VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Merck & Co., Inc. vs Starbucks Corporation

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

Merck & Co., Inc.

MRK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$250.9B
SectorHealthcare
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-22
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 Merck & Co., Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MRK analysis

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$96.7B
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Starbucks Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SBUX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Merck & Co., Inc. leads (71 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Starbucks Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Merck & Co., Inc. has 2 segments (89.5% in Pharmaceutical); Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America).
  • Moat breadth: Merck & Co., Inc. has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Starbucks Corporation has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

Merck & Co., Inc.

Pharmaceutical

Market

Branded prescription pharmaceuticals & human vaccines

Geography

Global

Customer

Wholesalers/retailers, managed care and government payers, hospitals/clinics

Role

R&D-intensive innovator, manufacturer, and marketer

Revenue share

89.5%

Starbucks Corporation

North America

Market

Branded coffeehouse retail (company-operated + licensed)

Geography

U.S. and Canada

Customer

Consumers

Role

Retailer / brand owner

Revenue share

73.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Merck & Co., Inc.
Starbucks Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MRK - New York Stock Exchange
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$250.9B
$96.7B
Sector
Healthcare
Consumer
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Pharmaceutical
North America
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
35%-40% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-22
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scope Economies

Merck & Co., Inc. strengths

IP Choke PointRegulated Standards PipeCapex Knowhow ScaleData Workflow Lockin

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultPhysical Network DensityOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual Exclusivity

Segment mix

Merck & Co., Inc. segments

Full profile >

Pharmaceutical

Competitive

89.5%

Animal Health

Oligopoly

9.2%

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

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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.