GD vs GE

For growth investors, GE Aerospace (GE) is the stronger pick with 18.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 1% for General Dynamics Corporation (GD). General Dynamics Corporation (GD) offers the better valuation at 22. 5x trailing P/E (21. 1x 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.

On trailing P/E, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the cheapest at 22.

5x versus GE Aerospace at 37. 5x. On forward P/E, General Dynamics Corporation is actually cheaper at 21. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: General Dynamics Corporation wins at 2. 99x versus GE Aerospace's 3. 42x.

Over the past 5 years, GE Aerospace (GE) delivered a total return of +370.

5%, compared to +94. 3% for General Dynamics Corporation (GD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GD returned +174. 3% versus GE's +121. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

56β versus GE Aerospace's 1. 14β — meaning GE is approximately 103% 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 108% for GE Aerospace — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), GE Aerospace (GE) is pulling ahead at 18.

5% versus 10. 1% for General Dynamics Corporation (GD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: GE Aerospace grew EPS 36. 2% year-over-year, compared to 13. 4% for General Dynamics Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, GE leads at 16. 3% 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.

GE Aerospace (GE) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

0% net margin versus 8. 0% for General Dynamics Corporation — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GE leads at 19. 1% versus 10. 2% for GD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GE leads at 36. 8%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 99x versus GE Aerospace's 3. 42x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, General Dynamics Corporation (GD) trades at 21. 1x forward P/E versus 40. 4x for GE Aerospace — 19. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GE: 26. 3% to $386. 20.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

General Dynamics Corporation (GD) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 4% for GE Aerospace (GE).

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%, GE: +121. 3%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: GD is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; GE is a large-cap high-growth stock. GD pays a dividend while GE does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.