AVAV vs. GD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and GD, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | General Dynamics Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 12.43 billion USD | 87.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 23, 2007 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV 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 | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.08% | 1.46% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 39.92% | 17.94% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 59.11% | 29.87% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.50% | 9.42% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -9.82% | 4.16% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 56.83% | 23.18% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.67M | 0.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.13M | 1.14M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 69.02% | 16.94% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.49 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVAV
5.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
GD
17.99%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- 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)
AVAV
5.32%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.32% 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.
GD
8.13%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.13% places GD in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
4.97%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.97% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
GD
10.30%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
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 | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.06% | 17.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.17% | 7.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.32% | 8.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.97% | 10.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.83% | 15.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
3.52
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
GD
1.36
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
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)
AVAV
0.03
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
GD
0.37
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
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)
AVAV
20.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
GD
15.01
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- 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 | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.52 | 1.36 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.52 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.03 | 0.37 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.72 | 15.01 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
GD
1.83%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.83%, 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)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
GD
38.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- 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 | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.83% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 38.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
263.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
At 263.65, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
GD
20.88
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, GD’s P/E Ratio of 20.88 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
14.01
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
With a P/S Ratio of 14.01, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
GD
1.70
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
GD’s P/S Ratio of 1.70 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)
AVAV
4.82
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 4.82 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.
GD
3.32
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
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 | AVAV | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 263.65 | 20.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 14.01 | 1.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.82 | 3.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 160.44 | 19.34 |