VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Fastenal Company vs The Sherwin-Williams Company

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

The Sherwin-Williams Company

SHW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$80.4B
Gross margin (TTM)48.9%
Operating margin (TTM)15.9%
Net margin (TTM)11.1%
SectorMaterials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
84/ 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 The Sherwin-Williams Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SHW analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: The Sherwin-Williams Company leads (84 / 100 vs 60 / 100 for Fastenal Company).
  • Segment focus: Fastenal Company has 3 segments (54.5% in Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)); The Sherwin-Williams Company has 3 segments (57.1% in Paint Stores Group).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Fastenal Company has 5 moat types across 2 domains; The Sherwin-Williams Company has 6 across 3.

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%

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Paint Stores Group

Market

Company-operated paint & coatings retail (architectural + related products)

Geography

United States, Canada, Caribbean

Customer

Professional contractors and DIY homeowners

Role

Manufacturer-owned retail / distribution

Revenue share

57.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Fastenal Company
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Ticker / Exchange
FAST - Nasdaq Stock Market
SHW - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$80.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
48.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
15.9%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
11.1%
Sector
Industrials
Materials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)
Paint Stores Group
Market structure
Competitive
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
69.4% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Strong
Moat score
60 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2026-01-01
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralScope Economies

Fastenal Company strengths

Physical Network DensityOperational ExcellenceData Workflow Lockin

The Sherwin-Williams Company strengths

Distribution ControlService Field NetworkBrand TrustCompliance Advantage

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%

The Sherwin-Williams Company segments

Full profile >

Paint Stores Group

Quasi-Monopoly

57.1%

Consumer Brands Group

Oligopoly

13.5%

Performance Coatings Group

Oligopoly

29.4%

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.