VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Microsoft Corporation vs Philip Morris International Inc.

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

Microsoft Corporation

MSFT · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$3.6T
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-21
Moat score
84/ 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 Microsoft Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MSFT analysis

Philip Morris International Inc.

PM · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
84/ 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 Philip Morris International Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PM analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score: both at 84 / 100.
  • Segment focus: Microsoft Corporation has 3 segments (42.9% in Productivity and Business Processes); Philip Morris International Inc. has 3 segments (61.3% in Combustible Tobacco).
  • Moat breadth: Microsoft Corporation has 9 moat types across 4 domains; Philip Morris International Inc. has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

Microsoft Corporation

Productivity and Business Processes

Market

Enterprise productivity & collaboration suites, business applications, and professional network platforms

Geography

Global

Customer

Enterprises, SMBs, consumers, recruiters/advertisers

Role

SaaS platform + professional network

Revenue share

42.9%

Philip Morris International Inc.

Combustible Tobacco

Market

International combustible tobacco (primarily cigarettes)

Geography

Global (primarily ex-U.S.)

Customer

Adult smokers; distributors/wholesalers and retail channels

Role

Branded manufacturer and distributor

Revenue share

61.3%

Side-by-side metrics

Microsoft Corporation
Philip Morris International Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
MSFT - Nasdaq Global Select Market
PM - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$3.6T
n/a
Sector
Technology
Consumer
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Productivity and Business Processes
Combustible Tobacco
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
25.3% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Strong
Moat score
84 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Network, Supply, Legal
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2025-12-21
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Microsoft Corporation strengths

Suite BundlingData Workflow LockinLong Term ContractsTwo Sided NetworkCapex Knowhow ScaleEcosystem ComplementsOperational ExcellenceDefault OS GatewayContent Rights Currency

Philip Morris International Inc. strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base ConsumablesIP Choke PointRegulated Standards Pipe

Segment mix

Microsoft Corporation segments

Full profile >

Productivity and Business Processes

Oligopoly

42.9%

Intelligent Cloud

Oligopoly

37.7%

More Personal Computing

Quasi-Monopoly

19.4%

Philip Morris International Inc. segments

Full profile >

Combustible Tobacco

Oligopoly

61.3%

Smoke-Free Products

Oligopoly

37.8%

Wellness & Healthcare

Competitive

0.9%

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.