Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Evergreen Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report) by 14.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 35,978 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 6,025 shares during the quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC’s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $11,939,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oxford Financial Group LTD. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 1.9% during the second quarter. Oxford Financial Group LTD. LLC now owns 1,426 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $505,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the period. Willner & Heller LLC increased its holdings in General Dynamics by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Willner & Heller LLC now owns 2,050 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $726,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Meriwether Wealth & Planning LLC increased its holdings in General Dynamics by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Meriwether Wealth & Planning LLC now owns 3,443 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,220,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK raised its position in General Dynamics by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 4,551 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,612,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Klingman & Associates LLC raised its position in General Dynamics by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 949 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GD has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $435.00 to $465.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Monday, September 28th. BNP Paribas Exane raised their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $390.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $404.00 to $374.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $402.32.

Get Our Latest Analysis on General Dynamics General Dynamics Trading Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE:GD opened at $349.29 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. General Dynamics Corporation has a 12-month low of $306.77 and a 12-month high of $400.00. The business has a 50 day moving average of $353.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $354.99. The company has a market capitalization of $94.50 billion, a PE ratio of 21.31, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.33.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.96 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $14.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.52 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 17.43%. The business’s revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.74 EPS. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that General Dynamics Corporation will post 16.99 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $1.59 per share. This represents a $6.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. General Dynamics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.80%.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics In other General Dynamics news, CEO Phebe Novakovic sold 51,568 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $382.58, for a total value of $19,728,885.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 766,457 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $293,231,119.06. The trade was a 6.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Marguerite Gilliland sold 43,180 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.04, for a total transaction of $16,323,767.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 44,767 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,923,716.68. This trade represents a 49.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 102,188 shares of company stock valued at $38,627,265. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) is a global aerospace and defense company that develops, manufactures and supports products and services for government and commercial customers. Its operations serve the U.S. government, allied nations and other customers worldwide, with a significant focus on national security, military modernization and mission support.

The company operates through four primary business areas. Aerospace provides Gulfstream business jets and related aircraft services through Gulfstream Aerospace, as well as aircraft management, charter, maintenance and completions services through Jet Aviation.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics Bloom Energy Just Reported—Its Biggest Order Is Still Waiting on a Pipeline Why Western Digital’s AI Storage Boom Defies the Chip Sell-Off Grand Canyon Education Strengthens Its Outlook, But Wall Street Remains Divided Amex Stock Slides on Job Cuts, But the Real Story Is Macro

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

The market expects General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis defense contractor is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.14 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.7%.

Revenues are expected to be $13.69 billion, up 6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.09% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for General Dynamics?For General Dynamics, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.77%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that General Dynamics will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that General Dynamics would post earnings of $3.95 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.24, delivering a surprise of +7.34%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

General Dynamics appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsHuntington Ingalls (HII - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $4.41 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +19.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $3.39 billion, up 6.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Huntington Ingalls has been revised 1.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.74%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Huntington Ingalls will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) Headquartered in Reston, VA, General Dynamics Corporation engages in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. The company was incorporated in February 1952.

GD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. GD has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 9.6% for the current fiscal year.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $16.94 per share. GD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, GD should be on investors' short list.

NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC lifted its stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report) by 7.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,502 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,197 shares during the quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC’s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $14,681,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec boosted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 454.0% during the second quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 180,917 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $64,088,000 after acquiring an additional 148,262 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics during the second quarter worth about $21,368,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,781,000. Professional Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in General Dynamics by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Professional Advisory Services Inc. now owns 67,028 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $23,744,000 after purchasing an additional 2,562 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in General Dynamics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,254,000. Institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

General Dynamics Price Performance Shares of GD opened at $334.96 on Tuesday. General Dynamics Corporation has a one year low of $306.77 and a one year high of $400.00. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $362.49 and its 200-day moving average is $355.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.33.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.96 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $14.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.52 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 17.43%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.74 earnings per share. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 16.99 EPS for the current year. General Dynamics Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.59 per share. This represents a $6.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. General Dynamics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $404.00 to $374.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of General Dynamics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Monday, September 28th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on General Dynamics from $420.00 to $455.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on General Dynamics from $435.00 to $465.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, General Dynamics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $407.16.

