GM vs. RL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GM	RL
Company Name	General Motors Company	Ralph Lauren Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Automobiles	Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
Market Capitalization	54.05 billion USD	17.34 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 18, 2010	June 12, 1997
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GM and RL 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.

GM vs. RL: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GM	RL
5-Day Price Return	0.62%	-1.44%
13-Week Price Return	13.47%	3.08%
26-Week Price Return	18.54%	2.76%
52-Week Price Return	24.06%	71.38%
Month-to-Date Return	6.43%	-4.19%
Year-to-Date Return	6.57%	23.92%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.28M	0.84M
3-Month Avg. Volume	9.85M	0.75M
3-Month Volatility	33.97%	28.75%
Beta	1.36	1.65

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GM

7.21%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

GM’s Return on Equity of 7.21% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

RL

29.90%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 53.33%
Q3: 26.13%
Median: 18.47%
Q1: 7.99%
Min: -10.49%

In the upper quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, RL’s Return on Equity of 29.90% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

2.54%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

GM’s Net Profit Margin of 2.54% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

RL

10.49%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 23.35%
Q3: 13.49%
Median: 8.45%
Q1: 4.18%
Min: -3.90%

RL’s Net Profit Margin of 10.49% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

3.42%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

GM’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.42% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RL

13.17%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 29.47%
Q3: 20.87%
Median: 13.00%
Q1: 7.02%
Min: -3.59%

RL’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.17% is around the midpoint for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GM	RL
Return on Equity (TTM)	7.21%	29.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.67%	10.78%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.54%	10.49%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	3.42%	13.17%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	10.97%	68.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GM

1.22

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

GM’s Current Ratio of 1.22 aligns with the median group of the Automobiles industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

RL

1.78

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 3.91
Q3: 2.49
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.43
Min: 0.80

RL’s Current Ratio of 1.78 aligns with the median group of the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GM

2.05

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

GM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Automobiles industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.05. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

RL

0.54

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 2.67
Q3: 1.29
Median: 0.59
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

RL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GM

25.00

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
Min: -49.07

GM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.00 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RL

85.38

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 57.00
Q3: 35.85
Median: 9.20
Q1: 4.29
Min: -32.49

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 85.38, RL demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GM	RL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.22	1.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.05	1.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.05	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	25.00	85.38

Growth

Revenue Growth

GM vs. RL: 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

GM vs. RL: 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)

GM

1.17%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Yield of 1.17% is consistent with its peers in the Automobiles industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

RL

1.16%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 6.59%
Q3: 3.60%
Median: 2.59%
Q1: 0.95%
Min: 0.00%

RL’s Dividend Yield of 1.16% is consistent with its peers in the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GM

6.61%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.61% is in the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

RL

27.07%

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 195.44%
Q3: 106.47%
Median: 58.77%
Q1: 36.52%
Min: 0.00%

RL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.07% is in the lower quartile for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GM	RL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.17%	1.16%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	6.61%	27.07%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GM

11.38

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

GM’s P/E Ratio of 11.38 is within the middle range for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

RL

23.39

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 63.29
Q3: 34.64
Median: 18.01
Q1: 13.88
Min: 6.04

RL’s P/E Ratio of 23.39 is within the middle range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GM

0.29

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

GM’s P/S Ratio of 0.29 aligns with the market consensus for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

RL

2.45

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 5.46
Q3: 3.13
Median: 1.72
Q1: 0.83
Min: 0.26

RL’s P/S Ratio of 2.45 aligns with the market consensus for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GM

0.71

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

GM’s P/B Ratio of 0.71 is within the conventional range for the Automobiles 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.

RL

5.27

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry

Max: 9.76
Q3: 6.00
Median: 3.26
Q1: 1.97
Min: 0.69

RL’s P/B Ratio of 5.27 is within the conventional range for the Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 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.

GM vs. RL: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GM	RL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.38	23.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.29	2.45
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	5.27
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.18	17.05