VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. vs Paychex, Inc.

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)$29.6B
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

Paychex, Inc.

PAYX · NASDAQ Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$39.4B
Gross margin (TTM)73.4%
Operating margin (TTM)37.1%
Net margin (TTM)26.5%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryStaffing & Employment Services
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
66/ 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 Paychex, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PAYX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. leads (73 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Paychex, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has 3 segments (56% in Laboratory Products and Services); Paychex, Inc. has 3 segments (73% in Management Solutions).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Paychex, Inc. has 7 across 4.

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%

Paychex, Inc.

Management Solutions

Market

Payroll processing and integrated HCM solutions for SMB and mid-market employers

Geography

United States (primarily)

Customer

Employers (SMB and mid-market)

Role

HCM SaaS + outsourced payroll/HR service provider

Revenue share

73%

Side-by-side metrics

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Paychex, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
MTD - New York Stock Exchange
PAYX - NASDAQ Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$29.6B
$39.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
58.4%
73.4%
Operating margin (TTM)
28.6%
37.1%
Net margin (TTM)
21.2%
26.5%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Staffing & Employment Services
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Laboratory Products and Services
Management Solutions
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
66 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Demand, Supply, Legal, Financial
Last update
2026-01-01
2026-01-04

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinService Field NetworkSwitching Costs GeneralCompliance Advantage

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. strengths

Brand Trust

Paychex, Inc. strengths

Suite BundlingUnderwriting Risk PoolingFloat Prepayment

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%

Paychex, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Management Solutions

Oligopoly

73%

PEO and Insurance Solutions

Competitive

24.1%

Client funds float (interest on funds held for clients)

Oligopoly

2.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.