VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

McDonald's Corporation vs Spotify Technology S.A.

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)$214.3B
Gross margin (TTM)57.4%
Operating margin (TTM)46.1%
Net margin (TTM)32%
SectorConsumer
IndustryRestaurants
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

Spotify Technology S.A.

SPOT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)11.7%
Net margin (TTM)8.3%
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryInternet Content & Information
CountryLU
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
65/ 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 Spotify Technology S.A.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SPOT analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: McDonald's Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Spotify Technology S.A.).
  • Segment focus: McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets); Spotify Technology S.A. has 2 segments (88.2% in Premium (subscription)).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: McDonald's Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Spotify Technology S.A. has 6 across 4.

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%

Spotify Technology S.A.

Premium (subscription)

Market

Paid music and audio streaming subscriptions

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users) and distribution partners (e.g., telcos)

Role

Streaming platform operator

Revenue share

88.2%

Side-by-side metrics

McDonald's Corporation
Spotify Technology S.A.
Ticker / Exchange
MCD - New York Stock Exchange
SPOT - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$214.3B
$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
57.4%
31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
46.1%
11.7%
Net margin (TTM)
32%
8.3%
Sector
Consumer
Communication Services
Industry
Restaurants
Internet Content & Information
HQ country
US
LU
Primary segment
International Operated Markets
Premium (subscription)
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
31%-33% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
80 / 100
65 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply
Network, Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

McDonald's Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityDistribution ControlOperational ExcellenceLong Term Contracts

Spotify Technology S.A. strengths

Data Network EffectsInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkContent Rights CurrencyScale Economies Unit Cost

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%

Spotify Technology S.A. segments

Full profile >

Premium (subscription)

Oligopoly

88.2%

Ad-Supported (advertising)

Competitive

11.8%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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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.