AER vs. GD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AER and GD, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AerCap Holdings N.V. | General Dynamics Corporation |
| Country | Ireland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 21.73 billion USD | 93.19 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 21, 2006 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AER and GD by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.92% | 1.58% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.83% | 15.50% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 23.51% | 28.49% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 29.00% | 16.53% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.69% | 1.60% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.31% | 31.48% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.26M | 1.06M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.40M | 1.11M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.28% | 16.98% |
| Beta | 1.14 | 0.41 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AER
17.07%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
AER’s Return on Equity of 17.07% is on par with the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GD
17.99%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
GD’s Return on Equity of 17.99% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AER
39.91%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
AER’s Net Profit Margin of 39.91% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
GD
8.13%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
GD’s Net Profit Margin of 8.13% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AER
63.19%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
AER’s Operating Profit Margin of 63.19% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
GD
10.30%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
GD’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.30% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.07% | 17.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.05% | 7.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.91% | 8.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 63.19% | 10.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 91.01% | 15.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AER
1.50
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
AER’s Current Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
GD
1.36
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
GD’s Current Ratio of 1.36 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AER
2.57
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.57, AER operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Trading Companies & Distributors industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
GD
0.37
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, GD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.37 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AER
2.14
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -1.67
AER’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.14 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
GD
15.01
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
GD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.50 | 1.36 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.62 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.57 | 0.37 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.14 | 15.01 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AER
0.89%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
AER’s Dividend Yield of 0.89% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
GD
1.69%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.69%, GD offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AER
6.56%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
AER’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.56% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
GD
38.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
GD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 38.28% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.89% | 1.69% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 6.56% | 38.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AER
7.41
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
In the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, AER’s P/E Ratio of 7.41 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
GD
22.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, GD’s P/E Ratio of 22.65 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AER
2.96
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
AER’s P/S Ratio of 2.96 is in the upper echelon for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
GD
1.84
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
GD’s P/S Ratio of 1.84 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AER
1.18
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
AER’s P/B Ratio of 1.18 is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
GD
3.32
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
GD’s P/B Ratio of 3.32 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AER | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 7.41 | 22.65 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.96 | 1.84 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.18 | 3.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.35 | 20.98 |