General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs 3M Company (MMM)
GD leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and 3M Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — GD vs MMM
growth of $100 · last 30yGD +2219.5%MMM +453.6%GD compounded faster
GD MMM
GD vs MMM: by the numbers
- •GD is the larger company ($97.23B vs $82.53B market cap).
- •GD trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.61 vs 30.49 P/E).
- •MMM converts more revenue to profit (11.14% vs 8.07% net margin).
- •GD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.89% vs -5.36% CAGR).
- •MMM pays the higher dividend yield (1.91% vs 1.69%).
Which is better, GD or MMM?
Metric tally: GD 9 · MMM 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueGD(lower P/E)
GrowthGD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMMM(higher dividend yield)
QualityMMM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GD | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.61● | 30.49 |
| Forward P/E | 19.73 | 16.69● |
| P/S ratio | 1.83● | 3.37 |
| P/B ratio | 3.78● | 25.84 |
| PEG ratio | 1.63 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.32● | 18.54 |
| FCF yield | 6.29%● | 2.44% |
Profitability
| Metric | GD | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.24% | 39.51%● |
| Operating margin | 10.24% | 19.60%● |
| Net margin | 8.07% | 11.14%● |
| ROE | 16.65% | 85.41%● |
| ROIC | 10.58% | 11.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GD | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 1.91%● |
| Payout ratio | 38.94% | 50.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GD | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.89%● | -5.36% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.22%● | -8.53% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.42%● | -21.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.76%● | 2.44% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GD or MMM?
- It depends on your goal. value: GD (lower P/E); growth: GD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MMM (higher dividend yield); quality: MMM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GD leads 9 to 7.
- Is GD or MMM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, GD is cheaper: GD trades at a 22.61 P/E and MMM at 30.49.
- Which has grown faster, GD or MMM?
- Over the past five years, GD grew revenue faster — GD at a 6.89% CAGR versus MMM at -5.36%.
- Does GD or MMM pay a bigger dividend?
- GD yields 1.69% and MMM yields 1.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GD or MMM more profitable?
- MMM runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.07% versus MMM at 11.14%.
- Which has been the better investment, GD or MMM?
- Over the past 10-year, GD delivered the higher annualized total return — GD at 12.29% versus MMM at 4.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
General Dynamics P/E ratio3M P/E ratioGeneral Dynamics dividend yield3M dividend yieldGeneral Dynamics ROE3M ROEGeneral Dynamics operating margin3M operating marginGeneral Dynamics revenue growth3M revenue growthGeneral Dynamics free cash flow3M free cash flow
General Dynamics & 3M 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 16, 2026.