General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. The Marine Systems segment designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants, and auxiliary ships for the United States Navy and Jones Act ships for commercial customers, as well as builds crude oil and product tankers, and container and cargo ships; provides maintenance, modernization, and lifecycle support services for navy ships; offers and program management, planning, engineering, and design support services for submarine construction programs. The Combat Systems segment manufactures land combat solutions, such as wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, Stryker wheeled combat vehicles, piranha vehicles, weapons systems, munitions, mobile bridge systems with payloads, tactical vehicles, main battle tanks, armored vehicles, and armaments; and offers modernization programs, engineering, support, and sustainment services. The Technologies segment provides information technology solutions and mission support services; mobile communication, computers, and command-and-control mission systems; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions to military, intelligence, and federal civilian customers; cloud computing, artificial intelligence; machine learning; big data analytics; development, security, and operations; and unmanned undersea vehicle manufacturing and assembly services. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

General Dynamics Corporation

RTX Corporation RTX stock has risen 9.8% in the past month, outperforming both the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry’s growth of 3.7% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector’s gain of 4.5%. It also came above the S&P 500’s return of 0.2% in the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other industry players, such as Huntington Ingalls Industries HII and General Dynamics GD, have also delivered a similar stellar performance in the past month. Shares of HII and GD have risen 15% and 5.9%, respectively, in the said period.
Given RTX’s strong recent performance, some investors may feel inclined to buy the stock quickly. However, it is important to evaluate whether the company’s fundamentals can support sustainable long-term growth or if the recent rally is temporary. A clear understanding of RTX’s growth outlook and associated risks is essential for making a well-informed investment decision.
Tailwinds for RTX
RTX’s share gains over the past month seem to be supported by its notable contract wins, which contributed to investors’ optimism.
In January 2026, RTX secured a $438 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), with the work to be carried out by its Collins Aerospace unit. The contract supports the Radar System Replacement program, which is part of the FAA’s efforts to modernize the U.S. National Airspace System and improve air traffic control infrastructure.
In December 2025, RTX secured a $1.7 billion contract to provide Spain with four Patriot air and missile defense systems. The foreign military sales agreement includes radars, launchers, command and control systems and related training equipment.
In the same month, RTX received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to equip the autonomous X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft with a PhantomStrike radar.
Moreover, RTX secured a $168 million contract to supply Romania with equipment for the Patriot air and missile defense system. The foreign military sales agreement includes a radar, command and control systems, launchers, and related support and test equipment.
For defense contractors like RTX, a steady flow of contract wins from the Pentagon and U.S. allies for its combat-proven defense products, such as the most recent awards, serves as a major growth catalyst.
Estimates for RTX’s 2026 Sales and Earnings
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX’s 2026 sales implies year-over-year growth of 6.6%. The consensus estimate for its 2026 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 8.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The downward revision in its 2026 earnings over the past 60 days suggests investors’ decreasing confidence in this stock’s earnings generation capabilities.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
RTX’s Valuation
In terms of valuation, RTX’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) is 27.95X, a discount to the industry average of 31.12X. This suggests that investors will be paying a lower price than the company's expected earnings growth compared with its industry average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Huntington and General Dynamics are trading at a discount in comparison with RTX. HII’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings is 21.19X, while GD’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings is 20.66X.
Liquidity Position of RTX
RTX has a current ratio of 1.07. The ratio, being more than one, indicates that RTX possesses sufficient capital to pay off its short-term debt obligations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Risks to Take Note of Before Choosing RTX
U.S. executive orders issued in February 2025 imposed tariffs on imports, leading to retaliatory measures from China, the EU and Canada. These trade tensions could impact global business and affect defense companies like RTX, Huntington and General Dynamics, which have large international exposure.
Should You Buy RTX Stock Now?
Given RTX’s discounted valuation and rising earnings estimates, the stock appears reasonably valued with steady growth potential. However, ongoing global trade uncertainties pose near-term risks that could affect performance. Existing shareholders may consider holding the stock, while new investors might prefer to wait for clearer signs of stability before taking a position.
RTX currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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RTX Outperforms Industry in the Past Month: Should You Buy the Stock?

