VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Stock Comparison

Republic Services, Inc. vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

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

Republic Services, Inc.

RSG · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$66.4B
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

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

VRTX · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorHealthcare
IndustryBiotechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-08
Moat score
99/ 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VRTX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated leads (99 / 100 vs 80 / 100 for Republic Services, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Republic Services, Inc. has 2 segments (88.5% in Recycling & Waste Services); Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 3 segments (99.9% in Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Republic Services, Inc. has 7 moat types across 3 domains; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

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%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Market

CFTR modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis

Geography

U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada

Customer

Patients (via specialty pharmacies/payers); CF care centers

Role

Drug developer/manufacturer

Revenue share

99.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Republic Services, Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ticker / Exchange
RSG - New York Stock Exchange
VRTX - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$66.4B
$119B
Gross margin (TTM)
30.6%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
20.1%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
12.8%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Industry
Waste Management
Biotechnology
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Recycling & Waste Services
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators
Market structure
Competitive
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
12%-15% (implied)
70%-78% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
80 / 100
99 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply, Demand
Legal, Demand, Financial, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-08

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Capacity MoatService Field Network

Republic Services, Inc. strengths

Permits Rights Of WayPhysical Network DensityScope EconomiesLong Term ContractsCompliance Advantage

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated strengths

IP Choke PointGovernment Contracting RelationshipsSwitching Costs GeneralBenchmark Pricing PowerRegulated Standards Pipe

Segment mix

Republic Services, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Recycling & Waste Services

Competitive

88.5%

Environmental Solutions

Competitive

11.5%

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated segments

Full profile >

Cystic Fibrosis CFTR Modulators

Quasi-Monopoly

99.9%

Hemoglobinopathies Gene Therapy (CASGEVY)

Oligopoly

0.1%

Acute Pain (JOURNAVX)

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.