General Dynamics (GD)
Market Price (12/20/2025): $340.43 | Market Cap: $91.7 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Aerospace & Defense
General Dynamics (GD)
Market Price (12/20/2025): $340.43Market Cap: $91.7 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Aerospace & Defense
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 6.3%, FCF Yield is 5.3% | Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -4.1%, Dist 3Y High is -4.1% | Key risksGD key risks include [1] margin pressures in its Marine segment from rising shipbuilding costs, Show more. |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 11%, CFO LTM is 5.7 Bil, FCF LTM is 4.8 Bil | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -4.9%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -26% | |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 21% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Advanced Aviation & Space, Cybersecurity, Automation & Robotics, Advanced Materials, Show more. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 6.3%, FCF Yield is 5.3% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 11%, CFO LTM is 5.7 Bil, FCF LTM is 4.8 Bil |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 21% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Advanced Aviation & Space, Cybersecurity, Automation & Robotics, Advanced Materials, Show more. |
| Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -4.1%, Dist 3Y High is -4.1% |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -4.9%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -26% |
| Key risksGD key risks include [1] margin pressures in its Marine segment from rising shipbuilding costs, Show more. |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
GD Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Here are key points highlighting potential reasons for a 5% movement in General Dynamics (GD) stock, based on recent available information up to early 2025:
1. Strong Financial Performance and Revenue Growth. General Dynamics reported robust financial results, including a 7.5% increase in revenue for Q4 2023, reaching $11.7 billion, and a 7.3% increase for the full year 2023 to $42.3 billion. Q1 2024 also saw continued growth, with revenue and net earnings increasing by 8.6% and 9.5% year-over-year, respectively. For the full year 2024, revenue climbed to $47.7 billion, a 12.88% increase from the previous year, with earnings rising by 14.09% to $3.78 billion. Such positive financial results often instill investor confidence and can lead to upward stock movement.
2. Record Backlog and Solid Order Activity. The company achieved its highest-ever year-end backlog in 2023, totaling $93.6 billion. This substantial backlog, coupled with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1-to-1 for 2023, indicates strong future revenue visibility. By the end of Q1 2024, the company-wide backlog further increased to $93.7 billion, and the total estimated contract value reached $144 billion by year-end 2024, suggesting a robust foundation for sustained growth.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| GD Return | -13% | 44% | 22% | 7% | 4% | 31% | 120% |
| Peers Return | -19% | 12% | 25% | 4% | -1% | 34% | 56% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| GD Win Rate | 42% | 58% | 58% | 58% | 67% | 67% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 48% | 53% | 60% | 45% | 48% | 57% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| GD Max Drawdown | -39% | -2% | -1% | -17% | -4% | -8% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -43% | -9% | -11% | -18% | -18% | -12% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: LMT, NOC, RTX, BA, HII. See GD Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/19/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | GD | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -20.2% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 25.3% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 196 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -43.7% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 77.7% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 402 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -35.5% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 55.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1,162 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -61.5% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 159.6% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1,753 days | 1,480 days |
Compare to RTX, LMT, NOC, TDG, LHX
In The Past
General Dynamics's stock fell -20.2% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/2/2022. A -20.2% loss requires a 25.3% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to GD. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 18.0% | 18.0% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.7% | 3.7% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 2.6% | 2.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 3.6% | 3.6% | -0.4% |
| 09302022 | GD | General Dynamics | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 8.7% | 6.6% | -2.1% |
| 09302020 | GD | General Dynamics | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 33.1% | 45.6% | -4.4% |
| 12312018 | GD | General Dynamics | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 17.5% | 14.8% | -2.4% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 18.0% | 18.0% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.7% | 3.7% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.8% | 6.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 2.6% | 2.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 3.6% | 3.6% | -0.4% |
