VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Stock Comparison

Danaher Corporation vs Merck & Co., Inc.

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

Danaher Corporation

DHR · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$148.1B
Gross margin (TTM)60.9%
Operating margin (TTM)20.9%
Net margin (TTM)14.7%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Diagnostics & Research
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
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 Danaher Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DHR analysis

Merck & Co., Inc.

MRK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$305.4B
Gross margin (TTM)81.5%
Operating margin (TTM)41.2%
Net margin (TTM)28.1%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - General
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
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 Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MRK analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Danaher Corporation leads (77 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Merck & Co., Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Danaher Corporation has 3 segments (41% in Diagnostics); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Danaher Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 across 3.

Primary market context

Danaher Corporation

Diagnostics

Market

In vitro diagnostics instruments, consumables, software and services (clinical lab, acute care/POC, pathology, molecular diagnostics)

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals, physician offices, reference laboratories, pathology labs, critical care settings

Role

IVD device manufacturer and reagent/test supplier + software/services

Revenue share

41%

Merck & Co., Inc.

Pharmaceutical

Market

Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines

Geography

Global

Customer

Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics

Role

R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer

Revenue share

89.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Danaher Corporation
Merck & Co., Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
DHR - New York Stock Exchange
MRK - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$148.1B
$305.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
60.9%
81.5%
Operating margin (TTM)
20.9%
41.2%
Net margin (TTM)
14.7%
28.1%
Sector
Healthcare
Healthcare
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Drug Manufacturers - General
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Diagnostics
Pharmaceutical
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
77 / 100
71 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-22
2025-12-22

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Regulated Standards Pipe

Danaher Corporation strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesDesign In QualificationService Field NetworkOperational ExcellenceLearning Curve YieldSuite Bundling

Merck & Co., Inc. strengths

IP Choke PointCapex Knowhow ScaleScope EconomiesData Workflow Lockin

Segment mix

Danaher Corporation segments

Full profile >

Biotechnology

Oligopoly

28.3%

Life Sciences

Oligopoly

30.7%

Diagnostics

Oligopoly

41%

Merck & Co., Inc. segments

Full profile >

Pharmaceutical

Competitive

89.5%

Animal Health

Oligopoly

9.2%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

View the moat stocks list

Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

View expansion-stage stocks

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.