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

Updated on August 21, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GD	ULS
Company Name	General Dynamics Corporation	UL Solutions Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Professional Services
Market Capitalization	85.40 billion USD	14.13 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	April 12, 2024
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ULS
5-Day Price Return	1.52%	6.64%
13-Week Price Return	14.93%	0.00%
26-Week Price Return	24.25%	29.30%
52-Week Price Return	9.03%	40.59%
Month-to-Date Return	1.89%	-3.79%
Year-to-Date Return	20.49%	41.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.03M	1.48M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.31M	0.96M
3-Month Volatility	19.10%	33.65%
Beta	0.48	0.55

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.

ULS

38.35%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 52.17%
Q3: 30.06%
Median: 22.21%
Q1: 11.67%
Min: -13.44%

In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 38.35% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

11.60%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 26.06%
Q3: 13.34%
Median: 7.88%
Q1: 3.50%
Min: -2.93%

ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.60% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

16.52%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 35.84%
Q3: 19.38%
Median: 12.54%
Q1: 7.36%
Min: -5.21%

ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.52% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ULS
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.99%	38.35%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.21%	11.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	8.13%	11.60%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.30%	16.52%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	15.40%	48.71%

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.

ULS

1.24

Professional Services Industry

Max: 2.45
Q3: 1.65
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.10
Min: 0.47

ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.24 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

0.67

Professional Services Industry

Max: 2.63
Q3: 1.44
Median: 0.91
Q1: 0.49
Min: 0.00

ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

11.92

Professional Services Industry

Max: 39.67
Q3: 20.05
Median: 11.07
Q1: 5.36
Min: -2.22

ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ULS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.36	1.24
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	1.24
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.37	0.67
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	15.01	11.92

Growth

Revenue Growth

GD vs. ULS: 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. ULS: 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.

ULS

0.71%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 5.28%
Q3: 2.51%
Median: 1.63%
Q1: 0.62%
Min: 0.00%

ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

29.97%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 109.23%
Q3: 64.39%
Median: 47.00%
Q1: 20.35%
Min: 0.00%

ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.97% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ULS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.84%	0.71%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	38.28%	29.97%

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.

ULS

41.94

Professional Services Industry

Max: 49.59
Q3: 36.59
Median: 28.13
Q1: 18.55
Min: 10.07

A P/E Ratio of 41.94 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

4.86

Professional Services Industry

Max: 9.54
Q3: 5.11
Median: 2.10
Q1: 0.75
Min: 0.11

ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.86 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

GD vs. ULS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services 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.

ULS

11.64

Professional Services Industry

Max: 13.75
Q3: 8.87
Median: 4.35
Q1: 2.43
Min: 0.54

ULS’s P/B Ratio of 11.64 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services 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 vs. ULS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GD	ULS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.76	41.94
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.69	4.86
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.32	11.64
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.22	46.18