BWX Technologies (BWXT) vs General Dynamics (GD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
General Dynamics (GD) has outperformed BWX Technologies (BWXT) over the past year, losing 4.8% versus a loss of 27.8%. Over five years, BWXT leads with a +152.0% price change compared with +58.6% for GD. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($89.26 billion vs $13.03 billion), about 6.8 times the size, while BWX Technologies is growing revenue faster (+18.3% vs +10.1%).
On valuation, General Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 27.2x for BWX Technologies). General Dynamics offers the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.73%). BWX Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.3% versus 8.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BWXT | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $142.22 | $329.90 |
| Market cap | $13.03B | $89.26B |
| 1-day change | +0.48% | +1.00% |
| YTD return | -17.72% | -2.01% |
| 1-year return | -27.81% | -4.77% |
| 5-year return | +152.03% | +58.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.84 | 20.13 |
| Forward P/E | 27.19 | 17.73 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.86 | $16.39 |
| Dividend yield | 0.73% | 1.87% |
| Annual dividend | $1.04 | $6.18 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.20B | $52.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.30% | +10.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $328.94M | $4.21B |
| Gross margin | 22.91% | — |
| Operating margin | 12.65% | 10.19% |
| Net margin | 10.28% | 8.01% |
| 52-week high | $241.82 | $400.00 |
| 52-week low | $131.86 | $306.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -41.19% | -17.53% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +51.53% | +25.80% |
| Average volume | 1.10M | 1.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 91.62M | 270.56M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 117,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- General Dynamics is about 6.8 times larger than BWX Technologies by market value ($89.26B vs $13.03B).
- GD has outperformed BWXT by 23.0 percentage points over the past year.
- BWX Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.8x vs 20.1x trailing P/E).
- General Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.73%).
- BWX Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.30% vs +10.13%).
About BWX Technologies
BWXT stock →BWX Technologies, Inc. manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 11,000 employees
About General Dynamics
GD stock →General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 117,000 employees
BWXT vs GD FAQ
Which is bigger, BWX Technologies or General Dynamics?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $89.26B compared with $13.03B for BWX Technologies (BWXT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BWXT or GD?
GD returned -4.77% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.81% for BWXT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BWXT or GD?
GD has the lower trailing P/E at 20.1, versus 36.8 for BWXT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, BWX Technologies or General Dynamics?
General Dynamics has the higher yield at 1.87%, compared with 0.73% for BWX Technologies.
Are BWX Technologies and General Dynamics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Aerospace & Defense industry within the Industrials sector.