VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Stock Comparison

Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Microchip Technology Incorporated

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

Microchip Technology Incorporated

MCHP · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$34.9B
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
71/ 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 Microchip Technology Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCHP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Microchip Technology Incorporated).
  • Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); Microchip Technology Incorporated has 3 segments (51.1% in Mixed-signal Microcontrollers).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Microchip Technology Incorporated has 6 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%

Microchip Technology Incorporated

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Market

Embedded microcontrollers & microprocessors for embedded control

Geography

Global

Customer

OEMs and distributors (embedded system designers)

Role

IDM / hybrid manufacturing semiconductor supplier

Revenue share

51.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Costco Wholesale Corporation
Microchip Technology Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
MCHP - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$379.8B
$34.9B
Sector
Consumer
Technology
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Warehouse club retail
Mixed-signal Microcontrollers
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
6%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Financial, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-21
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Operational Excellence

Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostNegative Working CapitalBrand TrustHabit DefaultFloat Prepayment

Microchip Technology Incorporated strengths

Training Org Change CostsSwitching Costs GeneralScope EconomiesIP Choke PointDesign In Qualification

Segment mix

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

Microchip Technology Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Oligopoly

51.1%

Analog

Oligopoly

26.3%

Other (FPGA, memory, timing systems, manufacturing services, SuperFlash licensing)

Oligopoly

22.6%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.