VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Stock Comparison

Costco Wholesale Corporation vs EssilorLuxottica

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

Costco Wholesale Corporation

COST · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$437.3B
Gross margin (TTM)12.9%
Operating margin (TTM)3.8%
Net margin (TTM)3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryDiscount Stores
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-21
Moat score
80/ 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 Costco Wholesale Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View COST analysis

EssilorLuxottica

EL · Euronext Paris

Market cap (USD)$110.3B
Gross margin (TTM)61.5%
Operating margin (TTM)12.4%
Net margin (TTM)8.5%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Instruments & Supplies
CountryFR
Data as of2026-01-11
Moat score
69/ 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 EssilorLuxottica's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View EL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 69 / 100 for EssilorLuxottica).
  • Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); EssilorLuxottica has 2 segments (52.7% in Direct to Consumer).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; EssilorLuxottica has 5 across 3.

Primary market context

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Warehouse club retail

Market

Membership warehouse club retail (warehouse clubs, ancillary services, and e-commerce)

Geography

Global

Customer

Households and small businesses

Role

Retailer (membership club)

Revenue share

98.1%

EssilorLuxottica

Direct to Consumer

Market

Optical retail and e-commerce (prescription eyewear and sunglasses)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users)

Role

Omnichannel retailer + vertically integrated manufacturer/brand owner

Revenue share

52.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Costco Wholesale Corporation
EssilorLuxottica
Ticker / Exchange
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
EL - Euronext Paris
Market cap (USD)
$437.3B
$110.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
12.9%
61.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
3.8%
12.4%
Net margin (TTM)
3%
8.5%
Sector
Consumer
Healthcare
Industry
Discount Stores
Medical - Instruments & Supplies
HQ country
US
FR
Primary segment
Warehouse club retail
Direct to Consumer
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
69 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Financial, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-21
2026-01-11

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scale Economies Unit CostBrand Trust

Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths

Operational ExcellenceNegative Working CapitalHabit DefaultFloat Prepayment

EssilorLuxottica strengths

IP Choke PointDistribution ControlContractual Exclusivity

Segment mix

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

EssilorLuxottica segments

Full profile >

Professional Solutions

Oligopoly

47.3%

Direct to Consumer

Competitive

52.7%

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.