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

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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnGD vs UPS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
GD +209.9% (+12.0%/yr)UPS +34.9% (+3.0%/yr)GD compounded faster over this window
100150200250300Start $10020182020202220242026$310$135
GD UPS

GD vs UPS: by the numbers

  • GD is the larger company ($96.54B vs $87.04B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.04 vs 21.74 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • GD converts more revenue to profit (8.18% vs 5.08% net margin).
  • GD grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.32% vs 0.98% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.61% vs 1.74%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGDUPS
P/E ratio21.7419.04
Forward P/E21.0214.24
P/S ratio1.760.97
P/B ratio3.605.78
EV / EBITDA15.9910.63
FCF yield6.68%6.30%

Profitability

MetricGDUPS
Gross margin15.38%16.63%
Operating margin10.32%7.31%
Net margin8.18%5.08%
ROE16.73%30.33%
ROIC10.94%8.99%

Dividends

MetricGDUPS
Dividend yield1.74%6.61%
Payout ratio37.66%121.93%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGDUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.32%0.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.22%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.39%-7.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.40%-7.84%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, GD or UPS?
UPS has the lower trailing P/E: GD trades at 21.74 and UPS at 19.04. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, GD or UPS?
Over the past five years, GD grew revenue faster — GD at a 7.32% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
Does GD or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
GD yields 1.74% and UPS yields 6.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GD or UPS more profitable?
GD runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.18% versus UPS at 5.08%.
How have GD and UPS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, GD delivered 11.40% and UPS delivered 3.13% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.