VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Medtronic plc vs Pool 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)$124.9B
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

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: Medtronic plc leads (63 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Pool Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Medtronic plc has 4 segments (37.2% in Cardiovascular Portfolio); 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: Medtronic plc has 9 moat types across 3 domains; Pool Corporation has 5 across 2.

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%

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

Medtronic plc
Pool Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MDT - New York Stock Exchange
POOL - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$124.9B
$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)
62.3%
29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
17.9%
11.1%
Net margin (TTM)
13.7%
7.8%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
IE
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular Portfolio
Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
63 / 100
56 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Demand, Network
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinProcurement Inertia

Medtronic plc strengths

Regulated Standards PipeDesign In QualificationEcosystem ComplementsIP Choke PointSuite BundlingCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base Consumables

Pool Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityScale Economies Unit CostScope Economies

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%

Pool Corporation segments

Full profile >

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Competitive

100%

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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.