General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM)
HWM leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though GD is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and Howmet Aerospace Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
$350.01Industrials
HWM
Howmet Aerospace Inc.
$277.66Industrials
Total return — GD vs HWM
growth of $100 · last 30yGD +2079.4%HWM +1090.9%GD compounded faster
GD HWM
GD vs HWM: by the numbers
- •HWM is the larger company ($111.09B vs $94.65B market cap).
- •GD trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.01 vs 64.42 P/E).
- •HWM converts more revenue to profit (20.22% vs 8.07% net margin).
- •HWM grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.27% vs 6.89% CAGR).
- •GD pays the higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 0.17%).
Which is better, GD or HWM?
Metric tally: GD 8 · HWM 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueGD(lower P/E)
GrowthHWM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeGD(higher dividend yield)
QualityHWM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.01● | 64.42 |
| Forward P/E | 19.21● | 46.11 |
| P/S ratio | 1.78● | 12.98 |
| P/B ratio | 3.68● | 20.26 |
| PEG ratio | 1.62● | 1.73 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.91● | 44.78 |
| FCF yield | 6.46%● | 1.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.24% | 32.56%● |
| Operating margin | 10.24% | 27.53%● |
| Net margin | 8.07% | 20.22%● |
| ROE | 16.65% | 31.58%● |
| ROIC | 10.58% | 18.19%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.74%● | 0.17% |
| Payout ratio | 38.94% | 12.87% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.89% | 12.27%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.22% | 50.70%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.42% | 103.64%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.03% | 53.39%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GD or HWM?
- It depends on your goal. value: GD (lower P/E); growth: HWM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: GD (higher dividend yield); quality: HWM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HWM leads 9 to 8.
- Is GD or HWM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, GD is cheaper: GD trades at a 22.01 P/E and HWM at 64.42.
- Which has grown faster, GD or HWM?
- Over the past five years, HWM grew revenue faster — GD at a 6.89% CAGR versus HWM at 12.27%.
- Does GD or HWM pay a bigger dividend?
- GD yields 1.74% and HWM yields 0.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GD or HWM more profitable?
- HWM runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.07% versus HWM at 20.22%.
- Which has been the better investment, GD or HWM?
- Over the past 10-year, HWM delivered the higher annualized total return — GD at 12.08% versus HWM at 30.25%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
General Dynamics P/E ratioHowmet Aerospace P/E ratioGeneral Dynamics dividend yieldHowmet Aerospace dividend yieldGeneral Dynamics ROEHowmet Aerospace ROEGeneral Dynamics operating marginHowmet Aerospace operating marginGeneral Dynamics revenue growthHowmet Aerospace revenue growthGeneral Dynamics free cash flowHowmet Aerospace free cash flow
General Dynamics & Howmet Aerospace appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 21, 2026.