Carnival (CCL) 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 Carnival (CCL) over the past year, losing 4.9% versus a loss of 8.9%. Over five years, GD leads with a +57.0% price change compared with +10.5% for CCL. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($88.37 billion vs $35.16 billion), about 2.5 times the size.
On valuation, Carnival trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 17.6x for General Dynamics). General Dynamics offers the higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 1.72%). Carnival converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.4% 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 | CCL | GD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $26.15 | $326.63 |
| Market cap | $35.16B | $88.37B |
| 1-day change | -1.62% | -1.42% |
| YTD return | -14.37% | -2.98% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | -4.89% |
| 5-year return | +10.48% | +56.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.52 | 19.93 |
| Forward P/E | 10.21 | 17.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.27 | $16.39 |
| Dividend yield | 1.72% | 1.89% |
| Annual dividend | $0.45 | $6.18 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $26.62B | $52.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.40% | +10.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.76B | $4.21B |
| Operating margin | 16.84% | 10.19% |
| Net margin | 10.37% | 8.01% |
| 52-week high | $34.03 | $400.00 |
| 52-week low | $21.45 | $306.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -23.16% | -18.34% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.75% | +27.50% |
| Average volume | 21.17M | 1.13M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.34B | 270.56M |
| Employees | 160,000 | 117,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Marine Transportation |
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 2.5 times larger than Carnival by market value ($88.37B vs $35.16B).
- General Dynamics trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.9x vs 11.5x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Carnival in Consumer Discretionary and General Dynamics in Industrials.
About Carnival
CCL stock →Carnival Corporation Ltd., a cruise company, provides leisure travel services. The company operates through four segments: North America Cruise Operations, Europe Cruise Operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 160,000 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 · Marine Transportation · 117,000 employees
CCL vs GD FAQ
Which is bigger, Carnival or General Dynamics?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $88.37B compared with $35.16B for Carnival (CCL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCL or GD?
GD returned -4.89% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.92% for CCL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CCL or GD?
CCL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.5, versus 19.9 for GD. 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, Carnival or General Dynamics?
General Dynamics has the higher yield at 1.89%, compared with 1.72% for Carnival.
Are Carnival and General Dynamics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.