GD vs. HON: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GD	HON
Company Name	General Dynamics Corporation	Honeywell International Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Industrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization	85.40 billion USD	139.51 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GD and HON 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GD	HON
5-Day Price Return	1.52%	1.46%
13-Week Price Return	14.93%	0.18%
26-Week Price Return	24.25%	4.73%
52-Week Price Return	9.03%	11.66%
Month-to-Date Return	1.89%	-1.17%
Year-to-Date Return	20.49%	-2.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.03M	3.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.31M	3.93M
3-Month Volatility	19.10%	20.23%
Beta	0.48	1.07

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

HON

32.86%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s Return on Equity of 32.86% 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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

HON

14.30%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 14.30% places HON in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

HON

17.81%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 17.81% places HON in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GD	HON
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.99%	32.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.21%	7.56%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.13%	14.30%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.30%	17.81%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	15.40%	38.08%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

HON

1.29

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s Current Ratio of 1.29 aligns with the median group of the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

HON

2.27

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Industrial Conglomerates industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.27. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

HON

7.76

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GD	HON
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.36	1.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	0.97
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.37	2.27
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	15.01	7.76

Growth

Revenue Growth

GD vs. HON: 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

GD vs. HON: 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)

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.

HON

2.10%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s Dividend Yield of 2.10% is consistent with its peers in the Industrial Conglomerates industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

HON

51.34%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 51.34% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GD	HON
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.84%	2.10%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	38.28%	51.34%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

HON

24.40

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 24.40 places HON 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

HON

3.49

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

HON’s P/S Ratio of 3.49 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates 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 vs. HON: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

HON

9.30

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

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

At 9.30, HON’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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GD	HON
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.76	24.40
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.69	3.49
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.32	9.30
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.22	28.08