VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Constellation Software Inc. vs Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Constellation Software Inc.

CSU · Toronto Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorTechnology
Industry
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
74/ 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 Constellation Software Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CSU analysis

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

ITW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$73B
Gross margin (TTM)43.6%
Operating margin (TTM)26.2%
Net margin (TTM)19.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
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 Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ITW analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Constellation Software Inc. leads (74 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Illinois Tool Works Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Constellation Software Inc. has 6 segments; Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 7 segments (20% in Automotive OEM).
  • Moat breadth: Constellation Software Inc. has 3 moat types across 2 domains; Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

Constellation Software Inc.

Volaris Operating Group

Market

Vertical market software (VMS) portfolios across diverse industries (Volaris)

Geography

Global (North America, Continental Europe, UK, Australia, South America, Africa)

Customer

Organizations in specific verticals (mix of public and private sector)

Role

Vertical market software vendor (application provider + long-term maintainer)

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Automotive OEM

Market

Automotive OEM engineered components and fasteners

Geography

Global

Customer

Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers

Role

Component supplier

Revenue share

20%

Side-by-side metrics

Constellation Software Inc.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
CSU - Toronto Stock Exchange
ITW - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$73B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
43.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
26.2%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
19.1%
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
n/a
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
CA
US
Primary segment
Volaris Operating Group
Automotive OEM
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
74 / 100
66 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-02
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralInstalled Base ConsumablesOperational Excellence

Constellation Software Inc. strengths

No unique moat types yet.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationBrand TrustService Field NetworkFormulation and application engineering know-howIP Choke Point

Segment mix

Constellation Software Inc. segments

Full profile >

Volaris Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Harris Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Topicus.com Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Jonas Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Perseus Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Vela Operating Group

Competitive

n/a

Illinois Tool Works Inc. segments

Full profile >

Automotive OEM

Competitive

20%

Food Equipment

Oligopoly

16.6%

Test & Measurement and Electronics

Oligopoly

17.7%

Welding

Oligopoly

11.6%

Polymers & Fluids

Competitive

11.1%

Construction Products

Competitive

12%

Specialty Products

Oligopoly

10.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

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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.