VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Stock Comparison

Caterpillar Inc. vs Danaher Corporation

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

Caterpillar Inc.

CAT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$355.5B
Gross margin (TTM)32.3%
Operating margin (TTM)16.6%
Net margin (TTM)13.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAgricultural - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-25
Moat score
68/ 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 Caterpillar Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CAT analysis

Danaher Corporation

DHR · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$148.1B
Gross margin (TTM)60.9%
Operating margin (TTM)20.9%
Net margin (TTM)14.7%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Diagnostics & Research
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
Moat score
77/ 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 Danaher Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DHR analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Danaher Corporation leads (77 / 100 vs 68 / 100 for Caterpillar Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Caterpillar Inc. has 5 segments (40.7% in Energy & Transportation); Danaher Corporation has 3 segments (41% in Diagnostics).
  • Moat breadth: Caterpillar Inc. has 9 moat types across 4 domains; Danaher Corporation has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

Caterpillar Inc.

Energy & Transportation

Market

Off-highway engines, power generation, turbines, locomotives and related services

Geography

Global

Customer

Energy companies, industrial customers, OEMs, rail and marine operators

Role

OEM + aftermarket parts/service

Revenue share

40.7%

Danaher Corporation

Diagnostics

Market

In vitro diagnostics instruments, consumables, software and services (clinical lab, acute care/POC, pathology, molecular diagnostics)

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals, physician offices, reference laboratories, pathology labs, critical care settings

Role

IVD device manufacturer and reagent/test supplier + software/services

Revenue share

41%

Side-by-side metrics

Caterpillar Inc.
Danaher Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
CAT - New York Stock Exchange
DHR - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$355.5B
$148.1B
Gross margin (TTM)
32.3%
60.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
16.6%
20.9%
Net margin (TTM)
13.1%
14.7%
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Agricultural - Machinery
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Energy & Transportation
Diagnostics
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
68 / 100
77 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Financial, Network
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-25
2025-12-22

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Installed Base ConsumablesService Field NetworkDesign In QualificationSuite Bundling

Caterpillar Inc. strengths

Distribution ControlBrand TrustCapex Knowhow ScaleUnderwriting Risk PoolingEcosystem Complements

Danaher Corporation strengths

Operational ExcellenceLearning Curve YieldRegulated Standards Pipe

Segment mix

Caterpillar Inc. segments

Full profile >

Construction Industries

Oligopoly

35.9%

Resource Industries

Oligopoly

17.5%

Energy & Transportation

Oligopoly

40.7%

Financial Products

Competitive

5.3%

All Other

Competitive

0.6%

Danaher Corporation segments

Full profile >

Biotechnology

Oligopoly

28.3%

Life Sciences

Oligopoly

30.7%

Diagnostics

Oligopoly

41%

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.