Get Our Latest Analysis on GD

Insider Activity at General Dynamics In related news, EVP Marguerite Gilliland sold 43,180 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $378.04, for a total transaction of $16,323,767.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 44,767 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,923,716.68. This trade represents a 49.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 51,568 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $382.58, for a total transaction of $19,728,885.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 766,457 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $293,231,119.06. The trade was a 6.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 102,188 shares of company stock worth $38,627,265 over the last quarter. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

General Dynamics Company Profile (Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is an aerospace and defense company that develops and delivers products and services for government and commercial customers. The company operates through four primary business segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.

Its Aerospace segment designs and manufactures Gulfstream business jets and provides aircraft support services. Marine Systems builds nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy, while Combat Systems produces armored vehicles, combat systems, weapons, and munitions.

See Also Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics Salesforce Just Got a Rare Double Upgrade—What Changed? OpenAI’s Revenue Scare Could Be a Big Opportunity for Investors China Still Dominates Rare Earths—These 3 U.S. Companies Could Benefit 3 REITs That May Win in a Higher Interest Rate Environment

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

RESTON, Va., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) will webcast its third-quarter financial results conference call on Friday, October 30, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT.

The live webcast of the conference call will be available at www.gd.com. A replay will be available shortly after the live presentation.

More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.  

SOURCE General Dynamics

You are now leaving Barron's websiteBy clicking on the “Proceed” button below, you will be redirected to a third-party website owned and operated by Hong Kong Tiimoot Information Technology Co., Limited. (“HKT”), which is located in Hong Kong. That website operates independently from Barron's and Barron's does not control the website. The privacy practices of HKT are subject to its Privacy Statement, so please read it closely. We are not responsible for HKT's privacy or other data-related practices.

RESTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) announced today that its board of directors has elected Danny Deep, who currently serves as president of the company, to be CEO, effective January 1, 2027.

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, August 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $1.59 per share by the aerospace company on Friday, November 13th. This represents a $6.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th.

General Dynamics has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 34 years. General Dynamics has a dividend payout ratio of 38.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect General Dynamics to earn $18.61 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.36 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 34.2%.

General Dynamics Price Performance Shares of GD stock opened at $331.53 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $89.70 billion, a PE ratio of 20.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $366.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $355.90. General Dynamics has a 12 month low of $306.77 and a 12 month high of $400.00.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.96 by $0.28. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 17.43% and a net margin of 8.18%.The firm had revenue of $14.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.74 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. Analysts predict that General Dynamics will post 16.99 earnings per share for the current year. (Get Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is an aerospace and defense company that develops and delivers products and services for government and commercial customers. The company operates through four primary business segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.

Its Aerospace segment designs and manufactures Gulfstream business jets and provides aircraft support services. Marine Systems builds nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy, while Combat Systems produces armored vehicles, combat systems, weapons, and munitions.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics Constellation Energy’s Google Deal Shows Why Nuclear Uprates Matter for AI Lamb Weston’s Turnaround Is Starting to Look Real These 3 Stocks Got the Most Love From Analysts in September Record French Debt Could Create Opportunities for U.S. Market Operators

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $410.84.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $364.00 to $404.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $435.00 to $465.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th.

View Our Latest Analysis on GD

General Dynamics Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:GD opened at $331.53 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.96. General Dynamics has a 1 year low of $306.77 and a 1 year high of $400.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $89.70 billion, a PE ratio of 20.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.33. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $366.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $355.90. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.96 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $14.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.52 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 17.43% and a net margin of 8.18%.The firm’s revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.74 EPS. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that General Dynamics will post 16.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $1.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $6.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. General Dynamics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.80%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other General Dynamics news, Director Robert K. Steel sold 7,440 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.05, for a total transaction of $2,574,612.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,096 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,071,370.80. The trade was a 70.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marguerite Gilliland sold 43,180 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.04, for a total value of $16,323,767.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 44,767 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,923,716.68. This trade represents a 49.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 102,188 shares of company stock valued at $38,627,265. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On General Dynamics Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GD. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in General Dynamics in the second quarter worth approximately $6,840,590,000. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,811,099 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $4,183,964,000 after purchasing an additional 374,682 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,603,527,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in General Dynamics by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,307,389 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,786,786,000 after buying an additional 114,647 shares during the period. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LP boosted its stake in General Dynamics by 806.3% during the second quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP now owns 1,661,702 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $588,641,000 after buying an additional 1,478,353 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is an aerospace and defense company that develops and delivers products and services for government and commercial customers. The company operates through four primary business segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.

