Cost Leadership Provides Market Control
16 May 2019
Share with a Friend
All fields required where indicated (*)The term “economic moat” describes a company’s ability to maintain its competitive advantages and defend its long-term profitability. This moat investing education series explores the five primary sources of moat, according to Morningstar: 1) Switching Costs; 2) Intangible Assets; 3) Network Effect; 4) Cost Advantage; 5) Efficient Scale. Here we explore the concept of:
-
Cost Advantage: Firms with a structural cost advantage can either undercut competitors on price while earning similar margins, or can charge market-level prices while earning relatively high margins.
Cost Leadership Provides Market Control
Companies that are able to produce and offer products or services at lower costs than competitors are often able to achieve higher profit margins. Within many industries, cost leaders often exert significant control over market prices, which may give them an advantage over competitors. The cost advantage moat source is the second most frequent source of economic moat ratings, according to Morningstar.
Cost advantages are often gained through economies of scale, lower distribution and manufacturing costs, and/or access to a low-cost resource base. The increasing level of competition in today’s global economy makes this competitive advantage one of the most difficult for companies to maintain. For example, over the past 30 years, the U.S. manufacturing and consumer goods industries have been flattened by punishing price competition from overseas.
Cost Advantage in Action
Walmart Inc is the largest retailer in the world. According to Morningstar, Walmart’s vast size gives it “significant bargaining power as it procures merchandise from suppliers and vendors; as a result, it can offer its customers lower prices than many of its competitors.” And, “with economies of scale and a vast distribution network, which contribute to its cost advantage, we think Walmart is positioned for additional volume gains that reinforce its ‘productivity loop,’ ultimately driving per-unit costs lower.”
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is the largest brewer in the world. The company’s size provides it with huge bargaining power as well as a lower average cost of production. Morningstar states: “Vast global scale and near-monopoly dominance in several Latin American and African markets give AB InBev significant fixed cost leverage and pricing power in procurement.”
Company-specific information based on Morningstar analyst notes last updated as follows: Walmart Inc.: 19/12/2018; Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV: 25/10/2018.
Important Disclosure
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the KID before making any final investment decisions.
This information originates from VanEck (Europe) GmbH, which has been appointed as distributor of VanEck products in Europe by the Management Company VanEck Asset Management B.V., incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). VanEck (Europe) GmbH with registered address at Kreuznacher Str. 30, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany, is a financial services provider regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany (BaFin).
The information is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice VanEck (Europe) GmbH, VanEck Switzerland AG, VanEck Securities UK Limited and their associated and affiliated companies (together “VanEck”) assume no liability with regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this information. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Opinions are current as of the publication date and are subject to change with market conditions. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Brokerage or transaction fees may apply.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Morningstar US Sustainable Wide Moat UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets. Investors must read the sales prospectus and key investor information before investing in a fund. These are available in English and the KIIDs/KIDs in certain other languages as applicable and can be obtained free of charge at www.vaneck.com, from the Management Company or from the following local information agents:
UK - Facilities Agent: Computershare Investor Services PLC
Austria - Facility Agent: Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG
Germany - Facility Agent: VanEck (Europe) GmbH
Spain - Facility Agent: VanEck (Europe) GmbH
Sweden - Paying Agent: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
France - Facility Agent: VanEck (Europe) GmbH
Portugal - Paying Agent: BEST – Banco Eletrónico de Serviço Total, S.A.
Luxembourg - Facility Agent: VanEck (Europe) GmbH
Morningstar® US Sustainability Moat Focus Index is a trade mark of Morningstar Inc. and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by VanEck. VanEck Morningstar US Sustainable Wide Moat UCITS ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability in VanEck Morningstar US Sustainable Wide Moat UCITS ETF.
Effective December 17, 2021 the Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexTM has been replaced with the Morningstar® US Sustainability Moat Focus Index.
Effective June 20, 2016, Morningstar implemented several changes to the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index construction rules. Among other changes, the index increased its constituent count from 20 stocks to at least 40 stocks and modified its rebalance and reconstitution methodology. These changes may result in more diversified exposure, lower turnover and longer holding periods for index constituents than under the rules in effect prior to this date.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
All performance information is based on historical data and does not predict future returns. Investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck.
© VanEck (Europe) GmbH / VanEck Asset Management B.V.
Sign-up for our ETF newsletter
Related Insights
Related Insights
09 August 2024
06 August 2024
16 July 2024
08 July 2024