VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Thursday, January 8, 2026

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Stock Comparison

Boston Scientific Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

Boston Scientific Corporation

BSX · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$141.5B
Gross margin (TTM)65.1%
Operating margin (TTM)17.3%
Net margin (TTM)14.4%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
65/ 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 Boston Scientific Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View BSX analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$64.6B
Gross margin (TTM)34.1%
Operating margin (TTM)34.1%
Net margin (TTM)24.2%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Norfolk Southern Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Boston Scientific Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Boston Scientific Corporation has 5 segments (49.8% in Cardiology); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Boston Scientific Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Boston Scientific Corporation

Cardiology

Market

Cardiology devices (interventional cardiology, structural heart, electrophysiology, cardiac rhythm management and remote monitoring)

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals/cath labs/EP labs and specialty clinics (cardiologists, electrophysiologists)

Role

Medical device OEM / implantables + procedure devices + service-enabled monitoring

Revenue share

49.8%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Boston Scientific Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
BSX - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$141.5B
$64.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
65.1%
34.1%
Operating margin (TTM)
17.3%
34.1%
Net margin (TTM)
14.4%
24.2%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Cardiology
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
65 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2026-01-04
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Boston Scientific Corporation strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesProcurement InertiaTraining Org Change CostsRegulated Standards PipeReputation ReviewsDistribution Control

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Boston Scientific Corporation segments

Full profile >

Endoscopy

Oligopoly

16%

Urology

Competitive

13.1%

Neuromodulation

Oligopoly

6.6%

Cardiology

Oligopoly

49.8%

Peripheral Interventions

Competitive

14.4%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.