Its Aerospace segment designs and manufactures Gulfstream business jets and provides aircraft support services. Marine Systems builds nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy, while Combat Systems produces armored vehicles, combat systems, weapons, and munitions.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics Constellation Energy’s Google Deal Shows Why Nuclear Uprates Matter for AI Lamb Weston’s Turnaround Is Starting to Look Real These 3 Stocks Got the Most Love From Analysts in September Record French Debt Could Create Opportunities for U.S. Market Operators

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry.

This defense contractor has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 9.38%.

For the last reported quarter, General Dynamics came out with earnings of $4.24 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.95 per share, representing a surprise of 7.34%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $3.68 per share and it actually produced earnings of $4.1 per share, delivering a surprise of 11.41%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for General Dynamics lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

General Dynamics has an Earnings ESP of +0.86% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Key Takeaways General Dynamics secured a $40M Navy order for 19 Virginia-class submarine hydraulic actuators.Work runs through December 2040, giving GD long-term visibility into Navy submarine programs.Virginia-class demand may support GD through new builds, components, upgrades and lifecycle support. General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) continues to benefit from sustained demand for Virginia-class submarines and their critical components. Its Electric Boat business recently received a $40 million order from the U.S. Navy for 19 hydraulic actuators used on Virginia-class submarines.

The work will be performed in Groton, CT, and is expected to be completed by December 2040. The long completion timeline highlights the extended nature of the Navy’s submarine procurement and sustainment programs and provides General Dynamics with visibility into future work.

Hydraulic actuators are important components that support the operation of submarine systems. Continued procurement of such equipment reflects the Navy’s focus on maintaining the readiness and performance of its submarine fleet while supporting ongoing Virginia-class production.

The award also reinforces Electric Boat’s position as a key supplier to the Navy’s submarine programs. General Dynamics has extensive experience in designing, building and supporting nuclear-powered submarines, giving it a strong position in long-cycle naval programs.

Demand for Virginia-class submarines is expected to remain an important driver for General Dynamics as the Navy works to expand and modernize its undersea fleet. Along with new construction, the company can benefit from recurring orders for components, upgrades and lifecycle support.

Continued investment in submarine capabilities and related equipment could therefore provide General Dynamics with steady opportunities across its naval business over the long term.

Defense Stocks to Keep on the RadarGrowing investment in nuclear-powered submarines and naval modernization could also benefit other defense contractors with established undersea capabilities.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII - Free Report) : Huntington Ingalls Industries supports the Navy’s submarine fleet through its Newport News Shipbuilding business, which participates in the construction and maintenance of nuclear-powered submarines.

Lockheed Martin (LMT - Free Report) : Lockheed Martin supplies advanced mission systems, sensors and weapons technologies for U.S. Navy platforms, supporting demand associated with the modernization and sustainment of the submarine fleet.

The Zacks Rundown for GDShares of GD have lost 2.5% in the past year compared with the industry’s 16% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company's shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.56X compared with its industry’s average of 2.19X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GD stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

A stock that has lost nearly everything this year just announced a $20 million defense order alongside Palantir's name, and the fine print tells a very different story than the headline.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

VisionWave Holdings (NASDAQ:VWAV) stated on September 24 that it signed and accepted a purchase order from Metal Machinery Components Trading FZCO, a privately held Dubai trading company, for 200 STRATUM VARAN unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). The company put the aggregate base purchase price at $20 million, and the news reached readers through a paid promotional release that grouped VisionWave with Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR | PLTR Price Prediction) as leaders of the autonomous defense boom, according to VisionWave.

VisionWave stock was down 11% to $5.16 as of Friday morning, and it is down 97% year to date. In contrast, Palantir stock is up 8% in 2026 so far. For context, the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:ITA) is down 1.5% year to date.

