VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Cochlear Limited vs Starbucks Corporation

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

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)9.7%
Net margin (TTM)5%
SectorConsumer
IndustryRestaurants
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Starbucks Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SBUX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Cochlear Limited leads (81 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Starbucks Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Cochlear Limited has 3 segments (62.4% in Cochlear Implants); Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Cochlear Limited has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Starbucks Corporation has 7 across 3.

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%

Starbucks Corporation

North America

Market

Branded coffeehouse retail (company-operated + licensed)

Geography

U.S. and Canada

Customer

Consumers

Role

Retailer / brand owner

Revenue share

73.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Cochlear Limited
Starbucks Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
COH - ASX
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$17B
$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
74.5%
22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
22.7%
9.7%
Net margin (TTM)
16.2%
5%
Sector
Healthcare
Consumer
Industry
Medical - Devices
Restaurants
HQ country
AU
US
Primary segment
Cochlear Implants
North America
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
60%-65% (reported)
35%-40% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
81 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-04
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Cochlear Limited strengths

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

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Habit DefaultPhysical Network DensityOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual ExclusivityScope Economies

Segment mix

Cochlear Limited segments

Full profile >

Cochlear Implants

Oligopoly

62.4%

Services

Monopoly

25.9%

Acoustics

Oligopoly

11.7%

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

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.