GD vs. NOC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GD and NOC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | General Dynamics Corporation | Northrop Grumman Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 92.43 billion USD | 87.28 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | December 31, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GD and NOC 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 | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.45% | 2.62% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.58% | 20.89% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 26.06% | 19.05% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.06% | 13.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.77% | 0.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 30.41% | 29.89% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 0.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.12M | 0.77M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.77% | 22.26% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.05 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GD
17.99%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- 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.
NOC
26.09%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, NOC’s Return on Equity of 26.09% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GD
8.13%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
GD’s Net Profit Margin of 8.13% 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.
NOC
9.74%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.74% places NOC 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)
GD
10.30%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
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.
NOC
10.39%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
NOC’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.39% 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 | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.99% | 26.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.21% | 8.07% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.13% | 9.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.30% | 10.39% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.40% | 19.33% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GD
1.36
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
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.
NOC
1.04
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
NOC’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GD
0.37
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
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.
NOC
1.02
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
NOC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.02. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
GD
15.01
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- 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.
NOC
9.08
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
NOC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.08 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 | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 1.04 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.37 | 1.02 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.01 | 9.08 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GD
1.70%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.70%, GD offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
NOC
1.41%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOC’s Dividend Yield of 1.41% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GD
38.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- 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.
NOC
31.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
NOC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.28% 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 | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.70% | 1.41% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 38.28% | 31.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GD
22.52
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, GD’s P/E Ratio of 22.52 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
NOC
22.12
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, NOC’s P/E Ratio of 22.12 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GD
1.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
GD’s P/S Ratio of 1.83 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.
NOC
2.15
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
NOC’s P/S Ratio of 2.15 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)
GD
3.32
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
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.
NOC
4.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
NOC’s P/B Ratio of 4.65 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 | GD | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 22.52 | 22.12 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.83 | 2.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.32 | 4.65 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.85 | 27.89 |