What VisionWave’s Order Actually Commits To Only VisionWave’s signature is firmly committed. The release states that Metal Machinery Components Trading FZCO isn’t the end user and may act for more than one prospective end user, each of which VisionWave must approve. VisionWave is to receive a $2 million advance, and its release adds: “VisionWave has not received the advance payment or any other amount under the purchase order.”, according to VisionWave Holdings

Production, procurement and delivery hinge on conditions VisionWave lists: proof of full financing, an agreed bank guarantee, the advance in cleared funds, export approvals, and a sanctions, anti-money-laundering and end-user compliance review. None had been satisfied as of the release date, and the three-batch, three-year delivery schedule starts only when the last condition is met or waived. VisionWave excludes the order from its backlog and has recognized no revenue on it.

Read-Through for Every Name on the List For VisionWave, the UGV order is the entire story. VisionWave’s trailing twelve-month revenue is $286,340, and the order carries a stated value of $20 million, according to VisionWave Holdings. CEO Douglas Davis called the order an important commercial validation for the platform.

Palantir’s read-through from VisionWave’s order is nothing at all, even though the release names it among autonomous defense leaders. Textron (NYSE:TXT) is also on that list. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is too, though none of the three is a party to the order or mentioned in its terms.

Reality Check on a Paid Headline A paid stock-alert publisher’s own disclaimer states that VisionWave compensated it $4,900 for news coverage of its press releases, according to Platinum Trade Alerts. The mechanic: a real headline number, a genuine current report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and blue-chip names supplying credibility they had no part in lending.

Nothing here says VisionWave’s order is fake. In the same release, VisionWave told investors directly not to regard the aggregate order value as a firm order or as an indication of expected revenue in any period. A name trading like this belongs in a small speculation bucket if anywhere, sized and managed with rules (we put a free playbook on that here).

Does the Order Change the VisionWave Story? At the end of the day, it appears that the story remains the same. VisionWave holds a signed document with conditions attached and no money behind it. Shareholders can watch for VisionWave’s receipt of the $2 million advance in cleared funds, agreed guarantee terms and a completed compliance review, any of which could surface in a follow-on filing, according to VisionWave.

Until those conditions clear, the delivery timeline doesn’t start and VisionWave has no revenue to recognize. For Palantir, Textron and General Dynamics, the order changes nothing. Investors weighing their exposure should adjust their holdings carefully given that VisionWave has received no payment under the order and excludes it from its backlog.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Key Takeaways General Dynamics secured a $49.3M Stryker contract modification, lifting cumulative value to about $278.9M.The Stryker award runs through December 2028, adding revenue visibility for GD's Land Systems unit.Continued Army procurement, upgrades and lifecycle support could sustain Stryker demand for General Dynamics. General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) is benefiting from continued U.S. Army demand for modern armored vehicles as the military strengthens its ground combat capabilities. Through its Land Systems business, the company recently received a $49.3 million contract modification for the procurement of Double V-Hull A1 Stryker vehicles, bringing the cumulative value of the contract to approximately $278.9 million.

The latest award highlights continued demand for the Stryker platform, which provides the Army with a combination of mobility, protection and firepower. The Double V-Hull design is intended to improve protection against mine and improvised explosive device threats, supporting the Army’s requirements for survivable vehicles in challenging operating environments.

The contract is expected to run through December 2028, providing General Dynamics with additional revenue visibility. Continued procurement of Stryker vehicles also supports the company’s Land Systems business as the Army invests in modernizing and expanding its fleet of combat vehicles.

General Dynamics’ established relationship with the U.S. Army and extensive experience in armored vehicle production position it well to benefit from sustained demand for ground combat systems. The company can also benefit from follow-on orders, upgrades and lifecycle support as the Stryker fleet continues to operate and evolve.

With ongoing investment in protected mobility and ground combat capabilities, General Dynamics is well-positioned to capture additional opportunities in the U.S. Army vehicle market. Continued Stryker procurement should provide a steady source of demand for its Land Systems business in the coming years.

Defense Stocks to Keep on the RadarAlong with General Dynamics, other defense companies benefiting from demand for armored and ground combat vehicles are discussed below:

Lockheed Martin (LMT - Free Report) : Lockheed Martin provides advanced ground combat and battlefield systems, including precision weapons, sensors and mission systems that support the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts.

RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) : RTX develops advanced weapons, sensors and vehicle protection technologies for ground forces. Its solutions support survivability, precision strike and situational awareness across modern battlefield platforms.

The Zacks Rundown for GDShares of GD have risen 6.2% in the past year against the industry’s 13.5% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company's shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.61X compared with its industry’s average of 2.27X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GD stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.8% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) Headquartered in Falls Church, VA, General Dynamics Corporation engages in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. The company was incorporated in February 1952.

GD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 20.83; value investors should take notice.

Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.29 to $16.95 per share. GD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, GD should be on investors' short list.

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?

Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) .

General Dynamics currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 2.00, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 24 brokerage firms. An ABR of 2.00 indicates Buy.

Of the 24 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 13 are Strong Buy, representing 54.2% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for GD

Check price target & stock forecast for General Dynamics here>>>

The ABR suggests buying General Dynamics, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.

Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.

On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.

Is GD a Good Investment?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for General Dynamics, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0.1% over the past month to $16.95.

Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for General Dynamics. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for General Dynamics may serve as a useful guide for investors.

The First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) offers diversified exposure to surging U.S. defense spending, especially amid escalating demand for munitions and advanced defense systems. FY 2027 defense procurement requests show unprecedented growth, with munitions up 185% and missile orders far exceeding historical averages, supporting robust industry backlogs.

Investors might want to bet on General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for General Dynamics basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for General Dynamics imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for General DynamicsFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this defense contractor is expected to earn $16.95 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for General Dynamics. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.3%.

Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of General Dynamics to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

Key Takeaways General Dynamics won a $184.3M Navy contract for next-gen electronic attack systems and support.The deal runs through September 2032, covering full-rate production and sustainment services.Navy modernization in electronic warfare and mission computing supports demand for advanced capabilities. General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) is strengthening its position in electronic warfare as the U.S. Navy continues to modernize aircraft and invest in advanced technologies to counter evolving threats. Through its Mission Systems business, the company recently received a $184.3 million contract to manufacture and sustain Next Generation Electronics Attack Units (NGEAU) and provide future sustainment support for Advanced Capability Mission Computers.

The award covers full-rate production of NGEAU systems and sustainment services, providing General Dynamics with visibility into both near-term production and longer-term support opportunities. The contract is expected to run through September 2032, highlighting the extended demand for these capabilities.

Next-generation electronic attack systems are becoming increasingly important as military forces seek to disrupt adversary communications, radar and other electronic systems. Modernizing aircraft with advanced electronic warfare and mission-computing technologies should help improve survivability and mission effectiveness in contested environments.

General Dynamics’ established presence in naval electronic systems and its role in developing advanced mission technologies position it well to benefit from these modernization efforts. The company’s ability to support both production and sustainment should further strengthen its position across the lifecycle of these systems.

With the U.S. Navy prioritizing advanced electronic warfare, mission computing and aircraft modernization, General Dynamics is well-positioned to benefit from sustained demand for next-generation electronic attack capabilities and related support services.

Defense Stocks to Keep on the RadarOther defense companies benefiting from rising demand for electronic warfare capabilities are discussed below:

L3Harris Technologies (LHX - Free Report) : L3Harris continues to expand its electronic warfare portfolio. In 2026, the company demonstrated autonomous electronic warfare capabilities and continued advancing systems such as Next Generation Jammer-Low Band for the U.S. Navy.

Northrop Grumman (NOC - Free Report) : Northrop Grumman develops electronic warfare, sensors and mission systems for U.S. and allied aircraft, supporting efforts to improve survivability and situational awareness in contested environments.

The Zacks Rundown for GDShares of GD have risen 8.8% in the past year against the industry’s 10.8% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company's shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.67X compared with its industry’s average of 2.29X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GD’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GD stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

In the latest trading session, General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) closed at $352.67, marking a -1.1% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.48%. At the same time, the Dow lost 0.77%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.64%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the defense contractor had lost 9.01% was narrower than the Aerospace sector's loss of 11.13% and lagged the S&P 500's loss of 0.97%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of General Dynamics in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $4.14, showcasing a 6.7% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $13.66 billion, reflecting a 5.84% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

GD's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $16.95 per share and revenue of $55.8 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +9.64% and +6.19%, respectively.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for General Dynamics. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.14% higher within the past month. Right now, General Dynamics possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, General Dynamics is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 21.04. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 23.08.

