VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

The Boeing Company vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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

The Boeing Company

BA · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$176.4B
Gross margin (TTM)1.2%
Operating margin (TTM)-10.4%
Net margin (TTM)-12.2%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAerospace & Defense
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-23
Moat score
61/ 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 The Boeing Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View BA analysis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

VRTX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
IndustryBiotechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
99/ 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VRTX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated leads (99 / 100 vs 61 / 100 for The Boeing Company).
  • Segment focus: The Boeing Company has 3 segments (35.8% in Defense, Space & Security (BDS)); Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: The Boeing Company has 9 moat types across 3 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

The Boeing Company

Defense, Space & Security (BDS)

Market

Defense aerospace & space prime contracting (air, space, and mission systems)

Geography

Primarily U.S., with international programs

Customer

U.S. and allied governments; defense agencies

Role

Prime contractor / systems integrator

Revenue share

35.8%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Market

CFTR modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis

Geography

U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada

Customer

Patients (via specialty pharmacies/payers); CF care centers

Role

Drug developer/manufacturer

Revenue share

99.9%

Side-by-side metrics

The Boeing Company
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
BA - New York Stock Exchange
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$176.4B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
1.2%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
-10.4%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
-12.2%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Biotechnology
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Defense, Space & Security (BDS)
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Oligopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Strong
Moat score
61 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-23
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Regulated Standards PipeGovernment Contracting RelationshipsService Field Network

The Boeing Company strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleDesign In QualificationLong Term ContractsCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base ConsumablesData Workflow Lockin

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

IP Choke PointSwitching Costs GeneralBenchmark Pricing PowerCapacity Moat

Segment mix

The Boeing Company segments

Full profile >

Commercial Airplanes (BCA)

Duopoly

34.3%

Defense, Space & Security (BDS)

Oligopoly

35.8%

Global Services (BGS)

Competitive

29.9%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Quasi-Monopoly

99.9%

Hemoglobinopathies Gene Therapy (CASGEVY)

Oligopoly

0.1%

Acute Pain (JOURNAVX)

Competitive

n/a

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.