VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Starbucks Corporation vs TC Energy Corporation

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)$96.1B
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

TC Energy Corporation

TRP · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$37B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorEnergy
Industry
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-02
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 TC Energy Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View TRP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: TC Energy Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 70 / 100 for Starbucks Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America); TC Energy Corporation has 4 segments (46.1% in U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Weak.
  • Moat breadth: Starbucks Corporation has 7 moat types across 3 domains; TC Energy Corporation has 4 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%

TC Energy Corporation

U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines

Market

U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline transportation (FERC-regulated)

Geography

United States

Customer

Utilities/LDCs, power generators, LNG/export facilities, industrial users and marketers (as shippers)

Role

Midstream pipeline operator

Revenue share

46.1%

Side-by-side metrics

Starbucks Corporation
TC Energy Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
TRP - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$96.1B
$37B
Gross margin (TTM)
22.9%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
9.7%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
5%
n/a
Sector
Consumer
Energy
Industry
Restaurants
n/a
HQ country
US
CA
Primary segment
North America
U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
35%-40% (implied)
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Weak
Moat score
70 / 100
80 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-31
2026-01-02

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network Density

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Brand TrustHabit DefaultOperational ExcellencePreferential Input AccessContractual ExclusivityScope Economies

TC Energy Corporation strengths

Regulated Standards PipeLong Term ContractsGovernment Contracting Relationships

Segment mix

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

TC Energy Corporation segments

Full profile >

Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines

Quasi-Monopoly

40.7%

U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines

Oligopoly

46.1%

Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines

Oligopoly

6.3%

Power and Energy Solutions

Competitive

6.9%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

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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.