CSX vs. GD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CSX and GD, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CSX Corporation | General Dynamics Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 67.26 billion USD | 85.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 3, 1980 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CSX 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 | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.35% | 1.52% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.04% | 14.93% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.20% | 24.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 7.70% | 9.03% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.52% | 1.89% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.81% | 20.49% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 16.48M | 1.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 16.92M | 1.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.22% | 19.10% |
| Beta | 1.30 | 0.48 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CSX
24.83%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 22.11%
- Q3
- 13.84%
- Median
- 9.66%
- Q1
- 7.55%
- Min
- 0.36%
CSX’s Return on Equity of 24.83% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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)
CSX
21.91%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.20%
- Q3
- 18.59%
- Median
- 7.11%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -10.38%
A Net Profit Margin of 21.91% places CSX in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
CSX
33.80%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 41.31%
- Q3
- 23.16%
- Median
- 11.33%
- Q1
- 6.82%
- Min
- -12.08%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.80% places CSX in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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 | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.83% | 17.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.22% | 7.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.91% | 8.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.80% | 10.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.73% | 15.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CSX
0.77
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.03
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 0.89
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.38
CSX’s Current Ratio of 0.77 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
CSX
1.55
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.47
- Min
- 0.00
CSX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.55. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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)
CSX
7.10
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 51.07
- Q3
- 22.54
- Median
- 7.94
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -24.57
CSX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 1.36 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.63 | 0.83 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 0.37 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.10 | 15.01 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CSX
1.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.44%
- Q3
- 2.49%
- Median
- 1.53%
- Q1
- 0.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Yield of 1.42% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GD
1.84%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.84%, 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)
CSX
30.63%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 137.07%
- Q3
- 74.71%
- Median
- 41.16%
- Q1
- 15.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.63% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.42% | 1.84% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.63% | 38.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CSX
21.51
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.59
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 16.38
- Q1
- 12.79
- Min
- 4.37
CSX’s P/E Ratio of 21.51 is within the middle range for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GD
20.76
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 20.76 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CSX
4.71
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.02
- Q3
- 2.20
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.22
With a P/S Ratio of 4.71, CSX trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Ground Transportation industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
GD
1.69
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
GD’s P/S Ratio of 1.69 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)
CSX
4.95
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 4.95
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.64
CSX’s P/B Ratio of 4.95 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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 | CSX | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.51 | 20.76 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.71 | 1.69 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.95 | 3.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 24.77 | 19.22 |