Key Points
President Trump wants the Navy to build him some battleships -- and name them after him, too.
The first "Trump-class" battleship will be christened USS Defiant and cost $9 billion -- or more.
President Donald Trump is remaking the U.S. Navy, and investors in America's biggest defense stocks may one day thank him for it.
No sooner had the Navy announced, last month, that it would cancel its ill-considered plan to have Italy's Fincantieri build it a fleet of Constellation-class frigates (already overpriced and behind schedule), than the president announced a U.S. defense company, Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII), will build us a new frigate fleet based on a successful design already in use by the U.S. Coast Guard instead. Reports that the National Security Cutter will morph into a frigate design, adding billions of dollars to Huntington's revenue stream, sent the stock sharply higher. By the end of the year, Huntington Ingalls' stock had gained 82%.
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And that may be only the beginning -- because the next ship the president wants built is a battleship.
What's the opposite of "You sunk my battleship"?
Dubbed the Trump class, the new battleships are designed to be "the most lethal surface combatant ever constructed," according to a U.S. Navy press release. The first ship of the class will be christened USS Defiant and number BBG 1 -- indicating it will be battleship in size (that's the "BB"). In contrast to WWII-era battleships that sported multiple 16-inch guns, though, the Defiant will rely primarily on guided missiles (that's the "G") for its armament.
USS Defiant will "triple the size of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer," between 840 and 880 feet in length, displacing more than 35,000 tons, and carrying a crew of up to 850 sailors. It will be fast, traveling at speeds of 30 knots and up. And Defiant will boast "superior firepower, larger missile magazines, and the capability to launch Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles and the Surface Launch Cruise Missile-Nuclear."
Specifications provided by the Navy indicate that the Defiant will carry 12 Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles (a weapon that does not yet exist), as well as an assortment of 128 air defense and cruise missiles housed in MK-41 vertical launching system cells. Secondary armament will include an electromagnetic railgun (which also doesn't yet exist), two high-powered laser cannons, and two 5-inch conventional cannons. Supplementing its defensive capabilities will be four smaller laser cannons, two anti-aircraft missile launchers, four 30mm cannons, and two counter-UAS weapons of unspecified type for defeating drone attacks.
(Trivia: The U.S. Navy appears never to have had a warship named "Defiant" before, but it does have one boat so named in its service today. Numbered YT-804, it's a... tugboat. And considerably less well-armed than the BBG 1.)
Who will build USS Defiant?
Just reviewing the wish list of weapons for Defiant is enough to tell you this will be a big ship -- and offer many opportunities for multiple defense contractors to contribute. Take the railgun, for example. The Navy discontinued research into railguns under the Biden administration in 2021. Up until that happened, though, two contractors, BAE Systems (OTC: BAES.Y) and General Atomics, had taken the lead in experimental work on the system. They'll presumably be tapped to take up the task again for Defiant.
Laser cannon for offense and defense? Everyone who's anyone in defense has produced at least a few prototypes for the Pentagon in the past, from Boeing (NYSE: BA) to Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) to RTX (NYSE: RTX). Laser guns are already in experimental use aboard multiple U.S. warships, moreover, and I expect those efforts to intensify now.
And then there's the really big-ticket item: the hull itself. America's two biggest builders of military warships are Huntington Ingalls and General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Given that Huntington will now be building the frigate fleet, the current Pentagon policy of splitting warship construction contracts roughly 50-50 between them argues in favor of handing Defiant to GD. Or, in the interests of getting more hulls in the water as fast as possible, both companies could be awarded contracts to build multiple BBGs.
The upshot for investors
How much will it cost to build USS Defiant? How long will it take (and how quickly will contractors be able to start booking revenue and profits)?
Military analysts at the venerable Janes publication estimate the first Trump-class battleship will cost as much as [an] aircraft carrier," which suggests a price tag of perhaps $14 billion (which is what the first Ford-class carrier cost). More conservative estimates from think tank CSIS indicate a cost of $9 billion might be closer to the mark if the battleships are built at scale.
Either number could be in the ballpark. Both numbers would be great news for the defense contractors vying for a piece of the Defiant pie. I'd just add one word of warning for defense investors familiar with how these kinds of big-ticket programs tend to go: As CSIS points out, it will take "many years" to design Defiant, and many more to build. The first ship of the class probably won't float before the "early to mid-2030s." Should anything go wrong and costs spin out of control, that'll give the Department of Government Efficiency a lot of time to put USS Defiant in its gun sights -- and sink this program before the first battleship hits the water.
Should you buy stock in Huntington Ingalls Industries right now?
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Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing and RTX. The Motley Fool recommends BAE Systems. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Who Will Build President Trump's New Golden Fleet Battleships?

Key Points
President Trump promised in May to build a Golden Dome missile defense shield over America.
In December, 2,100 contractors were named to work on a contract worth $151 billion.
The news struck like a thunderbolt: 35 years after Ronald Reagan's "Strategic Defense Initiative" (a.k.a. "Star Wars") missile defense system quietly expired with the end of the Cold War, President Trump would revive the concept as a Golden Dome over America. Once complete, said the president, "the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world."
Some pundits loved the idea. Others hated it. No one knew for certain much Golden Dome would cost.
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But now we know.
From $25 billion to $151 billion
When the president first announced Golden Dome in May 2025, we did get an idea of the down payment -- $25 billion would cover the cost of designing "an architecture for this state-of-the-art system." Actually building the thing, though, would cost tens of billions more, with estimates ranging as high as $175 billion.
How long will it take to go from $25 billion to $175 billion? This remains to be seen. But I can tell you one thing: It took barely six months to go from $25 billion to $151 billion! We know this because, on Dec. 2, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a $151 billion contract to something it called the "Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD)."
Agents of SHIELD
What is SHIELD, you ask? According to defense policy consulting firm Summit Strategy, SHIELD is "a major contract vehicle aimed at revolutionizing America's missile defense capabilities through next-generation technologies and innovative approaches." Not a company at all, SHIELD is just a receptacle for the tens of billions of dollars of defense contracts the Trump administration plans to pour into the Golden Dome project.
According to the U.S. Department of War website (Department of War is the working title of the Department of Defense under the current administration), SHIELD will be administered by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, which is logical. And the $151 billion in funds on offer will take the form of a "multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract."
What this usually means is that the number of specific subcontracts awarded, and their value -- and even their subject matter -- will be announced later on, and be funded under the initial umbrella contract that is SHIELD.
There are 2,100 separate companies that will share in this government largesse, with 1,014 awardees selected for the Dec. 2 contract, and another 1,086 picked two weeks later on Dec. 18. According to the DOW website, the initial $151 billion covers only "the first phase of staggered awards" to its defense contractors.
This appears to imply that additional funds will be awarded as Golden Dome takes shape, although it's not clear if such funds will be added during the course of the initial contract, which runs through 2035, or only afterwards.
Who won SHIELD contracts?
Curiously, the Pentagon did not specify which specific companies won awards in either of its contract announcements. Other sources, however, such as government contracts website govconwire.com, confirm that satellite companies, including Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) and Maxar Intelligence, won awards (apparently before Maxar changed its name to Vantor), as did Maxar's other half, the business now known as Lanteris Space Systems -- soon to become part of Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR).
Large defense contractors and more general aerospace specialists also feature prominently among the awardees: Boeing (NYSE: BA), General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), and RTX (NYSE: RTX), for example.
Of particular interest, SpaceX does not appear to have yet been awarded a SHIELD contract (or at least its participation has not yet been made public).
What happens next?
With SHIELD expected to spend the next 10 years funding and building Golden Dome, it's still early innings in this game, and the details of the program remain in flux. Indeed, DOW says it's still "conducting market research and drafting Fair Opportunity Proposal Requests" for its awardees, and it seems no specific task orders have yet been issued.
To be crystal clear, DOW notes that "no funds will be obligated on the base IDIQ award; funds will be obligated at the order level." This means that, even for the companies that we know have won awards, we don't know how much money they've won, or will win, or what work they must do to earn it. All of that remains to be determined.
What we do know is that a veritable torrent of money is en route. And we've got a list of at least some of the stocks that might benefit from it. As for the details... stay tuned.
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Rich Smith has positions in Intuitive Machines. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing and RTX. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Golden Dome Project Begins With a Massive $151 Billion Contract

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (Symbol: PPA) where we have detected an approximate $228.7 million dollar inflow -- that's a 3.3% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 43,640,000 to 45,100,000). Among the largest underlying components of PPA, in trading today Northrop Grumman Corp (Symbol: NOC) is up about 0.5%, General Dynamics Corp (Symbol: GD) is up about 0.5%, and L3Harris Technologies Inc (Symbol: LHX) is higher by about 0.8%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the PPA Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of PPA, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, PPA's low point in its 52 week range is $100.39 per share, with $160.495 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $157.56. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
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Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
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Notable ETF Inflow Detected - PPA, NOC, GD, LHX

