VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Stock Comparison
McDonald's Corporation vs Merck & Co., Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
McDonald's Corporation
MCD · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MCD analysisMerck & Co., Inc.
MRK · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MRK analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: McDonald's Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Merck & Co., Inc.).
- Segment focus: McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets); Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical).
- Moat breadth: McDonald's Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 across 3.
Primary market context
McDonald's Corporation
International Operated Markets
Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)
International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)
Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)
Franchisor / restaurant operator
48.7%
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceutical
Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines
Global
Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics
R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer
89.5%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
No overlap yet.
McDonald's Corporation strengths
Merck & Co., Inc. strengths
Segment mix
McDonald's Corporation segments
Full profile >U.S.
Competitive
International Operated Markets
Competitive
International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate
Competitive
Merck & Co., Inc. segments
Full profile >Pharmaceutical
Competitive
Animal Health
Oligopoly
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View the moat stocks listCuration & 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.