General Dynamics (GD) vs Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH)
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 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) over the past year, losing 4.9% versus a loss of 37.0%. Over five years, GD leads with a +57.0% price change compared with -43.3% for NCLH. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($89.32 billion vs $7.09 billion), about 12.6 times the size.
On valuation, Norwegian Cruise Line trades at a lower forward P/E (9.4x vs 17.7x for General Dynamics). General Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 1.87%, while Norwegian Cruise Line does not currently pay one. General Dynamics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.0% versus 4.3%.
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 | NCLH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $330.13 | $15.43 |
| Market cap | $89.32B | $7.09B |
| 1-day change | +1.07% | +2.53% |
| YTD return | -2.98% | -32.57% |
| 1-year return | -4.89% | -37.03% |
| 5-year return | +56.99% | -43.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.14 | 9.52 |
| Forward P/E | 17.74 | 9.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.39 | $1.62 |
| Dividend yield | 1.87% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.18 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $52.55B | $9.83B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.13% | +3.67% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.21B | $423.25M |
| Gross margin | — | 42.62% |
| Operating margin | 10.19% | 15.88% |
| Net margin | 8.01% | 4.31% |
| 52-week high | $400.00 | $25.13 |
| 52-week low | $306.77 | $13.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.47% | -38.60% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.15% | +30.14% |
| Average volume | 1.13M | 16.68M |
| Shares outstanding | 270.56M | 459.19M |
| Employees | 117,000 | 44,500 |
| 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 12.6 times larger than Norwegian Cruise Line by market value ($89.32B vs $7.09B).
- GD has outperformed NCLH by 32.1 percentage points over the past year.
- General Dynamics trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.1x vs 9.5x trailing P/E).
- General Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.00%).
- General Dynamics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.13% vs +3.67%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: General Dynamics in Industrials and Norwegian Cruise Line 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 Norwegian Cruise Line
NCLH stock →Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. It offers itineraries to destinations, such as Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Alaska; and inter-island itinerary in Hawaii.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 44,500 employees
GD vs NCLH FAQ
Which is bigger, General Dynamics or Norwegian Cruise Line?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $89.32B compared with $7.09B for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GD or NCLH?
GD returned -4.89% over the past 12 months, compared with -37.03% for NCLH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GD or NCLH?
NCLH has the lower trailing P/E at 9.5, versus 20.1 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, General Dynamics or Norwegian Cruise Line?
General Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 1.87%, while Norwegian Cruise Line does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are General Dynamics and Norwegian Cruise Line in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Industrials sector.