| 09302022 | GD | General Dynamics | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 8.7% | 6.6% | -2.1% |
| 09302020 | GD | General Dynamics | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 33.1% | 45.6% | -4.4% |
| 12312018 | GD | General Dynamics | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 17.5% | 14.8% | -2.4% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for General Dynamics
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 338.00 |
| Mkt Cap | 100.7 |
| Rev LTM | 62,429 |
| Op Inc LTM | 4,712 |
| FCF LTM | 3,214 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 2,766 |
| CFO LTM | 4,578 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 4,071 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 5.8% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 7.3% |
| Rev Chg Q | 9.7% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 2.3% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 9.1% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 8.3% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 8.8% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 9.4% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 5.6% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 6.3% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 100.7 |
| P/S | 1.9 |
| P/EBIT | 17.5 |
| P/E | 23.5 |
| P/CFO | 16.6 |
| Total Yield | 5.4% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.3% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 4.0% |
| D/E | 0.2 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 3.4% |
| 3M Rtn | 3.1% |
| 6M Rtn | 19.0% |
| 12M Rtn | 28.4% |
| 3Y Rtn | 30.2% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 0.5% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 1.2% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 4.6% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | 14.2% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -41.6% |
Comparison Analyses
FDA Approved Drugs Data
Expand for More| Post-Approval Fwd Returns | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA App # | Brand Name | Generic Name | Dosage Form | FDA Approval | 3M Rtn | 6M Rtn | 1Y Rtn | 2Y Rtn | Total Rtn |
| NDA220634 | CARBON DIOXIDE, USP | carbon dioxide | gas | 6162025 | 17.7% | 23.1% | 22.7% | 22.7% | 22.7% |
| NDA216307 | HELIUM, USP | helium | gas | 7262021 | 9.0% | 9.2% | 16.0% | 21.5% | 93.8% |
| NDA209927 | MEDICAL AIR, USP | medical air | gas | 12252016 | 7.5% | 15.9% | 17.6% | -12.4% | 136.2% |
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technologies | 12,922 | 12,492 | 12,457 | 12,648 | 13,359 |
| Marine Systems | 12,461 | 11,040 | 10,526 | 9,979 | 9,183 |
| Aerospace | 8,621 | 8,567 | 8,135 | 8,075 | 9,801 |
| Combat Systems | 8,268 | 7,308 | 7,351 | 7,223 | 7,007 |
| Corporate | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 42,272 | 39,407 | 38,469 | 37,925 | 39,350 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technologies | 1,202 | 1,227 | 1,275 | 1,211 | 1,311 |
| Aerospace | 1,182 | 1,130 | 1,031 | 1,083 | 1,532 |
| Combat Systems | 1,147 | 1,075 | 1,067 | 1,041 | 996 |
| Marine Systems | 874 | 897 | 874 | 854 | 785 |
| Corporate | -160 | -118 | -84 | -56 | -54 |
| Total | 4,245 | 4,211 | 4,163 | 4,133 | 4,570 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technologies | 19,534 | 19,700 | 19,490 | 19,663 | 20,453 |
| Aerospace | 15,099 | 12,676 | 11,748 | 12,050 | 12,324 |
| Combat Systems | 10,479 | 11,032 | 11,657 | 12,034 | 11,220 |
| Marine Systems | 6,209 | 5,864 | 5,294 | 4,488 | 3,918 |
| Corporate | 3,489 | 2,313 | 1,884 | 3,073 | 1,434 |
| Total | 54,810 | 51,585 | 50,073 | 51,308 | 49,349 |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 10/24/2025 | 2.7% | 0.9% | -0.3% |
| 7/23/2025 | 6.5% | 5.7% | 6.7% |
| 4/23/2025 | -3.3% | -1.0% | 1.1% |
| 1/29/2025 | -4.2% | -2.0% | -4.2% |
| 10/23/2024 | -0.5% | -1.4% | -8.5% |
| 7/24/2024 | -3.3% | -0.5% | -0.1% |
| 4/24/2024 | -4.0% | -1.9% | 1.8% |
| 1/24/2024 | 4.7% | 7.7% | 9.2% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 12 | 11 | 15 |
| # Negative | 12 | 13 | 9 |
| Median Positive | 1.4% | 3.4% | 6.1% |
| Median Negative | -2.6% | -1.4% | -4.2% |
| Max Positive | 6.5% | 7.7% | 12.7% |
| Max Negative | -4.2% | -7.4% | -9.5% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10242025 | 10-Q 9/28/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7232025 | 10-Q 6/29/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4232025 | 10-Q 3/30/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2072025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10232024 | 10-Q 9/29/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7242024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 4242024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2082024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 10252023 | 10-Q 10/1/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7262023 | 10-Q 7/2/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4262023 | 10-Q 4/2/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2072023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10262022 | 10-Q 10/2/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7272022 | 10-Q 7/3/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4272022 | 10-Q 4/3/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2092022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Rayha Mark | Vice President | 11242025 | Sell | 339.90 | 100 | 33,990 | 1,980,257 | Form |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |