VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

MTD · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$28.7B
Gross margin (TTM)58.4%
Operating margin (TTM)28.6%
Net margin (TTM)21.2%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Diagnostics & Research
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
Moat score
73/ 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 Mettler-Toledo International Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MTD analysis

Norfolk Southern Corporation

NSC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-02
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 Norfolk Southern Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NSC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. leads (73 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Norfolk Southern Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has 3 segments (56% in Laboratory Products and Services); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

Laboratory Products and Services

Market

Laboratory precision weighing (balances/scales) and adjacent lab measurement & sample-prep instruments, plus related software and services

Geography

Global

Customer

Life science, chemical, academic, and testing laboratories (end-users) via direct sales and distributors

Role

Instrument OEM / software provider / service provider

Revenue share

56%

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Merchandise

Market

Eastern U.S. freight rail transportation for industrial & consumer goods

Geography

United States (Southeast/East/Midwest; NS network + interchanges)

Customer

Manufacturers, producers, and distributors

Role

Rail carrier

Revenue share

62%

Side-by-side metrics

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MTD - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$28.7B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
58.4%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
28.6%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
21.2%
n/a
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Laboratory Products and Services
Merchandise
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
25%-30% (estimated)
n/a
HHI estimate
2,440
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Moderate
Moat score
73 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2026-01-01
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs General

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. strengths

Brand TrustData Workflow LockinService Field NetworkCompliance Advantage

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit Cost

Segment mix

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. segments

Full profile >

Laboratory Products and Services

Oligopoly

56%

Industrial Products and Services

Competitive

39%

Food Retailing Products and Services

Competitive

5%

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.