VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

NIKE, Inc. vs Norfolk Southern Corporation

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

NIKE, Inc.

NKE · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$93.4B
Gross margin (TTM)41.1%
Operating margin (TTM)6.5%
Net margin (TTM)5.4%
SectorConsumer
IndustryApparel - Footwear & Accessories
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-23
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 NIKE, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NKE 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: both at 70 / 100.
  • Segment focus: NIKE, Inc. has 3 segments (57.8% in Wholesale); Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: NIKE, Inc. has 6 moat types across 4 domains; Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

NIKE, Inc.

Wholesale

Market

Branded athletic & casual footwear/apparel wholesale distribution

Geography

Global

Customer

Retailers, distributors, licensees

Role

Brand owner / wholesaler

Revenue share

57.8%

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

NIKE, Inc.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
NKE - New York Stock Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$93.4B
$65B
Gross margin (TTM)
41.1%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
6.5%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
5.4%
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Industrials
Industry
Apparel - Footwear & Accessories
Railroads
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Wholesale
Merchandise
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
70 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Network, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-23
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scale Economies Unit Cost

NIKE, Inc. strengths

Brand TrustProcurement InertiaDistribution ControlEcosystem ComplementsIP Choke Point

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of WaySwitching Costs General

Segment mix

NIKE, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Wholesale

Competitive

57.8%

Direct to Consumer (DTC)

Competitive

42.1%

Brand licensing & other

Competitive

0.2%

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.