VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Fastenal Company vs James Hardie Industries plc

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

Fastenal Company

FAST · Nasdaq Stock Market

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
Moat score
60/ 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 Fastenal Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View FAST analysis

James Hardie Industries plc

JHX · ASX

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)36.3%
Operating margin (TTM)13.6%
Net margin (TTM)4.7%
SectorMaterials
CountryIE
Data as of2025-12-28
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 James Hardie Industries plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View JHX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: James Hardie Industries plc leads (74 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Fastenal Company).
  • Segment focus: Fastenal Company has 3 segments (54.5% in Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)); James Hardie Industries plc has 4 segments (64.2% in Siding & Trim).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Fastenal Company has 5 moat types across 2 domains; James Hardie Industries plc has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Fastenal Company

Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)

Market

Industrial & construction supplies distribution (MRO/OEM consumables) via local branches

Geography

North America (primary) + select international

Customer

B2B

Role

Distributor / MRO supplier

Revenue share

54.5%

James Hardie Industries plc

Siding & Trim

Market

North American fiber cement exterior siding & trim (plus related exterior products)

Geography

North America (primarily U.S. and Canada)

Customer

Homebuilders, contractors, remodelers, dealers/distributors, and retailers

Role

Manufacturer / branded building-products supplier

Revenue share

64.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Fastenal Company
James Hardie Industries plc
Ticker / Exchange
FAST - Nasdaq Stock Market
JHX - ASX
Market cap (USD)
n/a
n/a
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
36.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
13.6%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
4.7%
Sector
Industrials
Materials
HQ country
US
IE
Primary segment
Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)
Siding & Trim
Market structure
Competitive
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
88%-92% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
60 / 100
74 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-01
2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Operational Excellence

Fastenal Company strengths

Physical Network DensitySwitching Costs GeneralData Workflow LockinScope Economies

James Hardie Industries plc strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleBrand TrustLong Term ContractsDistribution Control

Segment mix

Fastenal Company segments

Full profile >

Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)

Competitive

54.5%

Onsite solutions (embedded customer locations)

Competitive

42.4%

Other / non-traditional sales (services & custom manufacturing)

Competitive

3.1%

James Hardie Industries plc segments

Full profile >

Siding & Trim

Quasi-Monopoly

64.2%

Deck, Rail & Accessories

Oligopoly

11.7%

Australia & New Zealand

Oligopoly

11.6%

Europe

Competitive

12.5%

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.