VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Mastercard Incorporated vs The Sherwin-Williams Company

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

Mastercard Incorporated

MA · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$516.9B
SectorFinancials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-21
Moat score
77/ 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 Mastercard Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MA analysis

The Sherwin-Williams Company

SHW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$80.4B
SectorMaterials
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
84/ 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 The Sherwin-Williams Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SHW analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: The Sherwin-Williams Company leads (84 / 100 vs 77 / 100 for Mastercard Incorporated).
  • Segment focus: Mastercard Incorporated has 2 segments (61.5% in Payment Network); The Sherwin-Williams Company has 3 segments (57.1% in Paint Stores Group).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Mastercard Incorporated has 6 moat types across 3 domains; The Sherwin-Williams Company has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

Mastercard Incorporated

Payment Network

Market

Four-party card payment network (switching, acceptance, and network-related services)

Geography

Global

Customer

Issuers, acquirers, merchants, account holders

Role

Network operator (authorization, clearing, settlement) and rules/standards steward

Revenue share

61.5%

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Paint Stores Group

Market

Company-operated paint & coatings retail (architectural + related products)

Geography

United States, Canada, Caribbean

Customer

Professional contractors and DIY homeowners

Role

Manufacturer-owned retail / distribution

Revenue share

57.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Mastercard Incorporated
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Ticker / Exchange
MA - New York Stock Exchange
SHW - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$516.9B
$80.4B
Sector
Financials
Materials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Payment Network
Paint Stores Group
Market structure
Oligopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
29.7% (reported)
69.4% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
77 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand, Legal
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2025-12-21
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Mastercard Incorporated strengths

Two Sided NetworkClearing SettlementRegulated Standards PipeData Network EffectsData Workflow Lockin

The Sherwin-Williams Company strengths

Distribution ControlService Field NetworkScope EconomiesSwitching Costs GeneralCompliance Advantage

Segment mix

Mastercard Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Payment Network

Oligopoly

61.5%

Value-Added Services and Solutions

Competitive

38.5%

The Sherwin-Williams Company segments

Full profile >

Paint Stores Group

Quasi-Monopoly

57.1%

Consumer Brands Group

Oligopoly

13.5%

Performance Coatings Group

Oligopoly

29.4%

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.