VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

General Dynamics Corporation vs McDonald's Corporation

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

General Dynamics Corporation

GD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$92.4B
SectorIndustrials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
80/ 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 General Dynamics Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View GD analysis

McDonald's Corporation

MCD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$221.3B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
80/ 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 McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCD analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 80 / 100.
  • Segment focus: General Dynamics Corporation has 4 segments (30.1% in Marine Systems (Nuclear subs + surface shipbuilding)); McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets).
  • Primary market structure: Duopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: General Dynamics Corporation has 11 moat types across 3 domains; McDonald's Corporation has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

General Dynamics Corporation

Marine Systems (Nuclear subs + surface shipbuilding)

Market

U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine construction and major surface combatant shipbuilding/lifecycle services

Geography

United States

Customer

Government (primarily U.S. Navy)

Role

Prime contractor / shipbuilder / lifecycle services

Revenue share

30.1%

McDonald's Corporation

International Operated Markets

Market

Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)

Geography

International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)

Customer

Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)

Role

Franchisor / restaurant operator

Revenue share

48.7%

Side-by-side metrics

General Dynamics Corporation
McDonald's Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
GD - New York Stock Exchange
MCD - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$92.4B
$221.3B
Sector
Industrials
Consumer
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Marine Systems (Nuclear subs + surface shipbuilding)
International Operated Markets
Market structure
Duopoly
Competitive
Market share
45%-55% (estimated)
n/a
HHI estimate
5,000
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-29
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand TrustLong Term Contracts

General Dynamics Corporation strengths

Service Field NetworkRegulated Standards PipeCapex Knowhow ScaleGovernment Contracting RelationshipsDesign In QualificationProcurement InertiaCapacity MoatCompliance AdvantageSuite Bundling

McDonald's Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityDistribution ControlOperational Excellence

Segment mix

General Dynamics Corporation segments

Full profile >

Aerospace (Gulfstream + Jet Aviation)

Oligopoly

23.6%

Marine Systems (Nuclear subs + surface shipbuilding)

Duopoly

30.1%

Combat Systems (Land vehicles + munitions)

Oligopoly

18.9%

Technologies (C5ISR + Federal IT)

Competitive

27.5%

McDonald's Corporation segments

Full profile >

U.S.

Competitive

41%

International Operated Markets

Competitive

48.7%

International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate

Competitive

10.3%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.