VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Stock Comparison

Fastenal Company vs Lotus Bakeries NV

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)$47.2B
Gross margin (TTM)45.2%
Operating margin (TTM)20.2%
Net margin (TTM)15.3%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
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

Lotus Bakeries NV

LOTB · Euronext Brussels

Market cap (USD)$6.9B
Gross margin (TTM)28.7%
Operating margin (TTM)16.5%
Net margin (TTM)12.3%
SectorConsumer
IndustryPackaged Foods
CountryBE
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
64/ 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 Lotus Bakeries NV's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View LOTB analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Lotus Bakeries NV leads (64 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Fastenal Company).
  • Segment focus: Fastenal Company has 3 segments (54.5% in Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)); Lotus Bakeries NV has 3 segments (56% in Lotus Biscoff).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Fastenal Company has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Lotus Bakeries NV 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%

Lotus Bakeries NV

Lotus Biscoff

Market

Branded caramelised biscuits (speculoos) and Biscoff spread

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers via retail and away-from-home channels

Role

Brand owner and manufacturer

Revenue share

56%

Side-by-side metrics

Fastenal Company
Lotus Bakeries NV
Ticker / Exchange
FAST - Nasdaq Stock Market
LOTB - Euronext Brussels
Market cap (USD)
$47.2B
$6.9B
Gross margin (TTM)
45.2%
28.7%
Operating margin (TTM)
20.2%
16.5%
Net margin (TTM)
15.3%
12.3%
Sector
Industrials
Consumer
Industry
Industrial - Distribution
Packaged Foods
HQ country
US
BE
Primary segment
Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)
Lotus Biscoff
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Strong
Moat score
60 / 100
64 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply
Last update
2026-01-01
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Fastenal Company strengths

Physical Network DensityOperational ExcellenceSwitching Costs GeneralData Workflow LockinScope Economies

Lotus Bakeries NV strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultCapacity MoatCapex Knowhow ScaleDistribution 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%

Lotus Bakeries NV segments

Full profile >

Lotus Biscoff

Oligopoly

56%

Lotus Natural Foods

Competitive

24%

Lotus Local Heroes

Competitive

20%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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

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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.