VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Medtronic plc vs Watsco, Inc.

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

Watsco, Inc.

WSO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)10.2%
Net margin (TTM)7.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
72/ 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 Watsco, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View WSO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Watsco, Inc. leads (72 / 100 vs 63 / 100 for Medtronic plc).
  • Segment focus: Medtronic plc has 4 segments (37.2% in Cardiovascular Portfolio); Watsco, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in HVAC/R Distribution).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Medtronic plc has 9 moat types across 3 domains; Watsco, Inc. 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%

Watsco, Inc.

HVAC/R Distribution

Market

HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies distribution

Geography

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico; export to Latin America/Caribbean)

Customer

Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors (residential & commercial)

Role

Wholesale distributor

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Medtronic plc
Watsco, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
MDT - New York Stock Exchange
WSO - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$124.9B
$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
62.3%
28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
17.9%
10.2%
Net margin (TTM)
13.7%
7.4%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
IE
US
Primary segment
Cardiovascular Portfolio
HVAC/R Distribution
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
9%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
63 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Demand, Network
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow Lockin

Medtronic plc strengths

Regulated Standards PipeDesign In QualificationEcosystem ComplementsIP Choke PointProcurement InertiaSuite BundlingCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base Consumables

Watsco, Inc. strengths

Physical Network DensityContractual ExclusivityScale Economies Unit Cost

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%

Watsco, Inc. segments

Full profile >

HVAC/R Distribution

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.