The Allure of an Economic Moat
Warren Buffett, a man who knows a thing or two about making money, calls this sort of advantage an “economic moat”. It’s a wonderfully medieval image, isn’t it? A deep, wide ditch protecting a castle full of profits from marauding competitors. These moats are not all dug the same way. Some, like Google, are built on network effects. Others, like Coca-Cola, are built on a century of brand-building, ensuring you ask for a Coke, not just any cola.
The result of having such a moat is something beautiful in its simplicity: pricing power. When you are the only game in town, you have a much greater say in what you charge. This translates into predictable, robust cash flows, the lifeblood of any solid, long-term investment. It’s the ability to weather economic storms because, come rain or shine, people still need what you’re selling.