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GD vs NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? General Dynamics (GD) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both GD and NOC are major U.S. defense contractors benefiting from sustained government spending on aerospace, marine systems, and advanced technologies.
- General Dynamics (GD) has shown stronger recent revenue growth near 10% year-over-year in recent quarters, supported by broad segment performance and a robust backlog.
- Northrop Grumman (NOC) maintains significant exposure to high-priority defense programs but has faced comparatively more variable sentiment in recent market activity.
- Valuation metrics indicate GD trades at a relatively lower forward price-to-earnings multiple than NOC, offering a potential contrast in entry points.
- Recent performance data shows GD with positive year-to-date returns around 9-11% and one-year gains near 24-25% amid broader market conditions.
- Both stocks exhibit low beta characteristics typical of the defense sector, providing relative stability but remaining sensitive to contract timing and budget developments.
Introduction
General Dynamics (GD) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) represent two leading players in the U.S. defense industry, with overlapping yet distinct exposures to aerospace, marine systems, and advanced electronics. Investors and traders focused on the defense sector often compare these names to assess relative positioning amid government budget cycles, contract awards, and macroeconomic influences. This analysis examines recent stock behavior, business fundamentals, and market sentiment to provide a balanced view for those evaluating portfolio allocations or short-term trading opportunities in these equities.
GD Overview and Recent Performance
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) operates across aerospace, combat systems, marine systems, and information technology segments, serving both government and commercial customers. In recent market activity, the stock has demonstrated resilience with year-to-date returns of approximately 9-11% and one-year gains near 24-25% as of mid-July 2026. Recent quarterly results highlighted revenue growth exceeding 10% year-over-year, driven by strength across all segments and a book-to-bill ratio supporting backlog expansion. Sentiment has been influenced by consistent earnings delivery and defense spending trends, contributing to steady price appreciation in recent weeks despite broader market fluctuations.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) focuses on aeronautics, defense systems, mission systems, and space systems, with a heavy emphasis on advanced technology and government contracts. The company maintains a substantial backlog tied to long-term programs. In recent market activity, performance has reflected sector dynamics with more variable price movements compared to peers. Valuation metrics place NOC at a higher forward price-to-earnings level, while growth has been supported by ongoing defense priorities. Sentiment in recent weeks has responded to contract developments and broader industry rotation, resulting in more measured momentum relative to the sector average.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
General Dynamics (GD) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) share defense-sector exposure yet differ in business mix and recent dynamics. GD benefits from a broader commercial aerospace component alongside marine and combat systems, contributing to higher quarterly revenue growth rates near 10% versus NOC’s more modest figures. Both maintain substantial government contract backlogs, but GD has demonstrated greater consistency in recent price trends and margin expansion. Risk factors include program execution delays and budget uncertainties for both, though NOC has faced additional near-term sentiment headwinds from guidance perceptions and sector rotation. Valuation comparisons show GD trading at a comparatively lower forward price-to-earnings multiple, presenting a potential trade-off between growth visibility and entry valuation.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, revenue momentum, and backlog resilience amid recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI currently assigns a higher probability of relative outperformance to General Dynamics (GD) over Northrop Grumman (NOC). This assessment reflects GD’s stronger positioning ahead of its earnings release and diversified growth drivers, while acknowledging that both equities operate in a favorable long-term defense environment. Market conditions can shift rapidly, and outcomes remain subject to earnings results and broader economic developments.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is GD is a StrongBuy and NOC is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
GD’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileNOC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- GD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- NOC’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
GD’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NOC’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- GD’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
GD (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +4.93% price change this week, while NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +3.96% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -0.19%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.76%, and the average quarterly price growth was -10.50%.
Reported Earning Dates
GD is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-0.19% weekly)Aerospace & Defense is one of largest industries in the U.S., mainly comprising the following areas: commercial airliners, military aircraft, missiles, space, and general aviation. Focused heavily on research & development, it is also one of the fastest growing industries. Military aircraft has the largest market share in the industry’s sales, followed by space systems, civil aircraft, and missiles. Aerospace exports, directly and indirectly, support more jobs than the export of any other commodity, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company are some of the most prominent players in this space.
| GD | NOC | GD / NOC | |
| Capitalization | 105B | 77B | 136% |
| EBITDA | 6.59B | 7.7B | 86% |
| Gain YTD | 16.394 | -4.181 | -392% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.34 | 17.24 | 141% |
| Revenue | 53.8B | 42.4B | 127% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 2.09B | - |
| Total Debt | 9.83B | 16.3B | 60% |
GD | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 36 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 52 Fair valued | 54 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 9 | 59 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 49 | 34 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 17 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 69 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
GD's Valuation (52) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (54). This means that GD’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
GD's Profit vs Risk Rating (9) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (59). This means that GD’s stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's SMR Rating (34) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as GD (49). This means that NOC’s stock grew similarly to GD’s over the last 12 months.
GD's Price Growth Rating (17) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (59). This means that GD’s stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s over the last 12 months.
GD's P/E Growth Rating (34) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (69). This means that GD’s stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s over the last 12 months.
| GD | NOC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 57% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 36% | 10 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 36% | 2 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 42% |
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GD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GD has been loosely correlated with LHX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if GD jumps, then LHX could also see price increases.
NOC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOC has been loosely correlated with LHX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 66% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NOC jumps, then LHX could also see price increases.