AOS vs KLAR Comparison

A.O. Smith manufactures a broad lineup of water heaters, boilers, and water treatment products. The company has two reporting segments: North America (75% of sales) and rest of world (25% of sales). A.O. Smith is the leading manufacturer of water heaters in North America for the residential and commercial markets, with approximately 37% and 54% market share, respectively. Residential water heaters account for most of North American sales and are distributed equally through wholesale and retail channels. Most of A.O. Smith's international revenue is from China, a market the company entered during the mid-1990s. However, the firm announced a strategic review of its China operations.

Klarna is the largest pure-play in the buy now, pay later space. The company operates a two-sided network with a payment method at its core, but it is ultimately a lender. Merchants sign up with Klarna to increase turnover in their stores. Primarily, Klarna can provide merchants with higher conversion rates and average order values relative to other payment methods. Some merchants enter a symbiotic relationship with Klarna, advertising its brand on the product page to drive conversion and to benefit from Klarna's brand value in the merchant's sales funnel. Customers use Klarna for its ease of use, quick access to credit, zero-interest financing, and lower reminder fees.