General Dynamics Corporation (GD)

Over the past six months, General Dynamics' stock has increased by 14.29% as of October 3, 2025. Key events impacting the stock include strong Q1 and Q2 2025 earnings, analyst upgrades with price target increases, and significant contract awards such as the $642 million contract for Virginia-class submarine design and development and the $1.25 billion task order for enterprise IT support to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Demand for General Dynamics' products and services is largely driven by government defense spending and the aerospace market. Defense segments experience stable, long-term demand due to multi-year government contracts, while the aerospace segment is more susceptible to economic cycles. The company benefits from a strong order backlog, indicating sustainable financial growth and consistent demand.

General Dynamics Corporation is a global aerospace and defense company based in Reston, Virginia, specializing in aeronautical, space, naval, and defense systems. The company operates in four segments: Aerospace, which produces Gulfstream business jets and related services; Marine Systems, which designs and builds ships including nuclear-powered submarines; Combat Systems, responsible for armored combat vehicles and weapons systems; and Technologies, providing information systems and technologies for government markets.

General Dynamics has a significant global presence, operating in over 70 countries. The majority of its net sales (83.3%) are generated in the United States. Other key regions include Europe (6.6%), Africa and the Middle East (3.5%), Asia/Pacific (3.3%), North America excluding the U.S. (2.7%), and Latin America (0.6%). Jet Aviation has 26 airport facilities across Europe.

General Dynamics maintains a strong brand reputation as a leading global aerospace and defense company, known for its advanced military equipment and business jets. Its consistent financial performance and strong operational execution contribute to its positive standing. Long-standing contracts with the U.S. government and recent contract awards solidify its reputation as a trusted partner in defense and technology.

General Dynamics is primarily owned by institutional shareholders, holding between 71.97% and 85.88% of the company's shares. Retail investors own approximately 9.41% to 29.42%, and insiders hold about 0.59% to 5.34%. Major institutional owners include Longview Asset Management, Vanguard Group Inc., and BlackRock, Inc. The largest individual shareholder is Charles H. Goodman, owning 8.17 million shares, representing 3.04% of the company.