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.’s HII business unit, Ingalls Shipbuilding, recently stated that it has delivered the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128) to the U.S. Navy. This marks the second Flight III destroyer handed over by Ingalls shipbuilders.
HII: A Frontline Manufacturer of Guided Missile Destroyers
Naval vessels, including guided missile destroyers, are vital to a nation’s ability to command, control and coordinate maritime operations while safeguarding its coastline. As a cornerstone of global defense, the United States maintains formidable naval strength, with Huntington Ingalls standing out as a leading naval defense contractor.
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding has a long track record of designing, constructing and maintaining amphibious ships, destroyers and cutters for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. The company is also a prominent contractor for surface combatant vessels like Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.
Its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are advanced, multi-mission platforms capable of supporting missions ranging from peacetime operations and crisis response to sea control and power projection in line with U.S. military objectives.
To date, Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy, including the first Flight III vessel, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) and Ted Stevens (DDG 128).
Opportunities for HII and Other Defense Stocks
Rising geopolitical tensions and territorial disputes have prompted nations to strengthen their naval capabilities, driving increased spending on naval warships.
The Fortune Business Insights firm predicts that the global naval vessels and surface combatant market will witness a CAGR of 5.6% between 2025 and 2030. This growth outlook bodes well for HII, which boasts a diverse portfolio of guided missile destroyers.
Other defense companies that are likely to enjoy the perks of the expanding naval vessels and surface combatant market have been discussed below:
General Dynamics Corporation GD: The company’s Marine Systems segment is a premier designer and builder of nuclear-powered submarines and a leading provider of surface combatant and auxiliary ship design and construction for the U.S. Navy.
GD has a long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate of 13.07%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales stands at $51.97 billion, which calls for an increase of 8.9%.
BAE Systems plc BAESY: The company constructed the Type 45 Destroyers for the UK Ministry of Defence. These vessels are primarily designed to deliver advanced air-defense capabilities, safeguarding national, allied and coalition forces from hostile aircraft and missile threats. It also supplies cutting-edge combat systems and radar technologies that significantly enhance the Type 45 Destroyers’ overall warfighting effectiveness.
BAESY boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 14.57%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is pinned at $40.79 billion, which implies a rise of 63.3%.
Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT: The company manufactures Littoral Combat Ships (“LCS”). Its Freedom-variant LCS is a robust and adaptable warship designed to meet the U.S. Navy’s evolving mission requirements. Its speed, robustness and versatility make it an essential asset for critical operations.
LMT has a long-term earnings growth rate of 11.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales stands at $74.44 billion, which calls for an increase of 4.8%.
HII Stock Price Movement
In the past six months, HII shares have rallied 40.4% compared with the industry’s rise of 14.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HII’s Zacks Rank
HII currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Huntington Ingalls Ships Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer to US Navy

In the latest close session, General Dynamics (GD) was up +1.72% at $345.19. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.64% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.47%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.52%.
The defense contractor's stock has dropped by 0.29% in the past month, falling short of the Aerospace sector's gain of 5.12% and the S&P 500's gain of 3%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of General Dynamics in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $4.11, showcasing a 0.96% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $13.72 billion, up 2.88% from the prior-year quarter.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $15.37 per share and a revenue of $51.97 billion, indicating changes of +12.77% and +8.92%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for General Dynamics. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. As of now, General Dynamics holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, General Dynamics is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 22.09. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 22.33 of its industry.
It is also worth noting that GD currently has a PEG ratio of 1.69. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Aerospace - Defense industry held an average PEG ratio of 2.09.
The Aerospace - Defense industry is part of the Aerospace sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 99, this industry ranks in the top 41% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow GD in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
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General Dynamics (GD) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts

