VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

The Charles Schwab Corporation vs Spotify Technology S.A.

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

The Charles Schwab Corporation

SCHW · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$188.7B
Gross margin (TTM)84.4%
Operating margin (TTM)39%
Net margin (TTM)30.3%
SectorFinancials
IndustryFinancial - Capital Markets
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-26
Moat score
74/ 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 Charles Schwab Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SCHW analysis

Spotify Technology S.A.

SPOT · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)11.7%
Net margin (TTM)8.3%
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryInternet Content & Information
CountryLU
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
65/ 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 Spotify Technology S.A.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SPOT analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: The Charles Schwab Corporation leads (74 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Spotify Technology S.A.).
  • Segment focus: The Charles Schwab Corporation has 2 segments (79.4% in Investor Services); Spotify Technology S.A. has 2 segments (88.2% in Premium (subscription)).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: The Charles Schwab Corporation has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Spotify Technology S.A. has 6 across 4.

Primary market context

The Charles Schwab Corporation

Investor Services

Market

U.S. retail brokerage, self-directed investing, and wealth management platforms

Geography

United States

Customer

Retail investors, employers, retirement plan sponsors

Role

Broker-dealer + bank + wealth manager platform

Revenue share

79.4%

Spotify Technology S.A.

Premium (subscription)

Market

Paid music and audio streaming subscriptions

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users) and distribution partners (e.g., telcos)

Role

Streaming platform operator

Revenue share

88.2%

Side-by-side metrics

The Charles Schwab Corporation
Spotify Technology S.A.
Ticker / Exchange
SCHW - New York Stock Exchange
SPOT - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$188.7B
$121.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
84.4%
31.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
39%
11.7%
Net margin (TTM)
30.3%
8.3%
Sector
Financials
Communication Services
Industry
Financial - Capital Markets
Internet Content & Information
HQ country
US
LU
Primary segment
Investor Services
Premium (subscription)
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
31%-33% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
74 / 100
65 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Financial, Network
Network, Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-26
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Scale Economies Unit CostBrand Trust

The Charles Schwab Corporation strengths

Suite BundlingFloat PrepaymentData Workflow LockinEcosystem ComplementsService Field Network

Spotify Technology S.A. strengths

Data Network EffectsInteroperability HubTwo Sided NetworkContent Rights Currency

Segment mix

The Charles Schwab Corporation segments

Full profile >

Investor Services

Oligopoly

79.4%

Advisor Services

Oligopoly

20.6%

Spotify Technology S.A. segments

Full profile >

Premium (subscription)

Oligopoly

88.2%

Ad-Supported (advertising)

Competitive

11.8%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.