VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Microchip Technology Incorporated vs Pool Corporation

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

Microchip Technology Incorporated

MCHP · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$36.1B
Gross margin (TTM)50.1%
Operating margin (TTM)1.4%
Net margin (TTM)-4.4%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySemiconductors
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
71/ 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 Microchip Technology Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MCHP analysis

Pool Corporation

POOL · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)11.1%
Net margin (TTM)7.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
56/ 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 Pool Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View POOL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Microchip Technology Incorporated leads (71 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Pool Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Microchip Technology Incorporated has 3 segments (51.1% in Mixed-signal Microcontrollers); Pool Corporation has 1 segment (100% in Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Microchip Technology Incorporated has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Pool Corporation has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Microchip Technology Incorporated

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Market

Embedded microcontrollers & microprocessors for embedded control

Geography

Global

Customer

OEMs and distributors (embedded system designers)

Role

IDM / hybrid manufacturing semiconductor supplier

Revenue share

51.1%

Pool Corporation

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Market

Wholesale distribution of swimming pool, irrigation/landscape, and related outdoor living products

Geography

North America (majority), with operations in Europe and Australia

Customer

Pool builders/remodelers, pool service/repair professionals, specialty pool retailers, irrigation/landscape contractors, commercial pool operators

Role

Distributor / wholesaler

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Microchip Technology Incorporated
Pool Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MCHP - NASDAQ
POOL - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$36.1B
$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
50.1%
29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
1.4%
11.1%
Net margin (TTM)
-4.4%
7.8%
Sector
Technology
Industrials
Industry
Semiconductors
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Mixed-signal Microcontrollers
Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
6%-12% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
71 / 100
56 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scope Economies

Microchip Technology Incorporated strengths

Training Org Change CostsOperational ExcellenceSwitching Costs GeneralIP Choke PointDesign In Qualification

Pool Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostProcurement InertiaData Workflow Lockin

Segment mix

Microchip Technology Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Mixed-signal Microcontrollers

Oligopoly

51.1%

Analog

Oligopoly

26.3%

Other (FPGA, memory, timing systems, manufacturing services, SuperFlash licensing)

Oligopoly

22.6%

Pool Corporation segments

Full profile >

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Competitive

100%

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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.