VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Medtronic plc vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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)$125.1B
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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

VRTX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
IndustryBiotechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
99/ 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VRTX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated leads (99 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for Medtronic plc).
  • Segment focus: Medtronic plc has 4 segments (37.2% in Cardiovascular Portfolio); Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Medtronic plc has 9 moat types across 3 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

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%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Market

CFTR modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis

Geography

U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada

Customer

Patients (via specialty pharmacies/payers); CF care centers

Role

Drug developer/manufacturer

Revenue share

99.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Medtronic plc
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
MDT - New York Stock Exchange
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$125.1B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
62.3%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
17.9%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
13.7%
n/a
Sector
Healthcare
Healthcare
Industry
Medical - Devices
Biotechnology
HQ country
IE
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular Portfolio
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Oligopoly
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
n/a
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
63 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Demand, Network
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Regulated Standards PipeIP Choke Point

Medtronic plc strengths

Data Workflow LockinDesign In QualificationEcosystem ComplementsProcurement InertiaSuite BundlingCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base Consumables

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

Government Contracting RelationshipsSwitching Costs GeneralBenchmark Pricing PowerService Field NetworkCapacity Moat

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%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Quasi-Monopoly

99.9%

Hemoglobinopathies Gene Therapy (CASGEVY)

Oligopoly

0.1%

Acute Pain (JOURNAVX)

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.