VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Spotify Technology S.A. vs Universal Music Group N.V.

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

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

Universal Music Group N.V.

UMG · Euronext Amsterdam

Market cap (USD)$40.5B
Gross margin (TTM)40.4%
Operating margin (TTM)10.4%
Net margin (TTM)17.5%
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryEntertainment
CountryNL
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
77/ 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 Universal Music Group N.V.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View UMG analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Universal Music Group N.V. leads (77 / 100 vs 65 / 100 for Spotify Technology S.A.).
  • Segment focus: Spotify Technology S.A. has 2 segments (88.2% in Premium (subscription)); Universal Music Group N.V. has 3 segments (75.2% in Recorded Music).
  • Moat breadth: Spotify Technology S.A. has 6 moat types across 4 domains; Universal Music Group N.V. has 5 across 3.

Primary market context

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%

Universal Music Group N.V.

Recorded Music

Market

Recorded music rights (labels) and monetization (streaming, physical, licensing/sync)

Geography

Global

Customer

Digital service providers (audio/video/social), physical retailers, and licensing counterparties

Role

Label / master rights holder; artist development, marketing and distribution

Revenue share

75.2%

Side-by-side metrics

Spotify Technology S.A.
Universal Music Group N.V.
Ticker / Exchange
SPOT - New York Stock Exchange
UMG - Euronext Amsterdam
Market cap (USD)
$121.5B
$40.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
31.8%
40.4%
Operating margin (TTM)
11.7%
10.4%
Net margin (TTM)
8.3%
17.5%
Sector
Communication Services
Communication Services
Industry
Internet Content & Information
Entertainment
HQ country
LU
NL
Primary segment
Premium (subscription)
Recorded Music
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
31%-33% (reported)
31%-33% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
65 / 100
77 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand, Legal, Supply
Legal, Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-06
2025-12-28

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand TrustContent Rights CurrencyScale Economies Unit Cost

Spotify Technology S.A. strengths

Data Network EffectsInteroperability HubTwo Sided Network

Universal Music Group N.V. strengths

Long Term ContractsService Field Network

Segment mix

Spotify Technology S.A. segments

Full profile >

Premium (subscription)

Oligopoly

88.2%

Ad-Supported (advertising)

Competitive

11.8%

Universal Music Group N.V. segments

Full profile >

Recorded Music

Oligopoly

75.2%

Music Publishing

Oligopoly

17.9%

Merchandising and Other

Competitive

7.1%

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.