General Dynamics Corporation
General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraf…
What to know about GD
General Dynamics Corporation is a large Industrials company with a mixed financial profile. It scores well on risk and size, but profitability is worth keeping an eye on.
Should you consider GD?
Based on 31 financial metrics and sector comparison. Not financial advice.
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General Dynamics Corporation is a large-cap Industrials company with a mixed overall financial profile — it sits in the upper half of Industrials stocks (33 of 75).
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Profit margins are thin compared to most S&P 500 peers — the company keeps less of each dollar it earns than the average. Watch for signs of margin improvement.
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Valuation is in the middle of the pack — neither obviously cheap nor stretched.
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The company is growing at a reasonable pace — not the fastest, but consistently moving in the right direction.
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There is a small dividend (0.02%), but income-focused investors will likely find better yields elsewhere in the market.
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Risk is relatively low — the stock tends to be less volatile than the broader market, which typically means a smoother ride during uncertain periods.
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This is a mixed picture — real strengths in some areas, but areas that need watching too. Do your homework on the sector before deciding.
At a glance
How it scores
We look at 31 different financial metrics and group them into categories. Here's how GD compares to the other S&P 500 stocks.
Dive deeper — all 31 metrics 9 categories · valuation, growth, health, dividends & more Show all Hide
Valuation
Is the stock cheap or expensive relative to its earnings, sales, and assets? Lower multiples often mean better value.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (Trailing) | 21.75 | Above avg |
| Forward P/E | 19.28 | Average |
| PEG Ratio | 2.71 | Below avg |
| Price to Sales | 1.76 | Above avg |
| Price to Book | 3.62 | Average |
| EV/EBITDA | 16.11 | Average |
| Earnings Yield | 4.60% | Above avg |
Profitability
How efficiently does the company turn revenue into profit? Higher margins mean more money kept from each dollar earned.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 15.24% | Below avg |
| Operating Margin | 10.54% | Below avg |
| Net Profit Margin | 8.07% | Average |
| Return on Equity | 17.97% | Above avg |
| Return on Invested Capital | 6.00% | Above avg |
Growth
How fast is the business expanding? Strong growth in revenue and earnings signals increasing market demand.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.30% | Above avg |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 10.07% | Top 25% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 12.00% | Average |
| Free Cash Flow Growth | 23.87% | Above avg |
Health
Can the company cover its debts and obligations? A healthy balance sheet reduces the risk of financial trouble.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.38 | Above avg |
| Debt to Equity | 0.38 | Top 25% |
| Interest Coverage | 13.69 | Above avg |
| Altman Z-Score | 4.27 | Above avg |
Dividends
Does the company pay shareholders, and is that payment growing and sustainable?
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | Average |
| Payout Ratio | 38.33% | Average |
| Dividend Growth (5Y) | -7.93% | Average |
Cash Flow
Is real cash flowing into the business — not just accounting profits? Strong cash flow funds growth and dividends.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 6.55% | Above avg |
| OCF to Sales | 13.80% | Average |
Risk
How volatile is the stock compared to the broader market? Lower beta and volatility mean a smoother ride.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (1-Year) | 0.34 | Top 25% |
| Volatility (30-Day) | 25.83% | Above avg |
Sentiment
What do analysts and short-sellers think? High analyst ratings and low short interest signal broad confidence.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Short % of Float | 1.08% | Top 25% |
| Avg. Analyst Rating | 2.13 | Average |
| Target Upside % | 12.33% | Average |
Size
How large is the company by market value? Size affects stability, growth potential, and index inclusion.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | 94.65B | Top 25% |
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