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

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GD	LUV
Company Name	General Dynamics Corporation	Southwest Airlines Co.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Passenger Airlines
Market Capitalization	85.40 billion USD	16.27 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	January 2, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GD and LUV 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. LUV: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GD	LUV
5-Day Price Return	1.52%	4.77%
13-Week Price Return	14.93%	-0.96%
26-Week Price Return	24.25%	-0.39%
52-Week Price Return	9.03%	22.03%
Month-to-Date Return	1.89%	0.13%
Year-to-Date Return	20.49%	-7.88%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.03M	9.27M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.31M	12.50M
3-Month Volatility	19.10%	40.35%
Beta	0.48	1.23

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.

LUV

4.11%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 49.96%
Q3: 28.15%
Median: 15.41%
Q1: 8.29%
Min: -11.01%

LUV’s Return on Equity of 4.11% is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

1.43%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 17.65%
Q3: 8.90%
Median: 5.80%
Q1: 2.02%
Min: -3.12%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, LUV’s Net Profit Margin of 1.43% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

1.15%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.47%
Q3: 12.33%
Median: 8.62%
Q1: 4.43%
Min: -2.88%

LUV’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.15% is in the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GD	LUV
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.99%	4.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.21%	1.20%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.13%	1.43%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.30%	1.15%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	15.40%	73.31%

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.

LUV

0.56

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.76
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.17

LUV’s Current Ratio of 0.56 aligns with the median group of the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

0.51

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 9.80
Q3: 4.82
Median: 1.30
Q1: 0.89
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, LUV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

9.27

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.60
Q3: 16.29
Median: 6.75
Q1: 1.94
Min: -8.55

LUV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.27 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GD	LUV
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.36	0.56
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	0.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.37	0.51
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	15.01	9.27

Growth

Revenue Growth

GD vs. LUV: 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. LUV: 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.

LUV

2.65%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 6.71%
Q3: 3.95%
Median: 1.10%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LUV’s Dividend Yield of 2.65% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

59.15%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 71.59%
Q3: 38.54%
Median: 8.16%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LUV’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.15% is in the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GD	LUV
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.84%	2.65%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	38.28%	59.15%

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.

LUV

41.16

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 13.29
Q3: 11.94
Median: 8.78
Q1: 7.42
Min: 3.07

At 41.16, LUV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Passenger Airlines 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 vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

0.59

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.74
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.09

LUV’s P/S Ratio of 0.59 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

GD vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines 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.

LUV

2.31

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.84
Q1: 1.22
Min: 0.56

LUV’s P/B Ratio of 2.31 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines 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 vs. LUV: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Passenger Airlines industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GD	LUV
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.76	41.16
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.69	0.59
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.32	2.31
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.22	43.02