General Dynamics (GD) vs Kirby (KEX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Kirby (KEX) has outperformed General Dynamics (GD) over the past year, gaining 68.5% versus a loss of 4.9%. Over five years, KEX leads with a +151.5% price change compared with +57.0% for GD. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($88.37 billion vs $7.25 billion), about 12.2 times the size.
On valuation, Kirby trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 17.6x for General Dynamics). General Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 1.89%, while Kirby does not currently pay one. Kirby converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.5% 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 | KEX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $326.63 | $137.36 |
| Market cap | $88.37B | $7.25B |
| 1-day change | -1.42% | -0.82% |
| YTD return | -2.98% | +24.67% |
| 1-year return | -4.89% | +68.46% |
| 5-year return | +56.99% | +151.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.93 | 21.10 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 16.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.39 | $6.51 |
| Dividend yield | 1.89% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.18 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $52.55B | $3.36B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.13% | +3.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.21B | $354.57M |
| Operating margin | 10.19% | 14.75% |
| Net margin | 8.01% | 10.54% |
| 52-week high | $400.00 | $157.69 |
| 52-week low | $306.77 | $79.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.34% | -12.89% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.50% | +19.88% |
| Average volume | 1.13M | 498.99K |
| Shares outstanding | 270.56M | 52.80M |
| Employees | 117,000 | 5,233 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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 12.2 times larger than Kirby by market value ($88.37B vs $7.25B).
- KEX has outperformed GD by 73.3 percentage points over the past year.
- General Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 0.00%).
- General Dynamics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.13% vs +3.01%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: General Dynamics in Industrials and Kirby in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Kirby
KEX stock →Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessels transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barges throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and coastwise along three United States coasts, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 5,233 employees
GD vs KEX FAQ
Which is bigger, General Dynamics or Kirby?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $88.37B compared with $7.25B for Kirby (KEX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GD or KEX?
KEX returned +68.46% 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 KEX?
GD has the lower trailing P/E at 19.9, versus 21.1 for KEX. 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 Kirby?
General Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 1.89%, while Kirby does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are General Dynamics and Kirby in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Industrials sector.