VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. vs Paychex, Inc.

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

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

BIO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$8.7B
Gross margin (TTM)52.3%
Operating margin (TTM)8.8%
Net margin (TTM)-26.4%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
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 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View BIO analysis

Paychex, Inc.

PAYX · NASDAQ Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$39.4B
Gross margin (TTM)73.4%
Operating margin (TTM)37.1%
Net margin (TTM)26.5%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryStaffing & Employment Services
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
66/ 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 Paychex, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PAYX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Paychex, Inc. leads (66 / 100 vs 61 / 100 for Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has 2 segments (59.9% in Clinical Diagnostics); Paychex, Inc. has 3 segments (73% in Management Solutions).
  • Moat breadth: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Paychex, Inc. has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Clinical Diagnostics

Market

In vitro diagnostics test systems, reagents/test kits, informatics, and clinical laboratory quality controls

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospital laboratories; diagnostic reference laboratories; transfusion laboratories; physician office laboratories

Role

IVD OEM / installed-base consumables supplier (systems + kits + controls)

Revenue share

59.9%

Paychex, Inc.

Management Solutions

Market

Payroll processing and integrated HCM solutions for SMB and mid-market employers

Geography

United States (primarily)

Customer

Employers (SMB and mid-market)

Role

HCM SaaS + outsourced payroll/HR service provider

Revenue share

73%

Side-by-side metrics

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Paychex, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
BIO - New York Stock Exchange
PAYX - NASDAQ Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$8.7B
$39.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
52.3%
73.4%
Operating margin (TTM)
8.8%
37.1%
Net margin (TTM)
-26.4%
26.5%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Staffing & Employment Services
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Clinical Diagnostics
Management Solutions
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
9%-11% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
61 / 100
66 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Legal
Demand, Supply, Legal, Financial
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-04

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralCompliance Advantage

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. strengths

Scope EconomiesDistribution ControlCapex Knowhow ScaleInstalled Base Consumables

Paychex, Inc. strengths

Data Workflow LockinSuite BundlingService Field NetworkUnderwriting Risk PoolingFloat Prepayment

Segment mix

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Life Science

Competitive

40.1%

Clinical Diagnostics

Oligopoly

59.9%

Paychex, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Management Solutions

Oligopoly

73%

PEO and Insurance Solutions

Competitive

24.1%

Client funds float (interest on funds held for clients)

Oligopoly

2.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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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.