VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Stock Comparison

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. vs Lotus Bakeries NV

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

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

IFF · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$17.1B
Gross margin (TTM)36.4%
Operating margin (TTM)-3.2%
Net margin (TTM)-3.7%
SectorMaterials
IndustryChemicals - Specialty
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
59/ 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 International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View IFF 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 59 / 100 for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.).
  • Segment focus: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has 4 segments (31.2% in Food Ingredients); Lotus Bakeries NV has 3 segments (56% in Lotus Biscoff).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Lotus Bakeries NV has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Food Ingredients

Market

Specialty food ingredients (texturizers, food protection, plant proteins, emulsifiers, sweeteners)

Geography

Global

Customer

B2B (food manufacturers)

Role

Ingredient supplier

Revenue share

31.2%

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

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Lotus Bakeries NV
Ticker / Exchange
IFF - New York Stock Exchange
LOTB - Euronext Brussels
Market cap (USD)
$17.1B
$6.9B
Gross margin (TTM)
36.4%
28.7%
Operating margin (TTM)
-3.2%
16.5%
Net margin (TTM)
-3.7%
12.3%
Sector
Materials
Consumer
Industry
Chemicals - Specialty
Packaged Foods
HQ country
US
BE
Primary segment
Food Ingredients
Lotus Biscoff
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Strong
Moat score
59 / 100
64 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Legal, Supply
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Capex Knowhow Scale

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationIP Choke PointService Field NetworkSupply Chain ControlCompliance AdvantageSwitching Costs GeneralScale Economies Unit Cost

Lotus Bakeries NV strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultCapacity MoatDistribution Control

Segment mix

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. segments

Full profile >

Taste

Oligopoly

23.9%

Food Ingredients

Competitive

31.2%

Health & Biosciences

Oligopoly

21.4%

Scent

Oligopoly

23.6%

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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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.