Competitive analysis

Competitive Analysis Framework

Overview

This skill provides a systematic 11-section framework for analyzing company competitiveness, producing institutional-quality investment research. The framework incorporates geopolitical supply chain resilience as a distinct competitive dimension, reflecting the 2026 environment where domestic/friend-shored supply chains represent meaningful competitive advantages. The output consists of a one-page visual infographic summary followed by detailed analytical sections.

Workflow

Step 1: Information Gathering

Collect necessary information about the company and industry:

• Company name, ticker symbol, and business description
• Recent financial filings (10-K, 10-Q, investor presentations)
• Industry reports and competitive landscape data
• Customer/supplier relationships and dependencies
• Management commentary and strategic initiatives

If the user provides specific documents or filings, prioritize those. Otherwise, use web_search to gather current information.

Step 2: Create the One-Page Infographic Summary

CRITICAL: Create the infographic FIRST before the detailed analysis sections.

The infographic provides a visual at-a-glance summary of all 11 competitive dimensions using a PowerPoint slide. Create using the pptx skill with this structure:

Layout:

• Header: Company name, ticker, date, "Competitive Position Analysis"
• Central visual: Competitive strength radar chart or scorecard showing ratings (1-10) for each of the 11 dimensions
• Key metrics panel: 4-5 most critical metrics (market share, ROIC, moat rating, supply chain resilience score, competitive score)
• Color coding: Green (strong), yellow (neutral), red (weak)
• Bottom summary: Overall competitiveness score (1-10) and one-sentence investment implication

Visual elements to include:

• Radar/spider chart showing 11-dimension scores
• Small icon or indicator for moat rating (None/Narrow/Wide)
• Traffic light indicators for key risk areas
• Supply chain geographic exposure mini-map or flag indicators
• Mini chart showing market share trend or margin trajectory
• Compact competitive positioning matrix (if applicable)

Design principles:

• Professional, clean layout suitable for investment presentations
• High information density but uncluttered
• Instantly communicates competitive strength/weakness
• Use institutional color scheme (blues, grays, accent colors)

After creating the infographic, present it to the user FIRST, then proceed with detailed sections.

Step 3: Conduct 11-Section Competitive Analysis

Perform comprehensive analysis across all 11 dimensions. For each section, provide:

• Current assessment with quantitative metrics where available
• Trend analysis (improving/stable/deteriorating)
• Peer benchmarking
• Key strengths and vulnerabilities
• Investment implications

The 11 sections are detailed in the references file. Load references/analysis_framework.md for complete methodology.

Step 4: Generate Executive Summary & Investment Implications

After completing all sections, synthesize findings into:

• Competitiveness Score: 1-10 overall rating with justification
• Moat Rating: None/Narrow/Wide with durability assessment (5/10/15+ years)
• Top 3 Competitive Advantages: Ranked by strength and sustainability
• Top 3 Vulnerabilities: Ranked by severity and probability
• Investment Implications:
  • Valuation multiple support (justify premium/discount)
  • Growth sustainability assessment
  • Downside risk scenarios
  • Recommended action (buy/hold/sell with price target context)

Step 5: Format & Present Output

Output structure:

1. Page 1: One-page infographic summary (PowerPoint slide)
2. Pages 2+: Detailed analysis document (Word document or markdown)
   • Executive Summary (1 page)
   • Section 1: Market Structure & Positioning
   • Section 2: Competitive Moat Assessment
   • Section 3: Porter's Five Forces
   • Section 4: Value Chain & Cost Position
   • Section 5: Strategic Positioning
   • Section 6: Innovation & Adaptability
   • Section 7: Operational Competitiveness
   • Section 8: Financial Competitiveness
   • Section 9: Vulnerability Analysis
   • Section 10: Forward-Looking Indicators
   • Section 11: Geopolitical Supply Chain Resilience
   • Appendices (data tables, peer comparisons, geographic exposure maps)

Use professional formatting consistent with investment research reports.

Key Analysis Principles

Objectivity: Present balanced view with both strengths and weaknesses. Avoid confirmation bias.

Quantification: Use specific metrics and peer benchmarks wherever possible. Avoid vague qualitative statements.

Forward-looking: Focus on sustainability and trajectory, not just current state. Consider disruption risks.

Investment lens: Always tie competitive analysis to investment implications (valuation, growth, risk).

Evidence-based: Ground assessments in concrete data points from filings, industry reports, and observable metrics.

Geopolitical awareness: In sustained high-geopolitical-risk environments (2026+), treat supply chain geographic positioning as a first-order competitive factor. Domestic/friend-shored supply chains may justify valuation premiums; concentrated exposure to high-risk geographies should be treated as material risk.

Common Triggers

Use this skill when users ask to:

• "Analyze [Company]'s competitive position"
• "Assess [Company]'s competitive advantages"
• "What is [Company]'s moat?"
• "Compare [Company A] vs [Company B] competitively"
• "Evaluate [Industry] competitive dynamics"
• "Is [Company]'s competitive position sustainable?"
• "Build investment thesis based on competitive strength"
• "Assess [Company]'s supply chain resilience"
• "Evaluate geopolitical risk exposure for [Company]"
• "Does [Company] have a friend-shoring/nearshoring advantage?"
• "How exposed is [Company] to China/Taiwan supply chain risk?"
• "Is domestic supply chain a competitive advantage for [Company]?"
• "Compare supply chain security of [Company A] vs [Company B]"
• "What is [Company]'s reshoring strategy?"

References

Detailed analytical methodologies for each of the 11 sections are available in:

• references/analysis_framework.md - Complete framework with metrics, questions, peer benchmarking guidance, and geopolitical supply chain resilience assessment methodology