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General Dynamics (GD) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates

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General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) reported $11.67 billion in revenue for the quarter ended December 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 7.5%. EPS of $3.64 for the same period compares to $3.58 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.54 billion, representing a surprise of +1.09%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -0.55%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $3.66.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how General Dynamics performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

  • Gulfstream Aircraft Deliveries - Total: 39 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 43.
  • Gulfstream Aircraft Deliveries - Mid-cabin aircraft: 7 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 8.
  • Gulfstream Aircraft Deliveries - Large-cabin aircraft: 32 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 35.
  • Revenue- Technologies: $3.15 billion compared to the $3.15 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of -3.1% year over year.
  • Revenue- Marine Systems: $3.41 billion versus $2.98 billion estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +14.8% change.
  • Revenue- Combat Systems: $2.36 billion versus $2.19 billion estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +8.5% change.
  • Revenue- Aerospace: $2.74 billion compared to the $3.20 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +12% year over year.
  • Operating earnings- Aerospace: $449 million versus $502.21 million estimated by four analysts on average.
  • Operating earnings- Combat Systems: $351 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $319.02 million.
  • Operating earnings- Technologies: $305 million compared to the $314.49 million average estimate based on four analysts.
  • Operating earnings- Marine Systems: $217 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $233.10 million.
  • Operating earnings- Corporate: -$34 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of -$26.88 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for General Dynamics here>>>

Shares of General Dynamics have returned -2.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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