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GD or LMT or RTX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? General Dynamics (GD) vs. Lockheed Martin (LMT) vs. RTX Corporation (RTX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- GD (General Dynamics) pairs defense programs with a commercial Gulfstream business-jet unit, giving it a diversified revenue base and strong cash conversion.
- LMT (Lockheed Martin) is the largest pure-play defense prime, with a record backlog driven by surging demand for missiles and air-defense interceptors.
- RTX (RTX Corporation) blends commercial aerospace with defense across Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, holding the largest backlog of the three.
- All three names pulled back from their highs in recent weeks as signs of possible conflict de-escalation trimmed a geopolitical premium.
- LMT trades at the lowest forward valuation of the group, while RTX carries the highest multiple and the most commercial-aviation exposure.
Introduction
General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corporation are three of the largest and most closely watched aerospace and defense companies in the world, and each approaches the same macro environment from a different angle. This stock comparison is relevant to investors and traders weighing relative performance, market positioning, and risk exposure across the sector, from pure-play defense specialists to more diversified industrial platforms. Because the three names respond differently to shifts in defense budgets, commercial-aircraft demand, and geopolitical sentiment, comparing them side by side can clarify which business model, valuation profile, and momentum signature best fits a given market view.
GD Overview and Recent Performance
General Dynamics operates through four segments: Aerospace (which builds Gulfstream business jets), Marine Systems (nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships), Combat Systems, and Technologies. This structure spreads revenue across government and commercial customers. In recent quarters, the company posted broad-based top-line growth, with Marine Systems and munitions work supported by elevated demand for naval shipbuilding. Order activity has been robust, and the company's total estimated contract value has expanded meaningfully, improving revenue visibility. Sentiment in recent weeks has been mixed, however: shares advanced strongly earlier in the year and traded near 52-week highs, before easing alongside the broader defense complex as investors reassessed geopolitical risk premiums. The company's strong cash generation and comparatively modest valuation continue to frame its investment profile.
LMT Overview and Recent Performance
Lockheed Martin is the largest defense contractor by revenue, with franchises spanning the F-35 fighter, missile defense, rotary systems, and space. Its Missiles and Fire Control unit has been a particular growth engine, benefiting from production ramps across the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3) interceptor, THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, and PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) programs. The company has converted this demand into long-duration awards, lifting its backlog to record levels and prompting management to raise full-year sales and earnings guidance. On a relative basis, LMT has outperformed the aerospace-defense industry over recent months, though it also pulled back from an early-year peak. At roughly 17 to 18 times forward earnings, it trades at a discount to the broader sector, a dynamic some analysts attribute to lingering program-execution risks on fixed-price contracts.
RTX Overview and Recent Performance
RTX Corporation operates three businesses: Collins Aerospace (avionics and aircraft systems), Pratt & Whitney (commercial and military jet engines), and Raytheon (missiles, munitions, and radar). This combination gives RTX substantial exposure to both the commercial-aviation recovery and defense restocking. Recent results showed double-digit organic sales growth, driven by strong commercial aftermarket demand and elevated defense bookings; the company raised its full-year sales, earnings, and free-cash-flow outlook and reported a record backlog. Despite that operational strength, shares traded down from their high in recent weeks. Contributing factors included management's disclosure of tariff-related cost headwinds and a softening of the geopolitical premium as markets considered the possibility of reduced conflict intensity. RTX's higher valuation multiple and greater commercial-aviation sensitivity distinguish it from its two peers.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
While all three companies share exposure to defense spending, their growth drivers differ materially. LMT is the most concentrated on high-volume munitions and air-defense interceptors, where demand has accelerated most visibly. RTX offers the broadest diversification, but that balance cuts both ways: commercial aerospace adds a secular growth runway tied to air travel and engine maintenance, yet also introduces sensitivity to tariffs and airline fleet decisions. GD sits between the two, blending steady defense programs with a cyclical but cash-generative business-jet franchise.
On valuation, LMT is the cheapest on a forward price-to-earnings basis, RTX the most expensive, and GD in the middle. Risk profiles also diverge: LMT faces fixed-price program-execution and pension-related items, RTX carries the largest commercial exposure and tariff headwinds, and GD must sustain shipyard productivity while scaling submarine capacity. In terms of market sentiment, all three experienced a recent cooling after strong runs, reflecting sector-wide repricing rather than company-specific deterioration.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely view LMT as the most consistent relative performer of the three at present. Its combination of record backlog, accelerating missile and interceptor demand, and a below-peer forward valuation offers a comparatively favorable mix of visibility and stability. GD presents a balanced alternative supported by strong cash flow and diversified demand, while RTX carries the strongest top-line momentum but also the greatest sensitivity to commercial-aviation and tariff dynamics. As with any probabilistic assessment, this verdict reflects trend consistency and relative positioning rather than a guaranteed outcome, and conditions can shift with changes in defense budgets, geopolitical developments, and commercial-aircraft demand.
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.
GD | LMT | RTX | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 73 | 70 | 77 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 49 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | 59 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 19 | 45 | 14 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 50 | 15 | 64 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 58 | 58 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 77 | 47 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 | 75 |
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 (49) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as RTX (59) in the null industry, and is in the same range as LMT (60) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that GD's stock grew similarly to RTX’s and similarly to LMT’s over the last 12 months.
RTX's Profit vs Risk Rating (14) in the null industry is in the same range as GD (19) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is in the same range as LMT (45) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that RTX's stock grew similarly to GD’s and similarly to LMT’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's SMR Rating (15) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for GD (50) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for RTX (64) in the null industry. This means that LMT's stock grew somewhat faster than GD’s and somewhat faster than RTX’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as RTX (58) in the null industry, and is in the same range as GD (60) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that LMT's stock grew similarly to RTX’s and similarly to GD’s over the last 12 months.
RTX's P/E Growth Rating (47) in the null industry is in the same range as GD (48) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is in the same range as LMT (77) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that RTX's stock grew similarly to GD’s and similarly to LMT’s over the last 12 months.
| GD | LMT | RTX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 49% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 43% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 42% | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 45% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 22 days ago 44% | 1 day ago 58% | 17 days ago 66% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 37% | 6 days ago 53% | 1 day ago 44% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | N/A | 1 day ago 81% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 34% | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 36% |
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 overvalued. 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 1 FA rating(s) are green while LMT’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and RTX’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- GD’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LMT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- RTX’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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LMT’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s), and RTX’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- GD’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LMT’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
- RTX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
GD (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -0.30% price change this week, while LMT (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -0.41% , and RTX (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -1.95% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -1.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was -11.57%.
Reported Earning Dates
GD is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
LMT is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
RTX is expected to report earnings on Oct 20, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-1.31% 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.
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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 60% 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.
LMT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LMT has been closely correlated with NOC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 70% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LMT jumps, then NOC could also see price increases.
RTX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RTX has been loosely correlated with NOC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if RTX jumps, then NOC could also see price increases.