HII
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
Aerospace & Defense
Market Cap$12.58B
5Y Perf.+59.9%
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Stock Comparison
HII vs GD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
Aerospace & Defense
Market Cap$93.91B
5Y Perf.+136.5%
HII vs GD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HII | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $12.58B | $93.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $12.85B | $53.81B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $605M | $4.34B |
| Gross Margin | 12.4% | 15.2% |
| Operating Margin | 4.9% | 10.2% |
| Forward P/E | 18.4x | 21.1x |
| Total Debt | $3.15B | $9.79B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $774M | $2.33B |
HII vs GD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HII
GD
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Ingalls … (HII) | 100 | 159.9 | +59.9% |
| General Dynamics Co… (GD) | 100 | 236.5 | +136.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HII vs GD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: GD leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HII
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
HII is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 13 yrs, beta 0.69, yield 1.7%
- Lower P/E (18.4x vs 21.1x)
- 1.7% yield, 13-year raise streak, vs GD's 1.7%
Best for: income & stability
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
The Growth Play
GD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 10.1%, EPS growth 13.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.1%
- 174.3% 10Y total return vs HII's 132.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.56, Low D/E 38.2%, current ratio 1.44x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | GD | 10.1% revenue growth vs HII's 8.2% |
| Value | HII | Lower P/E (18.4x vs 21.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | GD | 8.1% margin vs HII's 4.7% |
| Stability / Safety | GD | Beta 0.56 vs HII's 0.69, lower leverage |
| Dividends | HII | 1.7% yield, 13-year raise streak, vs GD's 1.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HII | +39.5% vs GD's +30.6% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | GD | 7.5% ROA vs HII's 4.9%, ROIC 12.5% vs 6.2% |
HII vs GD — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
HII vs GD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLGDLAGGINGHII
HIIHuntington Ingalls In…
2leads
GDGeneral Dynamics Corp…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs HIIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
GD5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
HII6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
GD6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
GD5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
GD2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
HII2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GD is the larger business by revenue, generating $53.8B annually — 4.2x HII's $12.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 8.1% (GD) to 4.7% (HII). On growth, HII holds the edge at +13.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $12.8B | $53.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $953M | $6.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $605M | $4.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.1B | $6.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.4% | +15.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.9% | +10.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.7% | +8.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +8.2% | +11.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.4% | +10.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | 0.0% | +12.0% |
GD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
HII leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.8x trailing earnings, HII trades at a 8% valuation discount to GD's 22.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, HII's 16.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GD's 16.8x.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $12.6B | $93.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $15.0B | $101.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 20.76x | 22.46x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 18.43x | 21.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.19x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.96x | 16.79x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.01x | 1.79x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.48x | 3.71x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.85x | 23.72x |
HII leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GD leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GD delivers a 17.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $17 in annual profit, vs $12 for HII. GD carries lower financial leverage with a 0.38x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HII's 0.62x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HII scores 9/9 vs GD's 8/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.0% | +17.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.9% | +7.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.2% | +12.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.4% | +13.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 9 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.62x | 0.38x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.4B | $7.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $774M | $2.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.1B | $9.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 8.86x | 18.94x |
GD leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GD five years ago would be worth $19,433 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,797 for HII. Over the past 12 months, HII leads with a +39.5% total return vs GD's +30.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GD at 20.0% vs HII's 20.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -8.2% | +2.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +39.5% | +30.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +72.7% | +73.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +58.0% | +94.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +132.6% | +174.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.0% | +20.0% |
GD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GD leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GD is the less volatile stock with a 0.56 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HII's 0.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GD currently trades 93.9% from its 52-week high vs HII's 69.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.69x | 0.56x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $460.00 | $369.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $215.05 | $267.39 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +69.5% | +93.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 23.4 | 59.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 474K | 1.3M |
GD leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
HII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HII as "Hold" and GD as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 31.4% upside for HII (target: $420) vs 17.7% for GD (target: $409). For income investors, HII offers the higher dividend yield at 1.70% vs GD's 1.67%.
| Metric | HIIHuntington Ingall… | GDGeneral Dynamics … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $420.00 | $408.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 27 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 13 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $5.42 | $5.82 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.7% |
HII leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
GD leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HII leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallGeneral Dynamics Corporation (GD)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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HII vs GD: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HII or GD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the stronger pick with 10.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 2% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII). Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) offers the better valuation at 20. 8x trailing P/E (18. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate General Dynamics Corporation (GD) a "Buy" — based on 34 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — HII or GD?
On trailing P/E, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
(HII) is the cheapest at 20. 8x versus General Dynamics Corporation at 22. 5x. On forward P/E, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 4x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HII or GD?
Over the past 5 years, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) delivered a total return of +94.
3%, compared to +58. 0% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GD returned +174. 3% versus HII's +132. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HII or GD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
56β versus Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. 's 0. 69β — meaning HII is approximately 23% more volatile than GD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 38% versus 62% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HII or GD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is pulling ahead at 10.
1% versus 8. 2% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: General Dynamics Corporation grew EPS 13. 4% year-over-year, compared to 10. 2% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GD leads at 10. 1% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — HII or GD?
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the more profitable company, earning 8.
0% net margin versus 4. 8% for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GD leads at 10. 2% versus 4. 9% for HII. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GD leads at 15. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is HII or GD more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
(HII) trades at 18. 4x forward P/E versus 21. 1x for General Dynamics Corporation — 2. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HII: 31. 4% to $420. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — HII or GD?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 1. 7% for General Dynamics Corporation (GD).
09Is HII or GD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
56), 1. 7% yield, +174. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GD: +174. 3%, HII: +132. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between HII and GD?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(HII: 13.4% · GD: 10.3%)Net Margin>
%
(HII: 4.7% · GD: 8.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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