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General Dynamics (GD)
NYSE:GD

General Dynamics (GD) AI Stock Analysis

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GD

General Dynamics

(NYSE:GD)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$399.00
▲(13.65% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by solid financial performance (steady growth, stable profitability, and improved leverage) and a strong earnings-call outlook (clear 2026 guidance and record backlog). Technicals are supportive but not strongly momentum-driven, while valuation is a modest headwind given the P/E and moderate dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Record backlog and contract pipeline
A $118B backlog and $179B total estimated contract value provide multi-year revenue visibility across segments, lowering near-term demand risk. High book-to-bill signals sustained government and international awards, supporting durable cash flow and program continuity over several years.
Robust free cash flow and deleveraging
High FCF generation and near-complete cash conversion improve balance-sheet optionality. Lower net debt and management's 100% FCF conversion target for 2026 support capital investment, pension/obligation funding and disciplined capital allocation without undermining long-term financial flexibility.
Diversified, high-performing segment mix
Balanced revenue sources across Marine, Combat, Aerospace and Technologies reduce reliance on any single market cycle. Strong order intake and rising deliveries in multiple segments underpin steady margins and resilience to sector-specific downturns, supporting sustained earnings power.
Negative Factors
Rising capital intensity and refinancing exposure
A large, sustained jump in capex raises structural cash needs and capital intensity, which can strain FCF if conversion falls short. Reliance on refinancing exposes interest cost risk; higher recurring interest would reduce free cash available for buybacks, dividends, or M&A over the medium term.
Persistent supply-chain and single-source bottlenecks
Ongoing supplier and sole-source constraints cap production scalability and delay deliveries, limiting revenue realization and leveraging productivity gains. Structural bottlenecks increase per-unit costs and create sustained margin pressure until multi-sourcing or capacity expansion is achieved.
Tariff headwinds and Technologies segment softness
Rising tariff costs are a structural margin headwind that directly reduce profitability on international supply chains. Coupled with low-single-digit growth and margin weakness in the Technologies segment, this risks compressing companywide operating margins and slowing secular growth in IT services revenues.

General Dynamics (GD) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

General Dynamics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGeneral Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment designs, manufactures, and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, charter, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. The Marine Systems segment designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants, and auxiliary ships for the United States Navy and Jones Act ships for commercial customers, as well as builds crude oil and product tankers, and container and cargo ships. This segment also provides navy ships maintenance and modernization services; lifecycle support and repair services for navy surface ships; and program management, planning, engineering, and design support services for submarines and surface ships. The Combat Systems segment manufactures land combat solutions, such as wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, Stryker wheeled combat vehicles, piranha vehicles, weapons systems, munitions, mobile bridge systems with payloads, tactical vehicles, main battle tanks, armored vehicles, and armaments. This segment also offers modernization programs, engineering, support, and sustainment services. The Technologies segment provides information technology solutions and mission support services; mobile communication, computers, and command-and-control mission systems; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions to military, intelligence, and federal civilian customers. This segment also offers cloud computing, artificial intelligence; machine learning; big data analytics; development, security, and operations; software-defined networks; everything-as-a-service; defense enterprise office system solutions; and unmanned undersea vehicle manufacturing and assembly services. General Dynamics Corporation was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyGeneral Dynamics generates revenue through multiple key streams, primarily from government contracts and sales to commercial clients. The Aerospace segment contributes significantly to revenue through the production and servicing of business jets and military aircraft. The Combat Systems segment earns money by supplying armored vehicles, munitions, and other defense equipment to military organizations. Information Technology and Mission Systems generate revenue from providing IT services, cybersecurity solutions, and mission support for defense and intelligence agencies. Additionally, strategic partnerships with various government entities and private companies enhance GD's market position, providing a steady flow of contracts and repeat business, thus contributing to its overall earnings.

General Dynamics Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Breaks down sales across different business units, revealing which areas contribute most to the company's top line and indicating growth opportunities or potential vulnerabilities.
Chart InsightsGeneral Dynamics is experiencing robust growth in its Aerospace and Marine Systems segments, with Aerospace seeing a remarkable 30.3% revenue increase, driven by new aircraft deliveries. Marine Systems also posted a 13.8% rise, supported by a strong order backlog. Despite a slight decline in Technologies, the overall outlook is positive, bolstered by a record backlog and strong cash flow. However, supply chain issues and potential impacts from a government shutdown pose risks. The company's strategic focus on high-demand segments is paying off, as reflected in its impressive earnings performance.
Data provided by:The Fly

