VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Stock Comparison

Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Eaton Corporation plc

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)$379.8B
SectorConsumer
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

Eaton Corporation plc

ETN · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$124.6B
SectorIndustrials
CountryIE
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
66/ 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 Eaton Corporation plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ETN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Eaton Corporation plc).
  • Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); Eaton Corporation plc has 5 segments (46% in Electrical Americas).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Eaton Corporation plc has 7 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%

Eaton Corporation plc

Electrical Americas

Market

Electrical components, power distribution systems/assemblies, and related services (Americas)

Geography

North and South America

Customer

Industrial, commercial/institutional, utilities, residential, and IT/data center customers (end users and channel partners)

Role

Manufacturer + systems/assembly provider + service provider

Revenue share

46%

Side-by-side metrics

Costco Wholesale Corporation
Eaton Corporation plc
Ticker / Exchange
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
ETN - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$379.8B
$124.6B
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
HQ country
US
IE
Primary segment
Warehouse club retail
Electrical Americas
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
66 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Financial, Demand
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2025-12-21
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostOperational ExcellenceNegative Working CapitalBrand TrustHabit DefaultFloat Prepayment

Eaton Corporation plc strengths

Distribution ControlScope EconomiesDesign In QualificationCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base ConsumablesLong Term ContractsService Field Network

Segment mix

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

Eaton Corporation plc segments

Full profile >

Electrical Americas

Oligopoly

46%

Electrical Global

Oligopoly

25.1%

Aerospace

Oligopoly

15%

Vehicle

Competitive

11.2%

eMobility

Competitive

2.7%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.