VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

AutoZone, Inc. vs Northrop Grumman Corporation

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

AutoZone, Inc.

AZO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$56.3B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
59/ 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 AutoZone, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View AZO analysis

Northrop Grumman Corporation

NOC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$83.1B
SectorIndustrials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-26
Moat score
72/ 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 Northrop Grumman Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NOC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Northrop Grumman Corporation leads (72 / 100 vs 59 / 100 for AutoZone, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: AutoZone, Inc. has 2 segments (88% in U.S. Auto Parts Retail & Commercial Distribution); Northrop Grumman Corporation has 4 segments (28.7% in Aeronautics Systems).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: AutoZone, Inc. has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Northrop Grumman Corporation has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

AutoZone, Inc.

U.S. Auto Parts Retail & Commercial Distribution

Market

U.S. automotive aftermarket replacement parts & accessories retail and commercial distribution

Geography

United States

Customer

DIY consumers; professional repair shops (DIFM)

Role

Retailer and distributor

Revenue share

88%

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Aeronautics Systems

Market

Military aircraft systems (manned & unmanned) plus sustainment/modernization

Geography

Global (primarily United States and allies)

Customer

U.S. government and allied governments

Role

Prime contractor and major subsystem supplier

Revenue share

28.7%

Side-by-side metrics

AutoZone, Inc.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
AZO - New York Stock Exchange
NOC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$56.3B
$83.1B
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
U.S. Auto Parts Retail & Commercial Distribution
Aeronautics Systems
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
59 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Financial
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2025-12-26

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

AutoZone, Inc. strengths

Distribution ControlPhysical Network DensityService Field NetworkOperational ExcellenceBrand TrustNegative Working Capital

Northrop Grumman Corporation strengths

Government Contracting RelationshipsDesign In QualificationCompliance AdvantageCapacity MoatSwitching Costs GeneralCapex Knowhow Scale

Segment mix

AutoZone, Inc. segments

Full profile >

U.S. Auto Parts Retail & Commercial Distribution

Competitive

88%

International Auto Parts Retail & Commercial Distribution (Mexico & Brazil)

Competitive

12%

Northrop Grumman Corporation segments

Full profile >

Aeronautics Systems

Oligopoly

28.7%

Defense Systems

Oligopoly

18.8%

Mission Systems

Oligopoly

24.9%

Space Systems

Oligopoly

27.6%

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.