VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Stock Comparison
The Sherwin-Williams Company vs Watsco, Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
The Sherwin-Williams Company
SHW · New York Stock Exchange
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 analysisWatsco, Inc.
WSO · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Watsco, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View WSO analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: The Sherwin-Williams Company leads (84 / 100 vs 72 / 100 for Watsco, Inc.).
- Segment focus: The Sherwin-Williams Company has 3 segments (57.1% in Paint Stores Group); Watsco, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in HVAC/R Distribution).
- Primary market structure: Quasi-Monopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Strong vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: The Sherwin-Williams Company has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Watsco, Inc. has 4 across 3.
Primary market context
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Paint Stores Group
Company-operated paint & coatings retail (architectural + related products)
United States, Canada, Caribbean
Professional contractors and DIY homeowners
Manufacturer-owned retail / distribution
57.1%
Watsco, Inc.
HVAC/R Distribution
HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies distribution
North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico; export to Latin America/Caribbean)
Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors (residential & commercial)
Wholesale distributor
100%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
No overlap yet.
The Sherwin-Williams Company strengths
Watsco, Inc. strengths
Segment mix
The Sherwin-Williams Company segments
Full profile >Paint Stores Group
Quasi-Monopoly
Consumer Brands Group
Oligopoly
Performance Coatings Group
Oligopoly
Watsco, Inc. segments
Full profile >HVAC/R Distribution
Competitive
Want the full wide moat stocks list?
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View expansion-stage stocksCuration & 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.