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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GD	ODFL
Company Name	General Dynamics Corporation	Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	85.40 billion USD	32.25 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	October 24, 1991
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ODFL
5-Day Price Return	1.52%	5.59%
13-Week Price Return	14.93%	-12.84%
26-Week Price Return	24.25%	-21.66%
52-Week Price Return	9.03%	-19.49%
Month-to-Date Return	1.89%	2.82%
Year-to-Date Return	20.49%	-13.00%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.03M	2.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.31M	1.91M
3-Month Volatility	19.10%	41.51%
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.

ODFL

25.94%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 22.11%
Q3: 13.84%
Median: 9.66%
Q1: 7.55%
Min: 0.36%

ODFL’s Return on Equity of 25.94% 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 vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

19.42%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.20%
Q3: 18.59%
Median: 7.11%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -10.38%

A Net Profit Margin of 19.42% places ODFL in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

25.39%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 41.31%
Q3: 23.16%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 6.82%
Min: -12.08%

An Operating Profit Margin of 25.39% places ODFL 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 vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ODFL
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.99%	25.94%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.21%	19.95%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.13%	19.42%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.30%	25.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	15.40%	89.46%

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.

ODFL

1.38

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.03
Q3: 1.26
Median: 0.89
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.38

ODFL’s Current Ratio of 1.38 is in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

0.04

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.47
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, ODFL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

1,476.48

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 51.07
Q3: 22.54
Median: 7.94
Q1: 2.72
Min: -24.57

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 1,476.48, ODFL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ODFL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.36	1.38
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	1.20
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.37	0.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	15.01	1,476.48

Growth

Revenue Growth

GD vs. ODFL: 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. ODFL: 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.

ODFL

0.72%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.44%
Q3: 2.49%
Median: 1.53%
Q1: 0.39%
Min: 0.00%

ODFL’s Dividend Yield of 0.72% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

20.96%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 137.07%
Q3: 74.71%
Median: 41.16%
Q1: 15.12%
Min: 0.00%

ODFL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.96% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ODFL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.84%	0.72%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	38.28%	20.96%

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.

ODFL

29.08

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.59
Q3: 24.86
Median: 16.38
Q1: 12.79
Min: 4.37

A P/E Ratio of 29.08 places ODFL in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

GD vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

5.65

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.02
Q3: 2.20
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.22

With a P/S Ratio of 5.65, ODFL 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 vs. ODFL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

ODFL

8.11

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.95
Q3: 2.78
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.64

At 8.11, ODFL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Ground Transportation 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. ODFL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ODFL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.76	29.08
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.69	5.65
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.32	8.11
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.22	40.78