General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnGD vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
GD +219.7% (+12.3%/yr)WM +314.8% (+15.3%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$320$415
GD WM

GD vs WM: by the numbers

  • GD is the larger company ($106.15B vs $89.97B market cap).
  • GD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.91 vs 31.88 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WM converts more revenue to profit (11.12% vs 8.18% net margin).
  • WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs 7.32% CAGR).
  • GD pays the higher dividend yield (1.58% vs 1.57%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGDWM
P/E ratio23.9131.88
Forward P/E23.1927.73
P/S ratio1.963.54
P/B ratio4.009.15
EV / EBITDA17.7014.62
FCF yield6.00%3.94%

Profitability

MetricGDWM
Gross margin15.38%35.04%
Operating margin10.32%18.54%
Net margin8.18%11.12%
ROE16.73%28.74%
ROIC10.94%9.01%

Dividends

MetricGDWM
Dividend yield1.58%1.57%
Payout ratio39.51%52.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGDWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.32%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.22%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.39%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.38%9.92%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, GD or WM?
GD has the lower trailing P/E: GD trades at 23.91 and WM at 31.88. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, GD or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — GD at a 7.32% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does GD or WM pay a bigger dividend?
GD yields 1.58% and WM yields 1.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GD or WM more profitable?
WM runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.18% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have GD and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, GD delivered 12.32% and WM delivered 15.29% 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 August 20, 2026.