VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Stock Comparison
Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
ITW · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View ITW analysisMerck & Co., Inc.
MRK · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MRK analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: Merck & Co., Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Illinois Tool Works Inc.).
- Segment focus: Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 7 segments (20% in Automotive OEM); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
- Moat breadth: Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 across 3.
Primary market context
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Automotive OEM
Automotive OEM engineered components and fasteners
Global
Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers
Component supplier
20%
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceutical
Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines
Global
Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics
R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer
89.5%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
Illinois Tool Works Inc. strengths
Merck & Co., Inc. strengths
Segment mix
Illinois Tool Works Inc. segments
Full profile >Automotive OEM
Competitive
Food Equipment
Oligopoly
Test & Measurement and Electronics
Oligopoly
Welding
Oligopoly
Polymers & Fluids
Competitive
Construction Products
Competitive
Specialty Products
Oligopoly
Merck & Co., Inc. segments
Full profile >Pharmaceutical
Competitive
Animal Health
Oligopoly
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.