VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Paychex, Inc. vs Safran

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

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

Safran

SAF · Euronext Paris

Market cap (USD)$131.7B
Gross margin (TTM)32.8%
Operating margin (TTM)14.4%
Net margin (TTM)10.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAerospace & Defense
CountryFR
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
74/ 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 Safran's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SAF analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Safran leads (74 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Paychex, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Paychex, Inc. has 3 segments (73% in Management Solutions); Safran has 3 segments (50% in Propulsion).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Paychex, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Safran has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

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%

Safran

Propulsion

Market

Aircraft propulsion (commercial, military and helicopter engines) and engine aftermarket (spares, MRO, RPFH)

Geography

Global

Customer

Aircraft OEMs, airlines/lessors, MRO operators, and militaries

Role

Engine OEM + aftermarket service provider (incl. CFM JV participation)

Revenue share

50%

Side-by-side metrics

Paychex, Inc.
Safran
Ticker / Exchange
PAYX - NASDAQ Global Select Market
SAF - Euronext Paris
Market cap (USD)
$39.4B
$131.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
73.4%
32.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
37.1%
14.4%
Net margin (TTM)
26.5%
10.8%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Staffing & Employment Services
Aerospace & Defense
HQ country
US
FR
Primary segment
Management Solutions
Propulsion
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
66 / 100
74 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal, Financial
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-04
2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Service Field Network

Paychex, Inc. strengths

Data Workflow LockinSuite BundlingCompliance AdvantageUnderwriting Risk PoolingSwitching Costs GeneralFloat Prepayment

Safran strengths

Installed Base ConsumablesLong Term ContractsCapex Knowhow ScaleRegulated Standards PipeDesign In QualificationGovernment Contracting RelationshipsOperational Excellence

Segment mix

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%

Safran segments

Full profile >

Propulsion

Oligopoly

50%

Equipment & Defense

Oligopoly

38.9%

Aircraft Interiors

Competitive

11.1%

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.