VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Cochlear Limited vs Diageo plc

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

Cochlear Limited

COH · ASX

Market cap (USD)$17B
Gross margin (TTM)74.5%
Operating margin (TTM)22.7%
Net margin (TTM)16.2%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryAU
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
81/ 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 Cochlear Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View COH analysis

Diageo plc

DGE · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$36.4B
Gross margin (TTM)60.2%
Operating margin (TTM)27.9%
Net margin (TTM)15.3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryBeverages - Wineries & Distilleries
CountryGB
Data as of2025-12-30
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 Diageo plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DGE analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Cochlear Limited leads (81 / 100 vs 77 / 100 for Diageo plc).
  • Segment focus: Cochlear Limited has 3 segments (62.4% in Cochlear Implants); Diageo plc has 3 segments (76% in Spirits).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Cochlear Limited has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Diageo plc has 3 across 2.

Primary market context

Cochlear Limited

Cochlear Implants

Market

Cochlear implant systems (internal implant + external sound processors) for severe-to-profound hearing loss

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals/ENT clinics and audiology programs (providers) serving implant candidates/recipients; reimbursed by public/private payers

Role

Medical device OEM / platform owner (implant + processor + fitting software + clinical support)

Revenue share

62.4%

Diageo plc

Spirits

Market

Branded premium spirits (whisky, tequila, vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers via off-trade retailers and on-trade outlets; distributors/wholesalers and key accounts

Role

Brand owner and producer with route-to-market execution

Revenue share

76%

Side-by-side metrics

Cochlear Limited
Diageo plc
Ticker / Exchange
COH - ASX
DGE - London Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$17B
$36.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
74.5%
60.2%
Operating margin (TTM)
22.7%
27.9%
Net margin (TTM)
16.2%
15.3%
Sector
Healthcare
Consumer
Industry
Medical - Devices
Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries
HQ country
AU
GB
Primary segment
Cochlear Implants
Spirits
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
60%-65% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
81 / 100
77 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Demand, Supply
Last update
2026-01-04
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Cochlear Limited strengths

Compliance AdvantageCapex Knowhow ScaleIP Choke PointService Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesFormat Lock InData Workflow Lockin

Diageo plc strengths

Distribution ControlCapacity Moat

Segment mix

Cochlear Limited segments

Full profile >

Cochlear Implants

Oligopoly

62.4%

Services

Monopoly

25.9%

Acoustics

Oligopoly

11.7%

Diageo plc segments

Full profile >

Spirits

Oligopoly

76%

Beer (Guinness and other beers)

Oligopoly

18%

Ready-to-Drink (RTDs)

Competitive

4%

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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.