General Dynamics (GD) vs Woodward (WWD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Woodward (WWD) has outperformed General Dynamics (GD) over the past year, gaining 28.5% versus a loss of 4.8%. Over five years, WWD leads with a +180.1% price change compared with +58.6% for GD. General Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($89.26 billion vs $19.10 billion), about 4.7 times the size.
On valuation, General Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 30.1x for Woodward). General Dynamics offers the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.30%). Woodward converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.4% 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 | GD | WWD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $329.90 | $323.45 |
| Market cap | $89.26B | $19.10B |
| 1-day change | +1.00% | -0.25% |
| YTD return | -2.01% | +6.99% |
| 1-year return | -4.77% | +28.51% |
| 5-year return | +58.56% | +180.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.13 | 35.98 |
| Forward P/E | 17.73 | 30.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.39 | $8.99 |
| Dividend yield | 1.87% | 0.30% |
| Annual dividend | $6.18 | $0.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $52.55B | $3.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.13% | +7.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.21B | $442.11M |
| Gross margin | — | 26.81% |
| Operating margin | 10.19% | — |
| Net margin | 8.01% | 12.39% |
| 52-week high | $400.00 | $450.92 |
| 52-week low | $306.77 | $244.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.53% | -28.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.80% | +33.71% |
| Average volume | 1.13M | 669.89K |
| Shares outstanding | 270.56M | 59.05M |
| Employees | 117,000 | 10,200 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
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 4.7 times larger than Woodward by market value ($89.26B vs $19.10B).
- WWD has outperformed GD by 33.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Woodward trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.0x vs 20.1x trailing P/E).
- General Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 0.30%).
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 · Aerospace & Defense · 117,000 employees
About Woodward
WWD stock →Woodward, Inc. designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide.
Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · 10,200 employees
GD vs WWD FAQ
Which is bigger, General Dynamics or Woodward?
General Dynamics (GD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $89.26B compared with $19.10B for Woodward (WWD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GD or WWD?
WWD returned +28.51% over the past 12 months, compared with -4.77% for GD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GD or WWD?
GD has the lower trailing P/E at 20.1, versus 36.0 for WWD. 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 Woodward?
General Dynamics has the higher yield at 1.87%, compared with 0.30% for Woodward.
Are General Dynamics and Woodward in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Aerospace & Defense industry within the Industrials sector.