GD vs. FAST
GD (General Dynamics Corporation) and FAST (Fastenal Company) are both stocks. Over the past 10 years, GD returned 11.59%/yr vs 18.29%/yr for FAST. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GD vs. FAST - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GD achieves a 2.13% return, which is significantly lower than FAST's 15.88% return. Over the past 10 years, GD has underperformed FAST with an annualized return of 11.59%, while FAST has yielded a comparatively higher 18.29% annualized return.
GD
- 1D
- -1.61%
- 1M
- -1.64%
- YTD
- 2.13%
- 6M
- 2.33%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 19.52%
- 5Y*
- 14.60%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
FAST
- 1D
- -1.69%
- 1M
- 4.14%
- YTD
- 15.88%
- 6M
- 13.97%
- 1Y
- 11.66%
- 3Y*
- 21.78%
- 5Y*
- 14.55%
- 10Y*
- 18.29%
GD vs. FAST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GD General Dynamics Corporation | 2.13% | 30.39% | 3.52% | 7.13% | 21.69% | 43.77% | -13.14% | 14.80% | -21.34% | 19.85% |
FAST Fastenal Company | 15.88% | 13.98% | 13.53% | 41.31% | -24.34% | 34.06% | 36.60% | 45.08% | -1.61% | 19.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between GD and FAST is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.32 |
The correlation between GD and FAST shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
GD:
$93.43B
FAST:
$52.94B
GD:
$15.92
FAST:
$1.13
GD:
21.41
FAST:
40.72
GD:
2.71
FAST:
4.78
GD:
1.73
FAST:
6.27
GD:
3.58
FAST:
13.27
GD:
$53.81B
FAST:
$8.44B
GD:
$7.48B
FAST:
$3.79B
GD:
$6.26B
FAST:
$1.80B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GD vs. FAST — Risk / Return Rank
GD
FAST
GD vs. FAST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for General Dynamics Corporation (GD) and Fastenal Company (FAST). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| GD | FAST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.75 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.10 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.77 | 0.53 | +1.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.11 | 1.07 | +5.05 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GD | FAST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.22 | 0.47 | +0.75 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 | 0.60 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | 0.69 | -0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.57 | 0.53 | +0.04 |
Drawdowns
GD vs. FAST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GD drawdown since its inception was -75.67%, which is greater than FAST's maximum drawdown of -63.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GD and FAST.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GD | FAST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -75.67% | -63.43% | -12.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.53% | -21.90% | +7.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.55% | -21.90% | -0.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.55% | -30.71% | +8.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.63% | -30.71% | -20.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.79% | -7.24% | +0.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.61% | -12.17% | -3.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.19% | 10.94% | -6.75% |
Volatility
GD vs. FAST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is 5.72%, while Fastenal Company (FAST) has a volatility of 6.42%. This indicates that GD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GD | FAST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.72% | 6.42% | -0.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.14% | 19.37% | -2.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.02% | 24.92% | -3.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.40% | 24.31% | -3.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.71% | 26.78% | -4.07% |
Dividends
GD vs. FAST - Dividend Comparison
GD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than FAST's 2.00% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAST Fastenal Company | 2.00% | 2.18% | 2.17% | 2.75% | 2.62% | 1.75% | 2.87% | 2.35% | 2.95% | 2.34% | 2.55% | 2.74% |
GD General Dynamics Corporation | 1.79% | 1.76% | 2.12% | 2.01% | 2.00% | 2.24% | 2.90% | 2.26% | 2.31% | 1.61% | 1.72% | 1.96% |
Financials
GD vs. FAST - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between General Dynamics Corporation and Fastenal Company. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
GD vs. FAST - Profitability Comparison
GD - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Dynamics Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.42B and revenue of 13.48B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.5%.
FAST - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Fastenal Company reported a gross profit of 982.90M and revenue of 2.20B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.6%.
GD - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Dynamics Corporation reported an operating income of 1.42B and revenue of 13.48B, resulting in an operating margin of 10.5%.
FAST - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Fastenal Company reported an operating income of 447.60M and revenue of 2.20B, resulting in an operating margin of 20.3%.
GD - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, General Dynamics Corporation reported a net income of 1.13B and revenue of 13.48B, resulting in a net margin of 8.4%.
FAST - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Fastenal Company reported a net income of 339.80M and revenue of 2.20B, resulting in a net margin of 15.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions
GD and FAST have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAST has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to GD (5.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GD dropped -75.67% vs FAST's -63.43%.
GD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 0.47), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for GD and FAST
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer