VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

American Water Works Company, Inc. vs Republic Services, Inc.

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

American Water Works Company, Inc.

AWK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$25B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorUtilities
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
79/ 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 American Water Works Company, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AWK analysis

Republic Services, Inc.

RSG · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$66.4B
Gross margin (TTM)30.6%
Operating margin (TTM)20.1%
Net margin (TTM)12.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryWaste Management
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Republic Services, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View RSG analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Republic Services, Inc. leads (80 / 100 vs 79 / 100 for American Water Works Company, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: American Water Works Company, Inc. has 2 segments (91.7% in Regulated Businesses); Republic Services, Inc. has 2 segments (88.5% in Recycling & Waste Services).
  • Primary market structure: Monopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: American Water Works Company, Inc. has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Republic Services, Inc. has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Regulated Businesses

Market

Regulated water and wastewater utility service in certificated/franchised territories

Geography

United States (14-state footprint)

Customer

Residential, commercial, industrial, public authority, fire service, and sale-for-resale customers

Role

Regulated utility owner/operator (water & wastewater)

Revenue share

91.7%

Republic Services, Inc.

Recycling & Waste Services

Market

Integrated non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, landfill disposal & recycling services

Geography

United States and Canada

Customer

Municipal, commercial, industrial

Role

Integrated hauler and disposal operator

Revenue share

88.5%

Side-by-side metrics

American Water Works Company, Inc.
Republic Services, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
AWK - New York Stock Exchange
RSG - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$25B
$66.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
30.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
20.1%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
12.8%
Sector
Utilities
Industrials
Industry
n/a
Waste Management
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Regulated Businesses
Recycling & Waste Services
Market structure
Monopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
12%-15% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
79 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-09
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayCompliance AdvantageLong Term Contracts

American Water Works Company, Inc. strengths

Concession LicenseScale Economies Unit CostGovernment Contracting RelationshipsOperational Excellence

Republic Services, Inc. strengths

Capacity MoatScope EconomiesService Field Network

Segment mix

American Water Works Company, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Regulated Businesses

Monopoly

91.7%

Military and Contract Water Services (Other)

Duopoly

8.3%

Republic Services, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Recycling & Waste Services

Competitive

88.5%

Environmental Solutions

Competitive

11.5%

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.

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.