General Dynamics (GD) vs Howmet Aerospace (HWM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) has outperformed General Dynamics (GD) over the past year, gaining 16.3% versus a loss of 4.9%. Over five years, HWM leads with a +611.0% price change compared with +57.0% for GD. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($89.26 billion vs $88.76 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Howmet Aerospace is growing revenue faster (+11.1% vs +10.1%).
On valuation, General Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 34.4x for Howmet Aerospace). General Dynamics offers the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.22%). Howmet Aerospace converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.3% 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 | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $329.90 | $222.56 |
| Market cap | $89.26B | $88.76B |
| 1-day change | +1.00% | -0.09% |
| YTD return | -2.98% | +8.65% |
| 1-year return | -4.89% | +16.34% |
| 5-year return | +56.99% | +610.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.13 | 47.97 |
| Forward P/E | 17.73 | 34.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.39 | $4.64 |
| Dividend yield | 1.87% | 0.22% |
| Annual dividend | $6.18 | $0.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $52.55B | $8.25B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.13% | +11.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.21B | $1.51B |
| Gross margin | — | 34.17% |
| Operating margin | 10.19% | 24.79% |
| Net margin | 8.01% | 18.27% |
| 52-week high | $400.00 | $310.00 |
| 52-week low | $306.77 | $183.83 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.53% | -28.21% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.24% | +49.29% |
| Average volume | 1.13M | 2.72M |
| Shares outstanding | 270.56M | 398.80M |
| Employees | 117,000 | 25,430 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Metal Fabrications |
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
- HWM has outperformed GD by 21.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Howmet Aerospace trades at a higher earnings multiple (48.0x vs 20.1x trailing P/E).
- General Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.22%).
- Howmet Aerospace is more profitable, keeping 18.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.0 cents for General Dynamics.
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
About Howmet Aerospace
HWM stock →Howmet Aerospace Inc. provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 25,430 employees
GD vs HWM FAQ
Which is bigger, General Dynamics or Howmet Aerospace?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $89.26B compared with $88.76B for Howmet Aerospace (HWM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GD or HWM?
HWM returned +16.34% over the past 12 months, compared with -4.89% for GD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GD or HWM?
GD has the lower trailing P/E at 20.1, versus 48.0 for HWM. 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, General Dynamics or Howmet Aerospace?
General Dynamics has the higher yield at 1.87%, compared with 0.22% for Howmet Aerospace.
Are General Dynamics and Howmet Aerospace in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Marine Transportation for General Dynamics and Metal Fabrications for Howmet Aerospace.