VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

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Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

MTU Aero Engines AG vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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)$20.6B
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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

VRTX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
IndustryBiotechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
99/ 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VRTX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated leads (99 / 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)); Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: MTU Aero Engines AG has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

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%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Market

CFTR modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis

Geography

U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada

Customer

Patients (via specialty pharmacies/payers); CF care centers

Role

Drug developer/manufacturer

Revenue share

99.9%

Side-by-side metrics

MTU Aero Engines AG
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
MTX - Deutsche Boerse XETRA
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$20.6B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
12.7%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
3%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
6.1%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Biotechnology
HQ country
DE
US
Primary segment
MRO business (commercial maintenance)
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Competitive
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
10% (reported)
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
61 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Government Contracting RelationshipsService Field Network

MTU Aero Engines AG strengths

Design In QualificationScope EconomiesCapex Knowhow ScaleOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessLong Term Contracts

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

IP Choke PointSwitching Costs GeneralBenchmark Pricing PowerRegulated Standards PipeCapacity Moat

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%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Quasi-Monopoly

99.9%

Hemoglobinopathies Gene Therapy (CASGEVY)

Oligopoly

0.1%

Acute Pain (JOURNAVX)

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.