VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Stock Comparison

Starbucks Corporation vs The Sherwin-Williams Company

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

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$96.7B
SectorConsumer
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

The Sherwin-Williams Company

SHW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$80.4B
SectorMaterials
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 The Sherwin-Williams Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SHW analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: The Sherwin-Williams Company leads (84 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Starbucks Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America); The Sherwin-Williams Company has 3 segments (57.1% in Paint Stores Group).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Quasi-Monopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Starbucks Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; The Sherwin-Williams Company has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

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%

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Paint Stores Group

Market

Company-operated paint & coatings retail (architectural + related products)

Geography

United States, Canada, Caribbean

Customer

Professional contractors and DIY homeowners

Role

Manufacturer-owned retail / distribution

Revenue share

57.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Starbucks Corporation
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Ticker / Exchange
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
SHW - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$96.7B
$80.4B
Sector
Consumer
Materials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
North America
Paint Stores Group
Market structure
Competitive
Quasi-Monopoly
Market share
35%-40% (implied)
69.4% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
70 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Supply, Demand, Legal
Last update
2025-12-31
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand TrustScope Economies

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Habit DefaultPhysical Network DensityOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual Exclusivity

The Sherwin-Williams Company strengths

Distribution ControlService Field NetworkSwitching Costs GeneralCompliance Advantage

Segment mix

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

The Sherwin-Williams Company segments

Full profile >

Paint Stores Group

Quasi-Monopoly

57.1%

Consumer Brands Group

Oligopoly

13.5%

Performance Coatings Group

Oligopoly

29.4%

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.