VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

McDonald's Corporation vs Northrop Grumman Corporation

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

McDonald's Corporation

MCD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$221.3B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
80/ 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 McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCD analysis

Northrop Grumman Corporation

NOC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$83.1B
SectorIndustrials
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 Northrop Grumman Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NOC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: McDonald's Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 72 / 100 for Northrop Grumman Corporation).
  • Segment focus: McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets); Northrop Grumman Corporation has 4 segments (28.7% in Aeronautics Systems).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: McDonald's Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Northrop Grumman Corporation has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

McDonald's Corporation

International Operated Markets

Market

Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)

Geography

International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)

Customer

Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)

Role

Franchisor / restaurant operator

Revenue share

48.7%

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Aeronautics Systems

Market

Military aircraft systems (manned & unmanned) plus sustainment/modernization

Geography

Global (primarily United States and allies)

Customer

U.S. government and allied governments

Role

Prime contractor and major subsystem supplier

Revenue share

28.7%

Side-by-side metrics

McDonald's Corporation
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MCD - New York Stock Exchange
NOC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$221.3B
$83.1B
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
International Operated Markets
Aeronautics Systems
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-30
2025-12-26

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

McDonald's Corporation strengths

Brand TrustPhysical Network DensityDistribution ControlOperational ExcellenceLong Term Contracts

Northrop Grumman Corporation strengths

Government Contracting RelationshipsDesign In QualificationCompliance AdvantageCapacity MoatSwitching Costs GeneralCapex Knowhow Scale

Segment mix

McDonald's Corporation segments

Full profile >

U.S.

Competitive

41%

International Operated Markets

Competitive

48.7%

International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate

Competitive

10.3%

Northrop Grumman Corporation segments

Full profile >

Aeronautics Systems

Oligopoly

28.7%

Defense Systems

Oligopoly

18.8%

Mission Systems

Oligopoly

24.9%

Space Systems

Oligopoly

27.6%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.