VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Diageo plc vs Watsco, Inc.

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

Diageo plc

DGE · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$36.4B
Gross margin (TTM)60.2%
Operating margin (TTM)27.9%
Net margin (TTM)15.3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryBeverages - Wineries & Distilleries
CountryGB
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
77/ 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 Diageo plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DGE analysis

Watsco, Inc.

WSO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)10.2%
Net margin (TTM)7.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
72/ 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 Watsco, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View WSO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Diageo plc leads (77 / 100 vs 72 / 100 for Watsco, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Diageo plc has 3 segments (76% in Spirits); Watsco, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in HVAC/R Distribution).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Diageo plc has 3 moat types across 2 domains; Watsco, Inc. has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Diageo plc

Spirits

Market

Branded premium spirits (whisky, tequila, vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers via off-trade retailers and on-trade outlets; distributors/wholesalers and key accounts

Role

Brand owner and producer with route-to-market execution

Revenue share

76%

Watsco, Inc.

HVAC/R Distribution

Market

HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies distribution

Geography

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico; export to Latin America/Caribbean)

Customer

Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors (residential & commercial)

Role

Wholesale distributor

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Diageo plc
Watsco, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
DGE - London Stock Exchange
WSO - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$36.4B
$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
60.2%
28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
27.9%
10.2%
Net margin (TTM)
15.3%
7.4%
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
Industry
Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
GB
US
Primary segment
Spirits
HVAC/R Distribution
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
9%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
77 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Diageo plc strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlCapacity Moat

Watsco, Inc. strengths

Physical Network DensityContractual ExclusivityScale Economies Unit CostData Workflow Lockin

Segment mix

Diageo plc segments

Full profile >

Spirits

Oligopoly

76%

Beer (Guinness and other beers)

Oligopoly

18%

Ready-to-Drink (RTDs)

Competitive

4%

Watsco, Inc. segments

Full profile >

HVAC/R Distribution

Competitive

100%

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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.