On the stock market since 1978, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 117,000 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Revenue is spread across several lines; no single product carries the company.
Average growth of 8% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $7.5B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
No real weak spot in any of the five subjects — a balanced report card.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 10% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 7 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 104 buys and 81 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
As the slice kept from each sale thins out, so does the profit.
On our five-subject report card, GD sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: GD is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate here isn’t the price — it’s whether the company can keep up this pace.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.