Huntington Ingalls (HII) shares soared 4.3% in the last trading session to close at $336.64. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 6.9% gain over the past four weeks.
On Dec. 19, 2025, HII announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding unit was selected by the U.S. Navy to design and build the future small surface combatant ship. The ship will be based on the proven Legend-class national security cutter design developed by Ingalls. This program strengthens HII’s long-term naval shipbuilding portfolio and supports steady workload visibility for its Ingalls Shipbuilding operations. The announcement improved confidence in the market and raised investor demand for the stock.
Huntington Ingalls remains a key industrial employer in Virginia and plays a central role in U.S. naval shipbuilding. It is the only company that designs and builds nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the United States, and more than 70% of the active U.S. Navy fleet is made up of its ships.
This shipbuilder is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.75 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +19.1%. Revenues are expected to be $3.05 billion, up 1.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Earnings and revenue growth expectations certainly give a good sense of the potential strength in a stock, but empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.
For Huntington Ingalls, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised marginally higher over the last 30 days to the current level. And a positive trend in earnings estimate revision usually translates into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on HII going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Huntington Ingalls belongs to the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry. Another stock from the same industry, General Dynamics (GD), closed the last trading session 0.6% higher at $339.36. Over the past month, GD has returned -0.6%.
General Dynamics' consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $4.11. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of -1%. General Dynamics currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
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Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Huntington Ingalls (HII) Moves 4.3% Higher: Will This Strength Last?

Investors in General Dynamics Corp (Symbol: GD) saw new options begin trading today, for the August 2026 expiration. One of the key inputs that goes into the price an option buyer is willing to pay, is the time value, so with 246 days until expiration the newly trading contracts represent a possible opportunity for sellers of puts or calls to achieve a higher premium than would be available for the contracts with a closer expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the GD options chain for the new August 2026 contracts and identified one put and one call contract of particular interest.
The put contract at the $330.00 strike price has a current bid of $15.80. If an investor was to sell-to-open that put contract, they are committing to purchase the stock at $330.00, but will also collect the premium, putting the cost basis of the shares at $314.20 (before broker commissions). To an investor already interested in purchasing shares of GD, that could represent an attractive alternative to paying $338.52/share today.
Because the $330.00 strike represents an approximate 3% discount to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the put contract would expire worthless. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 62%. Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change, publishing a chart of those numbers on our website under the contract detail page for this contract. Should the contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 4.79% return on the cash commitment, or 7.11% annualized — at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost.
Below is a chart showing the trailing twelve month trading history for General Dynamics Corp, and highlighting in green where the $330.00 strike is located relative to that history:
Turning to the calls side of the option chain, the call contract at the $350.00 strike price has a current bid of $18.50. If an investor was to purchase shares of GD stock at the current price level of $338.52/share, and then sell-to-open that call contract as a "covered call," they are committing to sell the stock at $350.00. Considering the call seller will also collect the premium, that would drive a total return (excluding dividends, if any) of 8.86% if the stock gets called away at the August 2026 expiration (before broker commissions). Of course, a lot of upside could potentially be left on the table if GD shares really soar, which is why looking at the trailing twelve month trading history for General Dynamics Corp, as well as studying the business fundamentals becomes important. Below is a chart showing GD's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $350.00 strike highlighted in red:
Considering the fact that the $350.00 strike represents an approximate 3% premium to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the covered call contract would expire worthless, in which case the investor would keep both their shares of stock and the premium collected. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 51%. On our website under the contract detail page for this contract, Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change and publish a chart of those numbers (the trading history of the option contract will also be charted). Should the covered call contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 5.46% boost of extra return to the investor, or 8.11% annualized, which we refer to as the YieldBoost.
The implied volatility in the put contract example is 22%, while the implied volatility in the call contract example is 21%.
Meanwhile, we calculate the actual trailing twelve month volatility (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $338.52) to be 21%. For more put and call options contract ideas worth looking at, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

August 2026 Options Now Available For General Dynamics (GD)

