VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Danaher Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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)$165.1B
Gross margin (TTM)61.4%
Operating margin (TTM)22.2%
Net margin (TTM)14.4%
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

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Danaher Corporation leads (77 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Norfolk Southern Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Danaher Corporation has 3 segments (41% in Diagnostics); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Danaher Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 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%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Danaher Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
DHR - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$165.1B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
61.4%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
22.2%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
14.4%
n/a
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Diagnostics
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
77 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-22
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Danaher Corporation strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesDesign In QualificationService Field NetworkOperational ExcellenceLearning Curve YieldRegulated Standards PipeSuite Bundling

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Danaher Corporation segments

Full profile >

Biotechnology

Oligopoly

28.3%

Life Sciences

Oligopoly

30.7%

Diagnostics

Oligopoly

41%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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.