VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Stock Comparison

MTU Aero Engines AG vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

MTU Aero Engines AG

MTX · Deutsche Boerse XETRA

Market cap (USD)$20B
Gross margin (TTM)12.7%
Operating margin (TTM)3%
Net margin (TTM)6.1%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAerospace & Defense
CountryDE
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
61/ 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 MTU Aero Engines AG's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MTX 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: Norfolk Southern Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 61 / 100 for MTU Aero Engines AG).
  • Segment focus: MTU Aero Engines AG has 2 segments (67.4% in MRO business (commercial maintenance)); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: MTU Aero Engines AG has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

MTU Aero Engines AG

MRO business (commercial maintenance)

Market

Commercial aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (engine MRO) and associated services

Geography

Global

Customer

Airlines, lessors and engine owners/operators

Role

Aftermarket service provider (engine shop visits, repairs, on-wing services, leasing/asset management)

Revenue share

67.4%

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

MTU Aero Engines AG
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
MTX - Deutsche Boerse XETRA
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$20B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
12.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
3%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
6.1%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Railroads
HQ country
DE
US
Primary segment
MRO business (commercial maintenance)
Merchandise
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
10% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
61 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

MTU Aero Engines AG strengths

Design In QualificationScope EconomiesCapex Knowhow ScaleGovernment Contracting RelationshipsService Field NetworkOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessLong Term Contracts

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WayScale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Segment mix

MTU Aero Engines AG segments

Full profile >

OEM business (commercial and military engine business)

Oligopoly

32.6%

MRO business (commercial maintenance)

Competitive

67.4%

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.

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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.