VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Stock Comparison

Auto Trader Group plc vs Spirax Group plc

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

Spirax Group plc

SPX · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$5.2B
Gross margin (TTM)19.6%
Operating margin (TTM)17.2%
Net margin (TTM)10.7%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryGB
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
71/ 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 Spirax Group plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SPX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Auto Trader Group plc leads (96 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Spirax Group plc).
  • Segment focus: Auto Trader Group plc has 2 segments (93.3% in Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)); Spirax Group plc has 3 segments (52.1% in Steam Thermal Solutions).
  • 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; Spirax Group plc has 6 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%

Spirax Group plc

Steam Thermal Solutions

Market

Industrial and commercial steam systems (condensate management, controls, thermal energy management products and solutions)

Geography

Global

Customer

Industrial process operators and commercial facility operators

Role

OEM / solutions provider

Revenue share

52.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Auto Trader Group plc
Spirax Group plc
Ticker / Exchange
AUTO - London Stock Exchange
SPX - London Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$5.2B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
19.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
17.2%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
10.7%
Sector
Communication Services
Industrials
Industry
n/a
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
GB
GB
Primary segment
Autotrader (UK automotive marketplace & data platform)
Steam Thermal Solutions
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
75%-80% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
96 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-10
2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Auto Trader Group plc strengths

Two Sided NetworkData Workflow LockinHabit DefaultEcosystem Complements

Spirax Group plc strengths

Service Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesBrand TrustCapex Knowhow ScaleDesign In QualificationSuite Bundling

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%

Spirax Group plc segments

Full profile >

Steam Thermal Solutions

Oligopoly

52.1%

Electric Thermal Solutions

Competitive

24.3%

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

Oligopoly

23.6%

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.