VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

Stock Comparison

Union Pacific Corporation vs Vulcan Materials Company

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

Union Pacific Corporation

UNP · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$137.8B
Gross margin (TTM)45.9%
Operating margin (TTM)40.6%
Net margin (TTM)28.7%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryRailroads
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
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 Union Pacific Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View UNP analysis

Vulcan Materials Company

VMC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$38.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorMaterials
IndustryConstruction Materials
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
Moat score
73/ 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 Vulcan Materials Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View VMC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Vulcan Materials Company leads (73 / 100 vs 72 / 100 for Union Pacific Corporation).
  • Segment focus: Union Pacific Corporation has 4 segments (34.8% in Industrial); Vulcan Materials Company has 3 segments (74.4% in Aggregates).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Union Pacific Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Vulcan Materials Company has 5 across 2.

Primary market context

Union Pacific Corporation

Industrial

Market

Rail freight transportation for industrial commodities (chemicals and plastics, metals and minerals, forest products, energy and specialized markets)

Geography

U.S. western two-thirds with interchange to other railroads; cross-border corridors to Mexico and Canada

Customer

Chemical producers, refiners, plastics manufacturers, construction and material suppliers, metals and mining, industrial shippers

Role

Class I rail carrier / linehaul freight transport

Revenue share

34.8%

Vulcan Materials Company

Aggregates

Market

Construction aggregates (crushed stone, sand & gravel)

Geography

United States (local/regional markets)

Customer

Construction contractors and public infrastructure agencies

Role

Upstream raw materials producer

Revenue share

74.4%

Side-by-side metrics

Union Pacific Corporation
Vulcan Materials Company
Ticker / Exchange
UNP - New York Stock Exchange
VMC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$137.8B
$38.3B
Gross margin (TTM)
45.9%
n/a
Operating margin (TTM)
40.6%
n/a
Net margin (TTM)
28.7%
n/a
Sector
Industrials
Materials
Industry
Railroads
Construction Materials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Industrial
Aggregates
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
8%-11% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
72 / 100
73 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Supply
Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-30
2026-01-01

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Permits Rights Of WayPhysical Network DensityScale Economies Unit Cost

Union Pacific Corporation strengths

Operational ExcellenceScope Economies

Vulcan Materials Company strengths

Geographic NaturalSupply Chain Control

Segment mix

Union Pacific Corporation segments

Full profile >

Bulk

Oligopoly

29.7%

Industrial

Oligopoly

34.8%

Premium

Oligopoly

29.5%

Other subsidiary, accessorial and other revenues

Competitive

5.9%

Vulcan Materials Company segments

Full profile >

Aggregates

Oligopoly

74.4%

Asphalt

Competitive

16.8%

Concrete

Competitive

8.8%

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.