VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

IDEX Corporation vs Pool Corporation

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

IDEX Corporation

IEX · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$13.6B
Gross margin (TTM)43.5%
Operating margin (TTM)20.7%
Net margin (TTM)14%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-23
Moat score
58/ 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 IDEX Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View IEX analysis

Pool Corporation

POOL · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)11.1%
Net margin (TTM)7.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
56/ 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 Pool Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View POOL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: IDEX Corporation leads (58 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Pool Corporation).
  • Segment focus: IDEX Corporation has 3 segments (39.6% in Health & Science Technologies (HST)); Pool Corporation has 1 segment (100% in Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: IDEX Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; Pool Corporation has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

IDEX Corporation

Health & Science Technologies (HST)

Market

Precision fluidics, optics/photonics, microfluidics, sealing solutions, pneumatic components, and process technologies for life science/diagnostics, semiconductor, aerospace/defense, and industrial markets

Geography

Global

Customer

Life science & diagnostic instrument OEMs, semiconductor/industrial OEMs, specialty industrial customers

Role

Component/subsystem supplier and specialty equipment provider

Revenue share

39.6%

Pool Corporation

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Market

Wholesale distribution of swimming pool, irrigation/landscape, and related outdoor living products

Geography

North America (majority), with operations in Europe and Australia

Customer

Pool builders/remodelers, pool service/repair professionals, specialty pool retailers, irrigation/landscape contractors, commercial pool operators

Role

Distributor / wholesaler

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

IDEX Corporation
Pool Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
IEX - New York Stock Exchange
POOL - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$13.6B
$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
43.5%
29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
20.7%
11.1%
Net margin (TTM)
14%
7.8%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Health & Science Technologies (HST)
Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
58 / 100
56 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-23
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinProcurement Inertia

IDEX Corporation strengths

Design In QualificationInstalled Base ConsumablesLearning Curve YieldIP Choke PointBrand Trust

Pool Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostScope Economies

Segment mix

IDEX Corporation segments

Full profile >

Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT)

Competitive

37.7%

Health & Science Technologies (HST)

Competitive

39.6%

Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP)

Competitive

22.7%

Pool Corporation segments

Full profile >

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Competitive

100%

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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.