VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Microchip Technology Incorporated vs Waters 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)$40.5B
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

Waters Corporation

WAT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$23.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
Industry
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-09
Moat score
66/ 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 Waters Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View WAT analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Microchip Technology Incorporated leads (71 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Waters Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Microchip Technology Incorporated has 3 segments (51.1% in Mixed-signal Microcontrollers); Waters Corporation has 4 segments (34.9% in Waters instrument systems).
  • Moat breadth: Microchip Technology Incorporated has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Waters Corporation has 7 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%

Waters Corporation

Waters instrument systems

Market

Liquid chromatography (LC/UPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) analytical instrument systems (including LC-MS workflows and instrument control/data system software)

Geography

Global

Customer

Pharma/biotech, industrial, academic and government laboratories

Role

OEM + software/platform provider

Revenue share

34.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Microchip Technology Incorporated
Waters Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MCHP - NASDAQ
WAT - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$40.5B
$23.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
50.1%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
1.4%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
-4.4%
n/a
Sector
Technology
Healthcare
Industry
Semiconductors
n/a
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Mixed-signal Microcontrollers
Waters instrument systems
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
6%-12% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
66 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-09

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Design In Qualification

Microchip Technology Incorporated strengths

Training Org Change CostsOperational ExcellenceSwitching Costs GeneralScope EconomiesIP Choke Point

Waters Corporation strengths

Data Workflow LockinBrand TrustInstalled Base ConsumablesSupply Chain ControlLong Term ContractsService Field Network

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%

Waters Corporation segments

Full profile >

Waters instrument systems

Oligopoly

34.9%

Chemistry consumables

Competitive

19.1%

Waters service & software maintenance

Competitive

34%

TA instrument systems & service

Oligopoly

12%

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.