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GD vs. ITA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GD vs. ITA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GD (General Dynamics Corporation) is a stock, while ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. Over the past 10 years, GD returned 12.38%/yr vs 15.34%/yr for ITA. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GD vs. ITA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in General Dynamics Corporation (GD) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GD achieves a 7.93% return, which is significantly lower than ITA's 8.97% return. Over the past 10 years, GD has underperformed ITA with an annualized return of 12.38%, while ITA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.34% annualized return.

GD

1D
0.38%
1M
7.69%
YTD
7.93%
6M
7.67%
1Y
29.63%
3Y*
21.44%
5Y*
15.92%
10Y*
12.38%

ITA

1D
-0.95%
1M
4.16%
YTD
8.97%
6M
11.71%
1Y
30.42%
3Y*
27.30%
5Y*
16.86%
10Y*
15.34%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GD vs. ITA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GD
General Dynamics Corporation		7.93%30.39%3.52%7.13%21.69%43.77%-13.14%14.80%-21.34%19.85%
ITA
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF		8.97%48.64%15.81%14.33%9.96%9.39%-13.57%30.51%-7.22%35.24%

Correlation

The correlation between GD and ITA is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.61

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.61

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.68

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.72

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006

0.75

The correlation between GD and ITA shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (3 years) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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General Dynamics Corporation

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF

Often compared with GD:
GD vs. GMGD vs. XARGD vs. ^GSPCGD vs. ADSKGD vs. FGD vs. XLUGD vs. SCHD
Often compared with ITA:
ITA vs. XARITA vs. PPAITA vs. SHLDITA vs. ARKXITA vs. VOOITA vs. FSDAXITA vs. DFEN

Return for Risk

GD vs. ITA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GD
GD Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
GD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GD Sortino Ratio Rank: 8282
Sortino Ratio Rank
GD Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
GD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
GD Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
ITA
ITA Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 4343
Omega Ratio Rank
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4545
Calmar Ratio Rank
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GD vs. ITA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for General Dynamics Corporation (GD) and iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

GDITADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.44
1.43

+0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.31
2.11

+0.21

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.25

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.15

1.97

+0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.36

5.20

+2.16

GD vs. ITA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GD Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the ITA Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GD and ITA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

GD vs. ITA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GD drawdown since its inception was -75.67%, which is greater than ITA's maximum drawdown of -59.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GD and ITA.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDITADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-75.67%

-59.72%

-15.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.53%

-15.82%

+1.29%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.55%

-15.82%

-6.73%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.55%

-18.72%

-3.83%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-51.63%

-51.00%

-0.63%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.49%

-6.64%

+5.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.60%

-9.45%

-6.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.23%

5.97%

-1.74%

Volatility

GD vs. ITA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is 7.70%, while iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has a volatility of 9.07%. This indicates that GD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

GDITADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.70%

9.07%

-1.37%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.78%

18.47%

-0.69%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.67%

21.74%

-0.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.54%

20.21%

+0.33%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.76%

23.22%

-0.46%

Dividends

GD vs. ITA - Dividend Comparison

GD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, more than ITA's 0.46% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
GD
General Dynamics Corporation		1.69%1.76%2.12%2.01%2.00%2.24%2.90%2.26%2.31%1.61%1.72%1.96%
ITA
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF		0.46%0.55%0.85%0.93%0.95%0.82%1.07%1.54%1.13%0.91%1.07%1.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

GD and ITA have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ITA has higher volatility (9.07%) compared to GD (7.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GD dropped -75.67% vs ITA's -59.72%.

GD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.43), 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.

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