VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Masco Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

Masco Corporation

MAS · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$13.4B
Gross margin (TTM)35.7%
Operating margin (TTM)17%
Net margin (TTM)10.9%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryConstruction
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-26
Moat score
72/ 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 Masco Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MAS analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Masco Corporation leads (72 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Norfolk Southern Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Masco Corporation has 2 segments (62% in Plumbing Products); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Masco Corporation has 3 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Masco Corporation

Plumbing Products

Market

Residential plumbing fixtures and fittings (faucets, showers, valves, bath hardware, sinks) and plumbing components

Geography

North America and Europe

Customer

Home center retailers, wholesalers/distributors and online retailers; end users include plumbers, contractors, remodelers, homebuilders and consumers

Role

Branded manufacturer

Revenue share

62%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Masco Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MAS - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$13.4B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
35.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
17%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
10.9%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Construction
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Plumbing Products
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
72 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-26
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Masco Corporation strengths

Brand TrustScope EconomiesContractual Exclusivity

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Masco Corporation segments

Full profile >

Plumbing Products

Oligopoly

62%

Decorative Architectural Products

Oligopoly

38%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

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.