VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Republic Services, 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)$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

Republic Services, Inc.

RSG · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
SectorIndustrials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Republic Services, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View RSG analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 80 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 2 segments (98.1% in Warehouse club retail); Republic Services, Inc. has 2 segments (88.5% in Recycling & Waste Services).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Costco Wholesale Corporation has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Republic Services, Inc. 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%

Republic Services, Inc.

Recycling & Waste Services

Market

Integrated non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, landfill disposal & recycling services

Geography

United States and Canada

Customer

Municipal, commercial, industrial

Role

Integrated hauler and disposal operator

Revenue share

88.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Costco Wholesale Corporation
Republic Services, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
COST - Nasdaq Global Select Market
RSG - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$379.8B
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Warehouse club retail
Recycling & Waste Services
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
12%-15% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Financial, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
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

Republic Services, Inc. strengths

Permits Rights Of WayCapacity MoatPhysical Network DensityScope EconomiesLong Term ContractsCompliance AdvantageService Field Network

Segment mix

Costco Wholesale Corporation segments

Full profile >

Warehouse club retail

Oligopoly

98.1%

Membership fees (subscription)

Oligopoly

1.9%

Republic Services, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Recycling & Waste Services

Competitive

88.5%

Environmental Solutions

Competitive

11.5%

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.