VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Friday, January 2, 2026
Stock Comparison
AstraZeneca PLC vs Merck & Co., Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
AstraZeneca PLC
AZN · London Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into AstraZeneca PLC's moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View AZN analysisMerck & Co., Inc.
MRK · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MRK analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score: both at 71 / 100.
- Segment focus: AstraZeneca PLC has 6 segments (41% in Oncology); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: AstraZeneca PLC has 4 moat types across 3 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 across 3.
Primary market context
AstraZeneca PLC
Oncology
Innovator oncology therapeutics (branded prescription medicines)
Global
Hospitals, oncology clinics, payers
Innovator biopharmaceutical company
41%
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceutical
Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines
Global
Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics
R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer
89.5%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
AstraZeneca PLC strengths
Merck & Co., Inc. strengths
Segment mix
AstraZeneca PLC segments
Full profile >Oncology
Oligopoly
Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM)
Competitive
Respiratory & Immunology (R&I)
Oligopoly
Vaccines & Immune Therapies (V&I)
Oligopoly
Rare Disease
Oligopoly
Other Medicines
Competitive
Merck & Co., Inc. segments
Full profile >Pharmaceutical
Competitive
Animal Health
Oligopoly
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.