VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Stock Comparison

James Hardie Industries plc vs Novartis AG

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

James Hardie Industries plc

JHX · ASX

Market cap (USD)$17.8B
Gross margin (TTM)36.3%
Operating margin (TTM)13.6%
Net margin (TTM)4.7%
SectorMaterials
IndustryConstruction Materials
CountryIE
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
74/ 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 James Hardie Industries plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View JHX analysis

Novartis AG

NOVN · SIX Swiss Exchange

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
Industry
CountryCH
Data as of2026-01-02
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 Novartis AG's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NOVN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: James Hardie Industries plc leads (74 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Novartis AG).
  • Segment focus: James Hardie Industries plc has 4 segments (64.2% in Siding & Trim); Novartis AG has 5 segments (29.3% in Oncology).
  • Primary market structure: Quasi-Monopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: James Hardie Industries plc has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Novartis AG has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

James Hardie Industries plc

Siding & Trim

Market

North American fiber cement exterior siding & trim (plus related exterior products)

Geography

North America (primarily U.S. and Canada)

Customer

Homebuilders, contractors, remodelers, dealers/distributors, and retailers

Role

Manufacturer / branded building-products supplier

Revenue share

64.2%

Novartis AG

Oncology

Market

Oncology and hematology branded medicines (including targeted therapies and radioligand therapy)

Geography

Global

Customer

Oncologists and hospitals; reimbursed by payers; hospital and specialty pharmacy channels

Role

Originator developer, manufacturer, and marketer of oncology therapies

Revenue share

29.3%

Side-by-side metrics

James Hardie Industries plc
Novartis AG
Ticker / Exchange
JHX - ASX
NOVN - SIX Swiss Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$17.8B
n/a
Gross margin (TTM)
36.3%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
13.6%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
4.7%
n/a
Sector
Materials
Healthcare
Industry
Construction Materials
n/a
HQ country
IE
CH
Primary segment
Siding & Trim
Oncology
Market structure
Quasi-Monopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
88%-92% (estimated)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
74 / 100
65 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Capex Knowhow ScaleBrand Trust

James Hardie Industries plc strengths

Long Term ContractsOperational ExcellenceDistribution Control

Novartis AG strengths

IP Choke PointRegulated Standards Pipe

Segment mix

James Hardie Industries plc segments

Full profile >

Siding & Trim

Quasi-Monopoly

64.2%

Deck, Rail & Accessories

Oligopoly

11.7%

Australia & New Zealand

Oligopoly

11.6%

Europe

Competitive

12.5%

Novartis AG segments

Full profile >

Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic

Oligopoly

17%

Immunology

Oligopoly

18.5%

Neuroscience

Oligopoly

9.4%

Oncology

Oligopoly

29.3%

Established Brands

Competitive

25.8%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.