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GD or KTOS or NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) vs. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- GD maintains a record $118 billion backlog, supporting steady revenue growth projected at 3.6% annually through 2028, with shares up about 3% YTD amid recent market dips.
- KTOS shows explosive growth potential with a $1.57 billion backlog and $13.7 billion pipeline, guiding for 13-19% revenue increase in 2026, though shares have pulled back recently from peaks.
- NOC leads YTD performance at around 18%, backed by a $95.7 billion backlog and mid-single-digit revenue growth outlook for 2026, driven by strong demand in space and missile systems.
- All three benefit from elevated defense budgets, but KTOS offers higher growth in unmanned and hypersonic tech, while GD and NOC provide stability via massive backlogs.
- Recent volatility reflects sector rotation, with KTOS down over 10% in recent weeks versus modest dips for GD and NOC, highlighting relative momentum trade-offs.
Introduction
In the aerospace and defense sector, GD, KTOS, and NOC represent diverse approaches to capitalizing on rising global security demands and U.S. military spending. GD focuses on diversified platforms including submarines and combat vehicles, KTOS specializes in innovative unmanned systems and hypersonics, and NOC excels in advanced aircraft and space technologies. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, backlogs, and market positioning, aiding traders seeking momentum plays and investors prioritizing long-term stability in a sector with robust order pipelines.
GD Overview and Recent Performance
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is a global aerospace and defense contractor operating in aerospace, marine systems, combat systems, and technologies segments. It produces Gulfstream business jets, nuclear submarines, armored vehicles, and IT solutions for national security. In recent market activity, GD shares have traded around $340-$350, reflecting modest YTD gains of about 3% after a 28% annual rise, with a 52-week range of $239-$370. Sentiment has been supported by a record $118 billion backlog, up 30% year-over-year, following Q4 2025 revenue of $14.4 billion (up 7.8%) and EPS of $4.17 beating estimates. A 5.6% dividend hike to $1.50 per share marks 27 consecutive years of increases. Recent Navy contracts, like a $15.4 billion award, bolster visibility, though short-term dips tie to supply chain pressures and broader sector volatility. Outlook includes 2026 revenue of $54.3-$54.8 billion and EPS of $16.10-$16.20.
KTOS Overview and Recent Performance
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) specializes in unmanned aerial systems, hypersonics, satellite communications, and microwave electronics for national security. Operating through Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems segments, it serves the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and allies. Shares have traded around $65-$70 recently, down sharply from a 52-week high near $134 amid a monthly drop of over 20%, despite 118% annual gains and YTD volatility. Performance reflects Q4 2025 revenue of $345 million (up 22%) and EPS of $0.18 beating forecasts, with a record $1.57 billion backlog and $13.7 billion pipeline. Recent wins include a $49 million Naval contract, $7 million Counter-UAS order, and hypersonic testing deals. Guidance signals 2026 revenue of $1.595-$1.675 billion (13-19% organic growth), with acceleration expected as new programs ramp, though equity raises for capacity temper near-term cash flow.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is a leading aerospace and defense technology firm with segments in aeronautics, defense, mission, and space systems, producing B-21 bombers, missiles, and C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, combat, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) solutions. Shares hover near $670-$680, up 18% YTD within a 52-week range of $450-$774, outperforming peers recently. Strength stems from a record $95.7 billion backlog, Q4 2025 revenue up 9.6% to $11.7 billion, and 26% free cash flow growth to $3.3 billion. Key drivers include B-21 acceleration and munitions demand, with 2026 guidance for $43.5-$44 billion revenue (mid-single-digit growth) and $3.1-$3.5 billion free cash flow. Navy contracts like E-130J training enhance positioning, though Sentinel ICBM costs remain a watchpoint amid robust demand.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
GD, KTOS, and NOC operate in the defense sector but differ in scale and focus: GD's diversified model spans marine and combat vehicles for stable cash flows, KTOS targets high-growth niches like drones and hypersonics for rapid expansion, and NOC leverages space and aeronautics for premium programs. Growth drivers contrast with KTOS' 13-19% 2026 revenue outlook versus mid-single digits for NOC and GD. Recent momentum favors NOC (18% YTD) over GD (3%) and volatile KTOS. Risks include execution delays for NOC's Sentinel, supply chains for GD, and funding needs for KTOS. Valuation sensitivity shows KTOS at high multiples reflecting growth, while GD and NOC trade more reasonably. Market sentiment tilts toward backlog-rich stability amid geopolitical tensions.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors KTOS for its superior trend consistency in high-growth areas like unmanned systems, backed by a surging pipeline and double-digit revenue guidance, positioning it ahead in relative performance despite volatility. GD and NOC offer stability via enormous backlogs, but KTOS shows stronger catalysts for outperformance in the current defense upcycle.
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 Limitations
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 whileKTOS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and NOC’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- GD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KTOS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- NOC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KTOS’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s), and NOC’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- GD’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
- KTOS’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 2 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
GD (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +0.34% price change this week, while KTOS (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +0.92% , and NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -1.26% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +2.22%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +11.36%, and the average quarterly price growth was +30.07%.
Reported Earning Dates
GD is expected to report earnings on Apr 29, 2026.
KTOS is expected to report earnings on May 06, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Apr 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (+2.22% 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 | KTOS | NOC | |
| Capitalization | 90B | 13.1B | 93.3B |
| EBITDA | 6.43B | 103M | 7.21B |
| Gain YTD | 0.764 | -6.481 | 15.586 |
| P/E Ratio | 21.50 | 537.15 | 22.59 |
| Revenue | 52.6B | 1.35B | 42B |
| Total Cash | N/A | 561M | 4.4B |
| Total Debt | 9.79B | 146M | 17B |
GD | KTOS | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 15 Undervalued | 94 Overvalued | 63 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 16 | 61 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 48 | 89 | 35 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 63 | 55 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 14 | 42 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | n/a | 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 (15) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (63) and is significantly better than the same rating for KTOS (94). This means that GD's stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s and significantly faster than KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's Profit vs Risk Rating (10) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as GD (16) and is somewhat better than the same rating for KTOS (61). This means that NOC's stock grew similarly to GD’s and somewhat faster than KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's SMR Rating (35) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as GD (48) and is somewhat better than the same rating for KTOS (89). This means that NOC's stock grew similarly to GD’s and somewhat faster than KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's Price Growth Rating (55) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as GD (58) and is in the same range as KTOS (63). This means that NOC's stock grew similarly to GD’s and similarly to KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
KTOS's P/E Growth Rating (14) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (42) and is somewhat better than the same rating for GD (54). This means that KTOS's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and somewhat faster than GD’s over the last 12 months.
| GD | KTOS | NOC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | 4 days ago 82% | 4 days ago 54% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 35% | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 36% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 35% | 4 days ago 87% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 45% | 4 days ago 79% | 4 days ago 42% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 44% | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 32% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 44% | 6 days ago 79% | 19 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 33% | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 43% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 77% | 4 days ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 26% | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 30% |
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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.
KTOS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KTOS has been loosely correlated with KRMN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KTOS jumps, then KRMN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KTOS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTOS | 100% | -4.60% | ||
| KRMN - KTOS | 60% Loosely correlated | -4.93% | ||
| AVAV - KTOS | 59% Loosely correlated | -5.23% | ||
| MRCY - KTOS | 56% Loosely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| DRS - KTOS | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.82% | ||
| HII - KTOS | 52% Loosely correlated | -0.34% | ||
More | ||||
NOC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOC has been loosely correlated with RTX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NOC jumps, then RTX could also see price increases.