Advantages of Moats
Moats can buffer the mistakes of management and save the business from complete disaster because the business was strong and robust (e.g. Microsoft and New Coke).
Local differences can create moats.
Foreign companies are not allowed to own banks thus allowing Canadian banks to be more profitable.
Minimum efficient scale is more common as big companies may not invest in small businesses thus giving complete ground to the small companies.
Cultural preferences matter a lot since the things famous in one country might not do well in another country (e.g. food products), thus allowing these businesses to build moats around them.
Moats matter a lot as it adds to the intrinsic value of the company.
A firm which can compound cash flow for many years has more worth than the firm which cannot.
Companies with no moats, capital comes down fast, as compared to the companies with greater moats.
The value of an economic moat is also largely dependent on reinvestment opportunities.
The ability to reinvest a lot of cash at high incremental ROIC would make it a very valuable moat.
If a firm has little ability to reinvest it would add a little to the intrinsic value of the moat.
Moats are not limited only to big companies.
Moats are beneficial in creating stability and building confidence.
Role of Management
Management plays an important role in moats.
Managerial skills are inversely proportional to the quality of business.
If the business is good, an average management would also do fine.
For bad business, a good manager is required.
Good managers look for ways to widen the companies moat.
Bad managers invest capital outside company's moat.
There are exceptions where a good manager can do good in bad businesses.
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