VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Netflix, Inc.

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)$388.7B
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

Netflix, Inc.

NFLX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$387.5B
Gross margin (TTM)48.1%
Operating margin (TTM)29.1%
Net margin (TTM)24.1%
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryEntertainment
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
65/ 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 Netflix, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NFLX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Costco Wholesale Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Netflix, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); Netflix, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in Streaming entertainment platform).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Netflix, Inc. has 5 across 4.

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%

Netflix, Inc.

Streaming entertainment platform

Market

Paid streaming video entertainment (SVOD/AVOD)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (B2C); advertisers via ad-supported inventory

Role

Streaming platform operator; content producer/licensor

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Costco Wholesale Corporation
Netflix, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
NFLX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$388.7B
$387.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
12.9%
48.1%
Operating margin (TTM)
3.8%
29.1%
Net margin (TTM)
3%
24.1%
Sector
Consumer
Communication Services
Industry
Discount Stores
Entertainment
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Warehouse club retail
Streaming entertainment platform
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
8.2%-8.4% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
65 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Financial, Demand
Network, Supply, Legal, Financial
Last update
2025-12-21
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scale Economies Unit CostFloat Prepayment

Costco Wholesale Corporation strengths

Operational ExcellenceNegative Working CapitalBrand TrustHabit Default

Netflix, Inc. strengths

Data Network EffectsContent Rights CurrencyPhysical Network Density

Segment mix

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

Netflix, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Streaming entertainment platform

Oligopoly

100%

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.