VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Stryker Corporation vs Watsco, Inc.

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

Stryker Corporation

SYK · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$133.4B
Gross margin (TTM)62.6%
Operating margin (TTM)21.9%
Net margin (TTM)12.1%
SectorHealthcare
IndustryMedical - Devices
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
71/ 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 Stryker Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SYK analysis

Watsco, Inc.

WSO · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)10.2%
Net margin (TTM)7.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
72/ 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 Watsco, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View WSO analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Watsco, Inc. leads (72 / 100 vs 71 / 100 for Stryker Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Stryker Corporation has 2 segments (59.8% in MedSurg and Neurotechnology); Watsco, Inc. has 1 segment (100% in HVAC/R Distribution).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Stryker Corporation has 5 moat types across 3 domains; Watsco, Inc. has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

Stryker Corporation

MedSurg and Neurotechnology

Market

Hospital medical devices: surgical equipment and navigation, endoscopy and visualization, patient handling and emergency care, neurosurgical and neurovascular devices

Geography

Global

Customer

Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers; clinicians

Role

Medical device OEM + distributor/service provider

Revenue share

59.8%

Watsco, Inc.

HVAC/R Distribution

Market

HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies distribution

Geography

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico; export to Latin America/Caribbean)

Customer

Licensed HVAC and refrigeration contractors (residential & commercial)

Role

Wholesale distributor

Revenue share

100%

Side-by-side metrics

Stryker Corporation
Watsco, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
SYK - New York Stock Exchange
WSO - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$133.4B
$14.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
62.6%
28.3%
Operating margin (TTM)
21.9%
10.2%
Net margin (TTM)
12.1%
7.4%
Sector
Healthcare
Industrials
Industry
Medical - Devices
Industrial - Distribution
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
MedSurg and Neurotechnology
HVAC/R Distribution
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
9%-12% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
71 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand, Legal
Supply, Legal, Demand
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-05

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

No overlap yet.

Stryker Corporation strengths

Service Field NetworkBrand TrustCompliance AdvantageIP Choke PointTraining Org Change Costs

Watsco, Inc. strengths

Physical Network DensityContractual ExclusivityScale Economies Unit CostData Workflow Lockin

Segment mix

Stryker Corporation segments

Full profile >

MedSurg and Neurotechnology

Oligopoly

59.8%

Orthopaedics

Oligopoly

40.2%

Watsco, Inc. segments

Full profile >

HVAC/R Distribution

Competitive

100%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

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.