One should further note that GD currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.06. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Aerospace - Defense industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.65.

The Aerospace - Defense industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 95, putting it in the top 39% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

California State Teachers Retirement System raised its stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report) by 35,603.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 126,417,629 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after purchasing an additional 126,063,548 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned 46.72% of General Dynamics worth $44,782,181,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of GD. Oxford Financial Group LTD. LLC lifted its position in General Dynamics by 1.9% in the second quarter. Oxford Financial Group LTD. LLC now owns 1,426 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $505,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Willner & Heller LLC lifted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Willner & Heller LLC now owns 2,050 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $726,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Meriwether Wealth & Planning LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Meriwether Wealth & Planning LLC now owns 3,443 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,220,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK boosted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 4,551 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,612,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Klingman & Associates LLC grew its holdings in General Dynamics by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 949 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $326,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes GD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on General Dynamics from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. BNP Paribas Exane raised their price target on General Dynamics from $390.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and set a $384.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered General Dynamics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $410.89.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on General Dynamics General Dynamics Stock Performance Shares of GD stock opened at $359.54 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $97.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. General Dynamics Corporation has a 52-week low of $306.77 and a 52-week high of $400.00. The company’s 50 day moving average is $378.48 and its 200 day moving average is $357.36.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.96 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $14.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.52 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 17.43% and a net margin of 8.18%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.74 EPS. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 16.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a $1.59 dividend. This represents a $6.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. General Dynamics’s payout ratio is currently 38.80%.

Insider Activity In related news, CEO Phebe Novakovic sold 51,568 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $382.58, for a total transaction of $19,728,885.44. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 766,457 shares in the company, valued at $293,231,119.06. The trade was a 6.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Mark Malcolm sold 5,480 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $365.00, for a total value of $2,000,200.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,643 shares in the company, valued at $3,884,695. This represents a 33.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 100,228 shares of company stock worth $38,052,853. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

General Dynamics Profile (Free Report)

General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.

Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics AI Token Costs Are Changing the Hardware vs. Software Debate 3 ETFs That Could Move as Rate Expectations Shift 3 Stocks With September Catalysts Investors Shouldn’t Ignore Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Stock Falls on Weak Comps Despite Margin Gains Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Investors interested in stocks from the Aerospace - Defense sector have probably already heard of General Dynamics (GD) and Howmet (HWM). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors?

In the latest trading session, General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) closed at $371.35, marking a -2.1% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.33%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.7%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.12%.

The stock of defense contractor has fallen by 1.07% in the past month, leading the Aerospace sector's loss of 6.28% and undershooting the S&P 500's gain of 3.87%.

The upcoming earnings release of General Dynamics will be of great interest to investors. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $4.13, signifying a 6.44% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $13.63 billion, up 5.58% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $16.88 per share and a revenue of $55.73 billion, indicating changes of +9.18% and +6.06%, respectively, from the former year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for General Dynamics. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.7% higher. Right now, General Dynamics possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

From a valuation perspective, General Dynamics is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 22.48. This signifies no noticeable deviation in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 22.48 for its industry.

It's also important to note that GD currently trades at a PEG ratio of 2.2. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. GD's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.6 as of yesterday's close.

The Aerospace - Defense industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 150, finds itself in the bottom 40% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 0.6% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is General Dynamics due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

General Dynamics' Q2 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Improve Y/Y

General Dynamics Corporation reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $4.24 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.95 by 7.3%. The bottom line increased 13.4% from $3.74 in the year-ago quarter, reflecting higher operating earnings and lower net interest expense.

Total Revenues of GDRevenues of $14.09 billion surpassed the consensus mark of $13.49 billion by 4.5% and rose 8.1% year over year. Growth across all four segments, led by Aerospace and Marine Systems, supported the top line.

GD’s Segmental PerformanceAerospace revenues increased 15.1% year over year to $3.53 billion. Operating earnings surged 26.6% to $510 million. The operating margin expanded 130 basis points to 14.5%.

