General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM)
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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
$353.05IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
HWM
Howmet Aerospace Inc.
$229.67IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — GD vs HWM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yGD +190.8% (+11.3%/yr)HWM +995.6% (+27.0%/yr)HWM compounded faster over this window
GD HWM
GD vs HWM: by the numbers
- •GD is the larger company ($95.52B vs $91.89B market cap).
- •GD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.51 vs 49.50 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •HWM converts more revenue to profit (20.52% vs 8.18% net margin).
- •HWM grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.81% vs 7.32% CAGR).
- •GD pays the higher dividend yield (1.74% vs 0.22%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.51 | 49.50 |
| Forward P/E | 20.80 | 43.05 |
| P/S ratio | 1.74 | 10.08 |
| P/B ratio | 3.56 | 16.03 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.83 | 33.21 |
| FCF yield | 6.75% | 1.71% |
Profitability
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.38% | 34.44% |
| Operating margin | 10.32% | 28.33% |
| Net margin | 8.18% | 20.52% |
| ROE | 16.73% | 32.64% |
| ROIC | 10.94% | 18.58% |
Dividends
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.74% | 0.22% |
| Payout ratio | 37.66% | 10.78% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GD | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.32% | 13.81% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.22% | 50.70% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 10.39% | 76.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.40% | 49.45% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, GD or HWM?
- GD has the lower trailing P/E: GD trades at 21.51 and HWM at 49.50. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, GD or HWM?
- Over the past five years, HWM grew revenue faster — GD at a 7.32% CAGR versus HWM at 13.81%.
- Does GD or HWM pay a bigger dividend?
- GD yields 1.74% and HWM yields 0.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GD or HWM more profitable?
- HWM runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.18% versus HWM at 20.52%.
- How have GD and HWM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, GD delivered 11.40% and HWM delivered 27.71% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.