General Dynamics Corp.’s GD business unit, General Dynamics Information Technology (“GDIT”), recently won a $285 million contract to deliver cybersecurity services aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth of Virginia’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Under the contract, GDIT will deploy its Eclipse Defensive Cyber and Everest Zero Trust Digital Accelerators to provide end-to-end cybersecurity services, including vulnerability management, zero-trust solutions and a 24/7 security operations center for the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.
To enhance security across the state’s digital infrastructure, GDIT will use artificial intelligence (AI) to automate security monitoring, integrate advanced cybersecurity tools and improve threat detection capabilities. The company will also support VITA’s post-quantum cryptography initiatives to protect sensitive data from future quantum computing risks, strengthen encryption standards and ensure a secure transition to quantum-resilient systems.
GD’s Proven Capabilities in Providing Cybersecurity Solutions
As defense sectors increasingly prioritize secure data transmission, contractors such as General Dynamics are seeing strong contract momentum, driven by demand for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities.
GDIT’s Everest Zero Trust solution offers a robust framework for secure data sharing and real-time identity and device management while leveraging advanced AI for proactive threat detection and analysis. It enables secure, real-time collaboration across agencies and partners, ensuring sensitive information is exchanged efficiently and safely, even in complex, multi-jurisdictional operations.
Meanwhile, its Eclipse Defensive Cyber solution delivers a comprehensive suite of strategies and technologies for real-time threat detection, advanced incident response and remediation, along with automated threat mitigation and continuous monitoring and reporting.
These capabilities position GDIT well to secure additional contracts similar to the latest award, supported by the expanding defense cybersecurity market, which is expected to drive its future revenue growth.
Growth Trajectory for GD and Other Defense Stocks
The defense cybersecurity market outlook remains strong, supported by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. To this end, per a report by Mordor Intelligence, the defense cybersecurity market is expected to witness a CAGR of 11.87% during 2025-2030.
Such a solid market prediction offers strong growth opportunities to General Dynamics, with its GDIT unit well-positioned to deliver agile and proactive cybersecurity solutions amid the evolving tactics and techniques used by threat actors.
Other defense contractors that are expected to enjoy the perks of the growing defense cybersecurity market are as follows:
Northrop Grumman Corp. NOC: It delivers resilient, end-to-end cyber solutions across all domains, providing a decisive advantage by equipping cyber warfighters with both defensive and offensive capabilities to counter evolving threats. Its offerings include the Cyberdefense Platform for Weapon Systems, which uses advanced AI/ML techniques to detect threats within mission and weapon systems that are currently undetectable by traditional network-based IDS solutions.
NOC has a long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate of 4.19%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is pegged at $41.88 billion, which calls for a jump of 2.1%.
Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT: It remains a leading defense technology provider, delivering comprehensive cyber systems to defense and global security customers. LMT’s MR2 platform supports the U.S. military’s digital transformation by providing real-time insights into workforce training and readiness.
LMT has a long-term earnings growth rate of 11.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is pegged at $74.40 billion, which indicates a rise of 4.7%.
BAE Systems plc BAESY: The company develops a portfolio of advanced cybersecurity technologies. Its offerings include one-way transfer devices, guards and Field Programmable Gate Arrays such as the XTS Diode Solution, which enables secure transfer of streaming data or files between networks.
BAESY boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 14.57%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales is pegged at $40.47 billion, which suggests an increase of 62%.
GD Stock Price Movement
In the past six months, shares of General Dynamics have risen 20.8% compared with the industry’s growth of 10.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
GD’s Zacks Rank
General Dynamics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

General Dynamics Wins a $285M Deal to Provide Cybersecurity Services

Shareholders of General Dynamics Corp (Symbol: GD) looking to boost their income beyond the stock's 1.8% annualized dividend yield can sell the January 2028 covered call at the $440 strike and collect the premium based on the $13.00 bid, which annualizes to an additional 1.8% rate of return against the current stock price (at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost), for a total of 3.6% annualized rate in the scenario where the stock is not called away. Any upside above $440 would be lost if the stock rises there and is called away, but GD shares would have to climb 30.2% from current levels for that to occur, meaning that in the scenario where the stock is called, the shareholder has earned a 34% return from this trading level, in addition to any dividends collected before the stock was called.
In general, dividend amounts are not always predictable and tend to follow the ups and downs of profitability at each company. In the case of General Dynamics Corp, looking at the dividend history chart for GD below can help in judging whether the most recent dividend is likely to continue, and in turn whether it is a reasonable expectation to expect a 1.8% annualized dividend yield.
Below is a chart showing GD's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $440 strike highlighted in red:
The chart above, and the stock's historical volatility, can be a helpful guide in combination with fundamental analysis to judge whether selling the January 2028 covered call at the $440 strike gives good reward for the risk of having given away the upside beyond $440. (Do most options expire worthless? This and six other common options myths debunked). We calculate the trailing twelve month volatility for General Dynamics Corp (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $336.59) to be 21%. For other call options contract ideas at the various different available expirations, visit the GD Stock Options page of StockOptionsChannel.com.
In mid-afternoon trading on Tuesday, the put volume among S&P 500 components was 697,243 contracts, with call volume at 1.29M, for a put:call ratio of 0.54 so far for the day. Compared to the long-term median put:call ratio of .65, that represents very high call volume relative to puts; in other words, buyers are preferring calls in options trading so far today. Find out which 15 call and put options traders are talking about today.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.