VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Spotify Technology S.A.

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

Market cap (USD)$73.1B
Gross margin (TTM)43.6%
Operating margin (TTM)26.2%
Net margin (TTM)19.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
66/ 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 Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ITW analysis

Spotify Technology S.A.

SPOT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)11.7%
Net margin (TTM)8.3%
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryInternet Content & Information
CountryLU
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
65/ 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 Spotify Technology S.A.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SPOT analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Illinois Tool Works Inc. leads (66 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Spotify Technology S.A.).
  • Segment focus: Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 7 segments (20% in Automotive OEM); Spotify Technology S.A. has 2 segments (88.2% in Premium (subscription)).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Illinois Tool Works Inc. has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Spotify Technology S.A. has 6 across 4.

Primary market context

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Automotive OEM

Market

Automotive OEM engineered components and fasteners

Geography

Global

Customer

Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers

Role

Component supplier

Revenue share

20%

Spotify Technology S.A.

Premium (subscription)

Market

Paid music and audio streaming subscriptions

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users) and distribution partners (e.g., telcos)

Role

Streaming platform operator

Revenue share

88.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Spotify Technology S.A.
Ticker / Exchange
ITW - New York Stock Exchange
SPOT - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$73.1B
$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
43.6%
31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
26.2%
11.7%
Net margin (TTM)
19.1%
8.3%
Sector
Industrials
Communication Services
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
Internet Content & Information
HQ country
US
LU
Primary segment
Automotive OEM
Premium (subscription)
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
31%-33% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
66 / 100
65 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Network, Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Illinois Tool Works Inc. strengths

Design In QualificationOperational ExcellenceService Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesSwitching Costs GeneralFormulation and application engineering know-howIP Choke Point

Spotify Technology S.A. strengths

Data Network EffectsInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkContent Rights CurrencyScale Economies Unit Cost

Segment mix

Illinois Tool Works Inc. segments

Full profile >

Automotive OEM

Competitive

20%

Food Equipment

Oligopoly

16.6%

Test & Measurement and Electronics

Oligopoly

17.7%

Welding

Oligopoly

11.6%

Polymers & Fluids

Competitive

11.1%

Construction Products

Competitive

12%

Specialty Products

Oligopoly

10.9%

Spotify Technology S.A. segments

Full profile >

Premium (subscription)

Oligopoly

88.2%

Ad-Supported (advertising)

Competitive

11.8%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.