VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

DSM-Firmenich AG vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

DSM-Firmenich AG

DSFIR · Euronext Amsterdam

Market cap (USD)$18.1B
Gross margin (TTM)34.1%
Operating margin (TTM)9.2%
Net margin (TTM)5.5%
SectorMaterials
IndustryHousehold & Personal Products
CountryCH
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
63/ 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 DSM-Firmenich AG's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DSFIR 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: Norfolk Southern Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for DSM-Firmenich AG).
  • Segment focus: DSM-Firmenich AG has 4 segments (31% in Perfumery & Beauty); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: DSM-Firmenich AG has 10 moat types across 4 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

DSM-Firmenich AG

Perfumery & Beauty

Market

B2B fragrances, perfumery ingredients, and beauty ingredients

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumer brands (fine fragrance, personal care, home care) and beauty brands

Role

Ingredient supplier / fragrance house (co-creation + ingredient palette)

Revenue share

31%

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

DSM-Firmenich AG
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
DSFIR - Euronext Amsterdam
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$18.1B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
34.1%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
9.2%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
5.5%
n/a
Sector
Materials
Industrials
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Railroads
HQ country
CH
US
Primary segment
Perfumery & Beauty
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
63 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Legal, Network
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

DSM-Firmenich AG strengths

Supply Chain ControlTraining Org Change CostsIP Choke PointScope EconomiesLearning Curve YieldCompliance AdvantageDesign In QualificationService Field NetworkEcosystem ComplementsData Workflow Lockin

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

DSM-Firmenich AG segments

Full profile >

Perfumery & Beauty

Oligopoly

31%

Taste, Texture & Health

Oligopoly

25.4%

Health, Nutrition & Care

Competitive

17.3%

Animal Nutrition & Health

Competitive

26%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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.