General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Sanford C. Bernstein Analyst Says

Key Points

• Sanford C. Bernstein raised General Dynamics’ price target to $386 from $365, while maintaining a “market perform” rating; the new target implies about 2.42% upside.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive but measured: General Dynamics has an average “Moderate Buy” rating and a consensus price target of $408.11, with targets ranging as high as $455.
• The company reported strong quarterly results, with revenue up 12.9% year over year to $14.57 billion and EPS of $4.49 exceeding expectations, though analysts continue to cite valuation and execution risks in converting its record backlog into profitable deliveries.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by Sanford C. Bernstein from $365.00 to $386.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a "market perform" rating on the aerospace company's stock. Sanford C. Bernstein's target price points to a potential upside of 2.42% from the stock's current price.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $374.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "hold" rating and issued a $384.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $455.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Monday. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Dynamics has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $408.11.

General Dynamics Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:GD traded up $3.43 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $376.89. The company's stock had a trading volume of 353,553 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,292,719. General Dynamics has a fifty-two week low of $306.77 and a fifty-two week high of $400.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.44. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $351.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $355.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.19, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.33.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $4.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.12 by $0.37. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 17.43% and a net margin of 8.18%. The business had revenue of $14.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.88 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that General Dynamics will post 16.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics

In related news, Director Robert K. Steel sold 7,440 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.05, for a total value of $2,574,612.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 3,096 shares in the company, valued at $1,071,370.80. This trade represents a 70.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec lifted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 454.0% in the 2nd quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 180,917 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $64,088,000 after purchasing an additional 148,262 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in General Dynamics in the second quarter worth $21,368,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in General Dynamics during the second quarter valued at $30,781,000. Professional Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in General Dynamics by 4.0% during the second quarter. Professional Advisory Services Inc. now owns 67,028 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $23,744,000 after buying an additional 2,562 shares during the period. Finally, FSA Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,254,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.14% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting General Dynamics

Here are the key news stories impacting General Dynamics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Raised 2026 guidance: General Dynamics now expects fiscal 2026 earnings per share of $17.20–$17.30, above the $17.00 consensus, and revenue of $56.5–$56.8 billion versus expectations of $55.9 billion. General Dynamics updated fiscal 2026 guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Record backlog supports long-term growth: Backlog reached approximately $220.3 billion—nearly double prior levels—helped by nuclear-submarine awards and strong defense demand. The backlog provides substantial future revenue visibility across Marine Systems, Aerospace, Combat Systems and Technologies. General Dynamics nuclear submarine awards drive backlog
• Positive Sentiment: Strong quarterly performance: Third-quarter revenue rose 12.9% year over year to $14.57 billion, while EPS of $4.49 exceeded the $4.12 consensus. Broad-based growth, productivity improvements and robust orders reinforced the company’s growth outlook. General Dynamics Q3 backlog and segment growth
• Positive Sentiment: Additional defense contract: General Dynamics Mission Systems received a contract modification to advance the MEDUSA program, adding to evidence of continued government demand. MEDUSA contract modification
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher analyst targets, but no bullish rating shift: Citigroup and RBC raised their price targets to $400, while retaining neutral or sector-perform ratings.
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and valuation risks remain: Analysts highlighted the challenge of converting the huge backlog into profitable deliveries, particularly in shipbuilding. BTIG maintained a Hold rating, while commentary also flagged the stock’s valuation and potential execution risk as a “catch.” General Dynamics execution risks

General Dynamics Company Profile

General Dynamics Corporation NYSE: GD is a global aerospace and defense company that develops, manufactures and supports products and services for government and commercial customers. Its operations serve the U.S. government, allied nations and other customers worldwide, with a significant focus on national security, military modernization and mission support.

The company operates through four primary business areas. Aerospace provides Gulfstream business jets and related aircraft services through Gulfstream Aerospace, as well as aircraft management, charter, maintenance and completions services through Jet Aviation.

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