VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Medtronic plc vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

Medtronic plc

MDT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$122.9B
Gross margin (TTM)62.3%
Operating margin (TTM)17.9%
Net margin (TTM)13.7%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryIE
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
63/ 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 Medtronic plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MDT analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
Moat score
70/ 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Norfolk Southern Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for Medtronic plc).
  • Segment focus: Medtronic plc has 4 segments (37.2% in Cardiovascular Portfolio); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Moat breadth: Medtronic plc has 9 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Medtronic plc

Cardiovascular Portfolio

Market

Cardiovascular medical devices (cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology/ablation, structural heart, coronary & peripheral vascular)

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals, cath labs, electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiac & vascular surgeons

Role

Device OEM + procedure support + remote monitoring software/services

Revenue share

37.2%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Medtronic plc
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MDT - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$122.9B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
62.3%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
17.9%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
13.7%
n/a
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Railroads
HQ country
IE
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular Portfolio
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
63 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Demand, Network
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Medtronic plc strengths

Regulated Standards PipeData Workflow LockinDesign In QualificationEcosystem ComplementsIP Choke PointProcurement InertiaSuite BundlingCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base Consumables

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

Medtronic plc segments

Full profile >

Cardiovascular Portfolio

Oligopoly

37.2%

Neuroscience Portfolio

Oligopoly

29.4%

Medical Surgical Portfolio

Competitive

25.1%

Diabetes Operating Unit

Oligopoly

8.2%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

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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.