General Dynamics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 28, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlighted strong top-line growth, record backlog and contract value, robust order intake (notably at Combat and Marine), excellent cash generation and clear 2026 guidance. Key operational wins include significant productivity gains at shipyards and strong Gulfstream demand driven by new models. Offsetting items include near-term aerospace margin headwinds (G600), tariff impacts, Technologies segment softness, supply-chain bottlenecks and a substantial planned increase in capex with a refinancing assumption. Overall the positives — durable backlog, strong cash flow, and clear guidance — materially outweigh the near-term operational and cost challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Quarterly Financial Results
Q4 revenue of $14.307B, operating earnings of $1.152B, net earnings of $1.143B and diluted EPS of $4.17. Sequentially, revenue beat prior quarter by 11.4%, operating earnings by 9.1%, net earnings by 7.9% and EPS improved by $0.29.
Strong Full-Year Growth
2025 full-year revenue up 10.1%, operating earnings up 11.7%, net earnings up 11.3%, and diluted EPS up 13.4% versus 2024.
Record Backlog and Contract Value
Finished 2025 with a record total backlog of $118B (up 30% YoY) and total estimated contract value of $179B (up 24% YoY); company-wide book-to-bill for 2025 was 1.5x.
Marine Systems Momentum
Marine Q4 revenue $4.8B, up 21.7% YoY; operating earnings $345M, up 72.5% YoY with a 210 bps improvement in operating margin. Full-year Marine revenue $16.7B (+16.6%) and earnings $1.18B (+25.9%). Electric Boat submarine tonnage up 13% YoY.
Combat Systems Order Strength
Combat Q4 revenue $2.5B (+5.8% YoY) and operating earnings $381M (+7% YoY); Q4 book-to-bill 4.3x and full-year book-to-bill 2.1x. Backlog of $27.2B and TEV ~ $42B with major international awards (e.g., >$4B Germany Eagle vehicles).
Aerospace Demand and Deliveries
Aerospace full-year revenue $13.1B (+16.5% YoY) and earnings $1.75B (+19.3% YoY). Delivered 158 new aircraft in 2025 (22 more than prior year) and Q4 Aerospace book-to-bill 1.3x (Gulfstream 1.4x), with strong demand for G700/G800.
Cash Generation and Free Cash Flow
Operating cash flow of $5.1B for 2025 (Q4 operating cash flow $1.6B). Free cash flow ~ $4B representing a 94% cash conversion rate (above initial guidance); net debt decreased to $5.7B (down $1.4B YoY) and year-end cash $2.3B.
Clear 2026 Financial Guidance
Company guidance for 2026: revenue $54.3–54.8B, operating margin ~10.4% (up 20 bps), operating earnings ~ $5.7B, and EPS $16.10–16.20. Segment outlooks provided (Aerospace ~$13.6B, Combat ~$9.6–9.7B, Marine ~$17.3–17.7B, Technologies ~$13.8B).
Negative Updates
Aerospace Q4 Earnings Pressure
Aerospace Q4 had revenue of $3.788B but showed a $104M decrease in operating earnings compared to the referenced prior period; G600 product line reduced earnings by ~$75M in the quarter due to three fewer deliveries, liquidated-damage variances, higher overheads and tariffs.
Tariffs and Cost Headwinds
Tariff-related impact in 2025 was ~$41M; management expects tariff-related earnings impacts to be higher in 2026 (largely tied to 2025 cash outlays) and contemplated in 2026 margins, creating near-term cost pressure.
Technologies Segment Softness
Technologies Q4 revenue roughly flat YoY at $3.24B while operating earnings fell $29M in the quarter (an ~80 bps decline in operating margin). Growth for the group remains low single-digit with near-term contracting headwinds from government continuing resolution activity.
Supply Chain Constraints
Management flagged remaining supplier capacity constraints and sole-source bottlenecks (notably impacting shipbuilding throughput and Gulfstream production). Supply chain limits are cited as a gating factor for further acceleration of deliveries despite internal productivity gains.
Rising Capital Intensity and Refinancing Risk
Capital expenditures stepped up to $1.2B for 2025 (Q4 capex $609M, ~30% YoY increase). 2026 capex expected to increase by ~79% (~+$900M) to ~3.5–4% of sales. There is a $1B note maturing in 2026 that management assumes will be refinanced, with expected net interest expense rising to ~ $340M.
Comparability and One-Time Items
Some prior-period results (notably the prior-year Q4) included discrete positive items that elevated margins, making year-over-year comparisons more challenging and partially explaining flat net earnings and EPS versus the exceptional prior quarter.
Company Guidance
General Dynamics guided 2026 companywide revenue of $54.3–$54.8 billion, an operating margin of about 10.4% (up ~20 bps), operating earnings near $5.7 billion and diluted EPS of $16.10–$16.20 (guidance excludes capital deployment; a hypothetical $4/quarter would move Q1 -$0.40, Q2 -$0.30, Q3 -$0.10 and Q4 +$0.80). By segment, Aerospace revenue ~ $13.6 billion with ~14% operating margin and ~ $1.9 billion of operating earnings (Gulfstream deliveries ~160), Combat Systems $9.6–9.7 billion revenue with a 14.1% margin and ~ $1.36 billion earnings, Marine Systems $17.3–17.7 billion revenue with a ~30 bps margin improvement and ~ $1.3 billion earnings, and Technologies up to $13.8 billion with ~9.2% margin and ~ $1.3 billion earnings. The company expects 2026 capex to rise by >$900 million (≈79% vs 2025) to about 3.5–4% of sales, targets 100% free cash flow conversion of net income, anticipates interest expense ~ $340 million (vs $314 million in 2025), and a steady effective tax rate near 17.5%; note year-end 2025 metrics included record backlog of $118 billion and total estimated contract value of $179 billion.

