Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
GD vs NOC
General Dynamics Corp. versus Northrop Grumman Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
GD wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NOC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
GD wins this comparison 2–1 across 6 dimensions. GD yields 1.68% — lower than NOC's 1.71% — and carries a 9.3/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 8.8/10 for NOC (Strong). GD wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NOC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, GD scores 9.3/10 (Strong) vs 8.8/10 (Strong) for NOC — GD has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals. On yield, NOC's 1.71% vs 1.68% represents a $30 annual income gap on $100,000 invested.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | GD | NOC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.68% | 1.71% | Tie |
| Dividend safety | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 | GD wins |
| Growth trend | -0.35% vs 5y | +0.17% vs 5y | GD wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.33 | -0.11 | NOC wins |
| Scale | $102.6B | $76.8B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 1 wins | GD wins |
Dimension by dimension
GD and NOC have nearly identical yields (1.68% vs 1.71%)
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
GD wins on safety (9.3/10 vs 8.8/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. GD scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
GD (9.3/10) scores 0.5 points higher than NOC (8.8/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
GD shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
GD's yield is 0.35% below its 5y average, versus 0.17% for NOC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
NOC is less volatile (beta -0.11 vs 0.33)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
Comparable scale ($102.6B vs $76.8B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, GD or NOC?
GD wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NOC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
GD vs NOC: which has a higher dividend yield?
GD yields 1.68% and NOC yields 1.71%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Is GD or NOC a safer dividend in 2026?
GD scores 9.3/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. NOC scores 8.8/10 (Strong). GD is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, GD or NOC?
GD's yield is 0.35% below its 5y average, versus 0.17% for NOC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
GD vs NOC: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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