AVAV vs. GE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AVAV and GE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AVAV	GE
Company Name	AeroVironment, Inc.	GE Aerospace
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Industrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization	12.04 billion USD	282.72 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 GE 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.

AVAV vs. GE: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	GE
5-Day Price Return	2.54%	0.26%
13-Week Price Return	43.85%	15.78%
26-Week Price Return	51.82%	26.66%
52-Week Price Return	31.05%	57.13%
Month-to-Date Return	-9.90%	-1.65%
Year-to-Date Return	56.70%	59.85%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.75M	4.36M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.12M	6.05M
3-Month Volatility	69.31%	23.57%
Beta	0.97	1.53

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.

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	GE
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.06%	40.51%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.17%	6.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.32%	18.64%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.97%	15.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.83%	35.97%

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.

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	GE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.52	1.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.52	0.73
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.03	0.99
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	20.72	5.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

AVAV vs. GE: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AVAV vs. GE: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

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.

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	GE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.46%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	16.78%

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.

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

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.

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

AVAV vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	GE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	263.65	36.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	14.01	6.78
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.82	14.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	160.44	51.39