VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Philip Morris International Inc. vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

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

Philip Morris International Inc.

PM · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)
SectorConsumer
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
84/ 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 Philip Morris International Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PM analysis

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

UNH · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$123.8B
SectorHealthcare
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
64/ 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View UNH analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Philip Morris International Inc. leads (84 / 100 vs 64 / 100 for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated).
  • Segment focus: Philip Morris International Inc. has 3 segments (61.3% in Combustible Tobacco); UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has 4 segments (74.9% in UnitedHealthcare).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Strong vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Philip Morris International Inc. has 6 moat types across 3 domains; UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Philip Morris International Inc.

Combustible Tobacco

Market

International combustible tobacco (primarily cigarettes)

Geography

Global (primarily ex-U.S.)

Customer

Adult smokers; distributors/wholesalers and retail channels

Role

Branded manufacturer and distributor

Revenue share

61.3%

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

UnitedHealthcare

Market

U.S. health benefits / managed care (commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care)

Geography

United States (primarily)

Customer

Employers, individuals, and government-sponsored programs

Role

Health insurer / managed care organization

Revenue share

74.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Philip Morris International Inc.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
PM - New York Stock Exchange
UNH - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$123.8B
Sector
Consumer
Healthcare
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Combustible Tobacco
UnitedHealthcare
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
25.3% (reported)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Strong
Weak
Moat score
84 / 100
64 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Demand
Last update
2025-12-31
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Philip Morris International Inc. strengths

Brand TrustDistribution ControlCompliance AdvantageInstalled Base ConsumablesIP Choke PointRegulated Standards Pipe

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostSuite BundlingOperational ExcellenceData Workflow LockinTraining Org Change Costs

Segment mix

Philip Morris International Inc. segments

Full profile >

Combustible Tobacco

Oligopoly

61.3%

Smoke-Free Products

Oligopoly

37.8%

Wellness & Healthcare

Competitive

0.9%

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated segments

Full profile >

UnitedHealthcare

Oligopoly

74.9%

Optum Health

Competitive

9.9%

Optum Insight

Competitive

1.7%

Optum Rx

Oligopoly

13.5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

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.