General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs Union Pacific Corporation (UNP)
UNP leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and Union Pacific Corporation 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).
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
$359.53Industrials
UNP
Union Pacific Corporation
$267.32Industrials
Total return — GD vs UNP
growth of $100 · last 30yGD +2219.5%UNP +2212.5%GD compounded faster
GD UNP
GD vs UNP: by the numbers
- •UNP is the larger company ($158.71B vs $97.23B market cap).
- •UNP trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.02 vs 22.61 P/E).
- •UNP converts more revenue to profit (29.20% vs 8.07% net margin).
- •GD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.89% vs 5.05% CAGR).
- •UNP pays the higher dividend yield (2.06% vs 1.69%).
Which is better, GD or UNP?
Metric tally: GD 7 · UNP 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueUNP(lower P/E)
GrowthGD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUNP(higher dividend yield)
QualityUNP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GD | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.61 | 22.02● |
| Forward P/E | 19.73 | 19.47 |
| P/S ratio | 1.83● | 6.42 |
| P/B ratio | 3.78● | 8.17 |
| PEG ratio | 1.63● | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.32 | 14.48● |
| FCF yield | 6.29%● | 3.59% |
Profitability
| Metric | GD | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.24% | 45.67%● |
| Operating margin | 10.24% | 40.09%● |
| Net margin | 8.07% | 29.20%● |
| ROE | 16.65% | 37.15%● |
| ROIC | 10.58% | 11.70%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GD | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 2.06%● |
| Payout ratio | 38.94% | 45.96% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GD | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.89%● | 5.05% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.22% | 8.74%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.42%● | 0.04% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.76%● | 6.06% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GD or UNP?
- It depends on your goal. value: UNP (lower P/E); growth: GD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UNP (higher dividend yield); quality: UNP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UNP leads 9 to 7.
- Is GD or UNP cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, UNP is cheaper: GD trades at a 22.61 P/E and UNP at 22.02.
- Which has grown faster, GD or UNP?
- Over the past five years, GD grew revenue faster — GD at a 6.89% CAGR versus UNP at 5.05%.
- Does GD or UNP pay a bigger dividend?
- GD yields 1.69% and UNP yields 2.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GD or UNP more profitable?
- UNP runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.07% versus UNP at 29.20%.
- Which has been the better investment, GD or UNP?
- Over the past 10-year, UNP delivered the higher annualized total return — GD at 12.29% versus UNP at 14.29%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
General Dynamics P/E ratioUnion Pacific P/E ratioGeneral Dynamics dividend yieldUnion Pacific dividend yieldGeneral Dynamics ROEUnion Pacific ROEGeneral Dynamics operating marginUnion Pacific operating marginGeneral Dynamics revenue growthUnion Pacific revenue growthGeneral Dynamics free cash flowUnion Pacific free cash flow
General Dynamics & Union Pacific 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.