VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Pool Corporation vs Starbucks Corporation

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

Pool Corporation

POOL · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$8.8B
Gross margin (TTM)29.6%
Operating margin (TTM)11.1%
Net margin (TTM)7.8%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
56/ 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 Pool Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View POOL analysis

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)9.7%
Net margin (TTM)5%
SectorConsumer
IndustryRestaurants
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
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 Starbucks Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SBUX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Starbucks Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Pool Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Pool Corporation has 1 segment (100% in Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)); Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Pool Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Starbucks Corporation has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

Pool Corporation

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Market

Wholesale distribution of swimming pool, irrigation/landscape, and related outdoor living products

Geography

North America (majority), with operations in Europe and Australia

Customer

Pool builders/remodelers, pool service/repair professionals, specialty pool retailers, irrigation/landscape contractors, commercial pool operators

Role

Distributor / wholesaler

Revenue share

100%

Starbucks Corporation

North America

Market

Branded coffeehouse retail (company-operated + licensed)

Geography

U.S. and Canada

Customer

Consumers

Role

Retailer / brand owner

Revenue share

73.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Pool Corporation
Starbucks Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
POOL - NASDAQ
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$8.8B
$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
29.6%
22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
11.1%
9.7%
Net margin (TTM)
7.8%
5%
Sector
Industrials
Consumer
Industry
Industrial - Distribution
Restaurants
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)
North America
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
35%-40% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
56 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-06
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network DensityScope Economies

Pool Corporation strengths

Scale Economies Unit CostProcurement InertiaData Workflow Lockin

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual Exclusivity

Segment mix

Pool Corporation segments

Full profile >

Wholesale distribution (pool, irrigation, outdoor living)

Competitive

100%

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.