GD vs. UPS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GD and UPS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GD | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | General Dynamics Corporation | United Parcel Service, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 85.40 billion USD | 74.74 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | November 10, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GD and UPS 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 | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.52% | 1.95% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.93% | -12.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 24.25% | -22.29% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.03% | -29.38% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.89% | 2.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 20.49% | -30.07% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.03M | 9.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.31M | 6.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.10% | 32.79% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 1.10 |
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.
UPS
35.27%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.47%
- Median
- 11.35%
- Q1
- 7.21%
- Min
- 2.53%
In the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s Return on Equity of 35.27% 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
- 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.
UPS
6.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 6.18%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.32%
- Min
- 0.61%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.34% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
- 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.
UPS
9.30%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 17.40%
- Q3
- 8.87%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.03%
- Min
- 0.62%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GD | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.99% | 35.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.21% | 8.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.13% | 6.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.30% | 9.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.40% | 81.60% |
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.
UPS
1.32
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.83
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.62
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
UPS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.57. 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
- 19.90
- 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.
UPS
9.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.56
- Q1
- 5.97
- Min
- -0.60
UPS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GD | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 1.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 1.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.37 | 1.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.01 | 9.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
UPS
7.27%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.43%
- Q3
- 3.10%
- Median
- 2.40%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Yield of 7.27% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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.
UPS
94.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 54.10%
- Q1
- 0.19%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.15% is in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GD | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.84% | 7.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 38.28% | 94.15% |
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.
UPS
12.95
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 34.55
- Q3
- 23.34
- Median
- 16.33
- Q1
- 13.38
- Min
- 6.36
In the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s P/E Ratio of 12.95 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GD
1.69
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.
UPS
0.82
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.18
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the market consensus for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
- 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.
UPS
5.43
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.81
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.74
At 5.43, UPS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Air Freight & Logistics 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GD | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.76 | 12.95 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.69 | 0.82 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.32 | 5.43 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.22 | 13.81 |