VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Stock Comparison

Norfolk Southern Corporation vs Republic Services, Inc.

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

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

Republic Services, Inc.

RSG · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$65.9B
Gross margin (TTM)30.6%
Operating margin (TTM)20.1%
Net margin (TTM)12.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryWaste Management
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
80/ 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 Republic Services, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View RSG analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Republic Services, Inc. leads (80 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Norfolk Southern Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Norfolk Southern Corporation has 3 segments (62% in Merchandise); Republic Services, Inc. has 2 segments (88.5% in Recycling & Waste Services).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Norfolk Southern Corporation has 4 moat types across 3 domains; Republic Services, Inc. has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

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%

Republic Services, Inc.

Recycling & Waste Services

Market

Integrated non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, landfill disposal & recycling services

Geography

United States and Canada

Customer

Municipal, commercial, industrial

Role

Integrated hauler and disposal operator

Revenue share

88.5%

Side-by-side metrics

Norfolk Southern Corporation
Republic Services, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
NSC - New York Stock Exchange
RSG - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$65B
$65.9B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
30.6%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
20.1%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
12.8%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Railroads
Waste Management
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Merchandise
Recycling & Waste Services
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
12%-15% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
70 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Legal, Demand
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-02
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network DensityPermits Rights Of Way

Norfolk Southern Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostSwitching Costs General

Republic Services, Inc. strengths

Capacity MoatScope EconomiesLong Term ContractsCompliance AdvantageService Field Network

Segment mix

Norfolk Southern Corporation segments

Full profile >

Merchandise

Oligopoly

62%

Intermodal

Oligopoly

25%

Coal

Oligopoly

13%

Republic Services, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Recycling & Waste Services

Competitive

88.5%

Environmental Solutions

Competitive

11.5%

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.