VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Stock Comparison
Costco Wholesale Corporation vs McDonald's Corporation
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
Costco Wholesale Corporation
COST · Nasdaq Global Select Market
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 analysisMcDonald's Corporation
MCD · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MCD analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score: both at 80 / 100.
- Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets).
- Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; McDonald's Corporation has 5 across 2.
Primary market context
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Warehouse club retail
Membership warehouse club retail (warehouse clubs, ancillary services, and e-commerce)
Global
Households and small businesses
Retailer (membership club)
98.1%
McDonald's Corporation
International Operated Markets
Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)
International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)
Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)
Franchisor / restaurant operator
48.7%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths
McDonald's Corporation strengths
Segment mix
Costco Wholesale Corporation segments
Full profile >Warehouse club retail
Oligopoly
Membership fees (subscription)
Oligopoly
McDonald's Corporation segments
Full profile >U.S.
Competitive
International Operated Markets
Competitive
International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate
Competitive
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.