Marine Systems revenues advanced 10.4% to $4.66 billion. Operating earnings increased 17.5% to $342 million. The segment’s operating margin improved 40 basis points to 7.3%.

Combat Systems revenues were $2.29 billion, up 0.3% from the prior-year quarter. However, operating earnings declined 1.9% to $318 million, while the operating margin contracted 30 basis points to 13.9%.

Technologies revenues increased 4.1% year over year to $3.62 billion. Operating earnings improved 2.1% to $339 million. The operating margin declined 20 basis points to 9.4%.

Operational Highlights of GDOperating earnings totaled $1.46 billion, up 11.9% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.31 billion.

Operating costs and expenses increased 7.7% year over year to $12.63 billion.

Interest expenses decreased 44.3% year over year to $49 million.

GD’s BacklogGeneral Dynamics ended the quarter with a backlog of $136.5 billion. In addition, its estimated potential contract value from unfunded IDIQ contracts and unexercised options was $50.4 billion, bringing its total estimated contract value to $186.9 billion.

Financial Condition of GDAs of July 5, 2026, cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.33 billion compared with $2.33 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.

The long-term debt as of the same date was $6.26 billion compared with the 2025-end debt level of $7.01 billion.

During the first six months of 2026, cash generated by operating activities totaled $4.04 billion compared with $1.45 billion in the year-ago period.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates revision.

VGM ScoresCurrently, General Dynamics has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, General Dynamics has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerGeneral Dynamics belongs to the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry. Another stock from the same industry, Northrop Grumman (NOC - Free Report) , has gained 1.9% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended June 2026.

Northrop Grumman reported revenues of $10.88 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5.1%. EPS of $7.68 for the same period compares with $7.11 a year ago.

Northrop Grumman is expected to post earnings of $7.26 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -5.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.

Northrop Grumman has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of B.

Biondo Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 25,075 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,883,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in GD. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in General Dynamics by 1,725.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 73 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 79.6% during the 1st quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 88 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Paladin Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of General Dynamics during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its stake in General Dynamics by 220.7% in the fourth quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 93 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on GD shares. UBS Group increased their target price on General Dynamics from $366.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. DA Davidson decreased their price objective on General Dynamics from $384.00 to $375.00 in a report on Thursday, April 30th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on General Dynamics from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $420.00 to $455.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $385.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, General Dynamics presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $410.89.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on General Dynamics Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 43,180 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.04, for a total value of $16,323,767.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 44,767 shares in the company, valued at $16,923,716.68. The trade was a 49.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark Malcolm sold 5,480 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $365.00, for a total value of $2,000,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 10,643 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,884,695. This represents a 33.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 100,228 shares of company stock valued at $38,052,853. Company insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

General Dynamics Price Performance Shares of GD opened at $384.50 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $104.03 billion, a PE ratio of 23.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.32. General Dynamics Corporation has a 1-year low of $306.77 and a 1-year high of $400.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $374.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $355.88.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.96 by $0.28. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 17.43%. The firm had revenue of $14.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.52 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.74 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 16.97 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Friday, October 9th will be paid a dividend of $1.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $6.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. General Dynamics’s payout ratio is 38.80%.

General Dynamics Profile (Free Report)

General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defense contractor that designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of products and services for government and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in the United States (Reston, Virginia), the company supplies platforms and systems used by armed forces, civil authorities and private operators across multiple domains including air, land, sea and cyber.

Its principal activities span several operating businesses: a business aviation unit that develops and supports Gulfstream business jets; land systems that produce armored combat vehicles and related logistics and sustainment services; marine systems that design and construct submarines and surface ships for navies; and mission systems and information technology operations that provide command-and-control, communications, cybersecurity and systems-integration services.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than General Dynamics VIG, VYM, and VYMI: Which Vanguard Dividend ETF Is Right for You? 3 Closed-End Funds to Maximize Dividend Payments Rocket Lab’s Sell-Off Is Fading—Is It Finally Safe to Buy? $27 Billion in Buybacks: 3 Stocks Betting Their Strong Runs Aren’t Over Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) Headquartered in Falls Church, VA, General Dynamics Corporation engages in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. The company was incorporated in February 1952.

GD is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. GD has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 9.2% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2026, seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.30 to $16.88 per share. GD boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, GD should be on investors' short list.