value-Added Services and Solutions

Competitive

38.5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.