VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Lam Research Corporation vs Pool Corporation

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

Lam Research Corporation

LRCX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$244.6B
Gross margin (TTM)49.3%
Operating margin (TTM)33%
Net margin (TTM)29.7%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
73/ 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 Lam Research Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View LRCX 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: Lam Research Corporation leads (73 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Pool Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Lam Research Corporation has 2 segments (62.3% in Systems); Pool Corporation has 1 segment (100% in Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Lam Research Corporation has 6 moat types across 2 domains; Pool Corporation has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Lam Research Corporation

Systems

Market

Wafer fabrication equipment (etch, deposition, clean and related wafer processing tools)

Geography

Global

Customer

Semiconductor manufacturers (memory, foundry, logic/IDM)

Role

Equipment OEM

Revenue share

62.3%

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

Lam Research Corporation
Pool Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
LRCX - NASDAQ
POOL - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$244.6B
$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
49.3%
29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
33%
11.1%
Net margin (TTM)
29.7%
7.8%
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
Semiconductors
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Systems
Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
8%-12% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
73 / 100
56 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow Lockin

Lam Research Corporation strengths

Design In QualificationCapex Knowhow ScaleLearning Curve YieldInstalled Base ConsumablesService Field Network

Pool Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostScope EconomiesProcurement Inertia

Segment mix

Lam Research Corporation segments

Full profile >

Systems

Oligopoly

62.3%

Customer Support Business Group (CSBG)

Quasi-Monopoly

37.7%

Pool Corporation segments

Full profile >

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Competitive

100%

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.