General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

UPS leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and United Parcel Service, Inc. 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).

Compare

Total return — GD vs UPS

growth of $100 · last 27y
GD +1241.0%UPS +59.7%GD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020042009201420192024$1,341$160
GD UPS

GD vs UPS: by the numbers

  • GD is the larger company ($97.23B vs $92.57B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.61 vs 22.61 P/E).
  • GD converts more revenue to profit (8.07% vs 5.94% net margin).
  • GD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.89% vs -0.23% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.03% vs 1.69%).

Which is better, GD or UPS?

Metric tally: GD 7 · UPS 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUPS(lower P/E)
GrowthGD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUPS(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGDUPS
P/E ratio22.6117.61
Forward P/E19.7313.72
P/S ratio1.831.05
P/B ratio3.785.87
PEG ratio1.630.53
EV / EBITDA16.329.91
FCF yield6.29%4.88%

Profitability

MetricGDUPS
Gross margin15.24%17.79%
Operating margin10.24%8.46%
Net margin8.07%5.94%
ROE16.65%33.30%
ROIC10.58%10.40%

Dividends

MetricGDUPS
Dividend yield1.69%6.03%
Payout ratio38.94%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGDUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.89%-0.23%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.22%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)11.42%-8.72%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.76%-7.59%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GD or UPS?
It depends on your goal. value: UPS (lower P/E); growth: GD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UPS (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, UPS leads 9 to 7.
Is GD or UPS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UPS is cheaper: GD trades at a 22.61 P/E and UPS at 17.61.
Which has grown faster, GD or UPS?
Over the past five years, GD grew revenue faster — GD at a 6.89% CAGR versus UPS at -0.23%.
Does GD or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
GD yields 1.69% and UPS yields 6.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GD or UPS more profitable?
GD runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.07% versus UPS at 5.94%.
Which has been the better investment, GD or UPS?
Over the past 10-year, GD delivered the higher annualized total return — GD at 12.29% versus UPS at 4.36%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.