General Dynamics (GD) vs Northrop Grumman (NOC)
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 Northrop Grumman (NOC) over the past year, losing 4.9% versus a loss of 23.8%. Over five years, GD leads with a +57.0% price change compared with +19.8% for NOC. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($88.37 billion vs $67.26 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.5x vs 17.6x for General Dynamics). Northrop Grumman offers the higher dividend yield (1.99% vs 1.89%). Northrop Grumman converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.0% 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 | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $326.63 | $473.46 |
| Market cap | $88.37B | $67.26B |
| 1-day change | -1.42% | -2.00% |
| YTD return | -2.98% | -16.97% |
| 1-year return | -4.89% | -23.84% |
| 5-year return | +56.99% | +19.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.93 | 15.05 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 15.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.39 | $31.46 |
| Dividend yield | 1.89% | 1.99% |
| Annual dividend | $6.18 | $9.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $52.55B | $41.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.13% | +2.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.21B | $4.18B |
| Operating margin | 10.19% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 8.01% | 9.97% |
| 52-week high | $400.00 | $774.00 |
| 52-week low | $306.77 | $470.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.34% | -38.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.50% | +33.92% |
| Average volume | 1.13M | 847.39K |
| Shares outstanding | 270.56M | 142.06M |
| Employees | 117,000 | 95,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- GD has outperformed NOC by 18.9 percentage points over the past year.
- General Dynamics trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.9x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
- General Dynamics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.13% vs +2.24%).
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 Northrop Grumman
NOC stock →Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 95,000 employees
GD vs NOC FAQ
Which is bigger, General Dynamics or Northrop Grumman?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $88.37B compared with $67.26B for Northrop Grumman (NOC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GD or NOC?
GD returned -4.89% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.84% for NOC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GD or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, 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, General Dynamics or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman has the higher yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.89% for General Dynamics.
Are General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Marine Transportation for General Dynamics and Industrial Machinery/Components for Northrop Grumman.