General Dynamics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong multi-year revenue growth with stable ~10% operating margins and improving leverage (debt-to-equity down to ~0.31). Offsetting this, gross margin has trended lower and free cash flow declined in 2024–2025, creating a near-term cash conversion risk despite higher earnings.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Revenue has compounded steadily from $37.9B (2020) to $52.6B (2025), with a clear step-up in 2024–2025. Profitability is solid and consistent for the sector, with operating margins holding near ~10% across the period. Offsetting this, gross margin has drifted down (from ~16.7–16.8% in 2020–2022 to ~13.8% in 2025), and net margin remains relatively flat around ~8%, suggesting limited operating leverage despite higher sales.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
Leverage has improved meaningfully: debt-to-equity declined from ~0.83 (2020) to ~0.31 (2025), while equity has grown to $25.6B. Returns on equity remain healthy in the mid-to-high teens (about ~16% in 2025), indicating efficient capital use. The main watch item is that total assets have risen alongside the business, but the data provided doesn’t show liquidity detail—so the view is primarily favorable on leverage and shareholder capital strength.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash generation is positive and supportive: operating cash flow rose to $5.1B (2025) and free cash flow was $4.0B, with free cash flow consistently covering roughly three-quarters to four-fifths of net income over time. However, free cash flow declined in 2024 and again sharply in 2025 (about -18% in 2025), creating a near-term quality-of-earnings and cash conversion concern even as reported profits grew.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue52.55B47.72B42.27B39.41B38.47B
Gross Profit7.95B7.36B6.67B6.62B6.41B
EBITDA6.10B5.82B5.25B5.31B5.19B
Net Income4.21B3.78B3.31B3.39B3.26B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets57.25B55.88B54.81B51.59B50.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.33B1.70B1.91B1.24B1.60B
Total Debt8.01B10.68B11.08B12.11B13.18B
Total Liabilities31.63B33.82B33.51B33.02B32.43B
Stockholders Equity25.62B22.06B21.30B18.57B17.64B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.96B3.20B3.81B3.46B3.38B
Operating Cash Flow5.12B4.11B4.71B4.58B4.27B
Investing Cash Flow-1.29B-959.00M-945.00M-1.49B-882.00M
Financing Cash Flow-3.19B-3.37B-3.09B-3.47B-4.59B

General Dynamics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price351.09
Price Trends
50DMA
346.16
Positive
100DMA
340.71
Positive
200DMA
315.44
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
3.29
Positive
RSI
46.96
Neutral
STOCH
34.13
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GD, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 351.09 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 358.17, above the 50-day MA of 346.16, and above the 200-day MA of 315.44, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.29 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 46.96 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.13 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GD.

General Dynamics Risk Analysis

General Dynamics disclosed 14 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. General Dynamics reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

General Dynamics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$64.13B41.748.20%1.61%2.83%47.00%
75
Outperform
$98.25B23.9126.17%1.55%-0.14%72.35%
75
Outperform
$269.40B40.3010.74%1.44%8.79%39.63%
74
Outperform
$94.84B22.6517.66%1.73%11.86%17.39%
74
Outperform
$145.92B28.9776.87%2.77%2.88%-35.15%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
56
Neutral
$183.02B123.19289.13%10.19%-6.03%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GD
General Dynamics
351.09
98.97
39.26%
BA
Boeing
233.72
57.20
32.40%
LHX
L3Harris Technologies
342.85
133.96
64.13%
LMT
Lockheed Martin
634.22
184.53
41.03%
NOC
Northrop Grumman
692.26
213.31
44.54%
RTX
RTX
200.93
74.34
58.73%

General Dynamics Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
General Dynamics Announces Upcoming Controller Transition
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

On December 3, 2025, General Dynamics announced that William A. Moss will retire as vice president and controller on March 31, 2026. Dana O. Maisano, with over 20 years at the company and experience in various finance roles, will succeed him as controller on April 1, 2026, potentially impacting the company’s financial operations and continuity.

The most recent analyst rating on (GD) stock is a Buy with a $380.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on General Dynamics stock, see the GD Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Danny Deep Appointed President of General Dynamics
Neutral
Dec 5, 2025

On December 3, 2025, Danny Deep, a veteran with over 20 years at General Dynamics, will assume the role of president. His compensation includes a base salary of $1,300,000, with a target annual incentive at 150% of his salary, and a long-term equity-based incentive as outlined in the company’s proxy statement.

The most recent analyst rating on (GD) stock is a Buy with a $380.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on General Dynamics stock, see the GD Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 29, 2026