General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) Given New $480.00 Price Target at Morgan Stanley

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) had its price target increased by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $465.00 to $480.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the aerospace company’s stock. Morgan Stanley‘s price target indicates a potential upside of 27.94% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Susquehanna raised their price objective on General Dynamics from $420.00 to $455.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on General Dynamics from $420.00 to $380.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $455.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Monday. Bank of America lifted their price objective on General Dynamics from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on General Dynamics from $365.00 to $386.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Dynamics has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $408.94.

General Dynamics Trading Up 0.5%

NYSE:GD traded up $1.71 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $375.17. The stock had a trading volume of 443,522 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,293,375. General Dynamics has a one year low of $306.77 and a one year 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 company has a market cap of $101.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.33. The business’s 50 day moving average is $351.22 and its 200-day moving average is $355.11.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $4.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.12 by $0.37. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 17.43%. The company had revenue of $14.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.72 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.88 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that General Dynamics will post 16.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other General Dynamics news, Director Robert K. Steel sold 7,440 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.05, for a total transaction of $2,574,612.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,096 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,071,370.80. The trade was a 70.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Dynamics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its position in General Dynamics by 1,725.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 73 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Wellington Altus USA Inc. increased its position in shares of General Dynamics by 77.8% during the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Downshift Financial LLC increased its position in shares of General Dynamics by 134.3% during the 3rd quarter. Downshift Financial LLC now owns 82 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC raised its holdings in General Dynamics by 182.8% during the 3rd quarter. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC now owns 82 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the period. Finally, Paladin Partners LLC purchased a new stake in General Dynamics during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

General Dynamics News Roundup

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

About General Dynamics

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.