- Revenue of $13.5 billion, up 10.3% from year-ago quarter, with growth in all four segments
- Diluted EPS $4.10, up 12% from year-ago quarter
- $2.2 billion cash from operating activities, 192% of net earnings
- Strong order activity, with 2-to-1 book-to-bill
RESTON, Va., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) today reported first-quarter 2026 operating earnings of $1.4 billion, or $4.10 per diluted share (EPS), on revenue of $13.5 billion. Compared with the year-ago quarter, revenue increased 10.3%, operating earnings and diluted EPS both increased 12%. Operating margin was 10.5%.
"Our businesses had a very good start to the year, delivering strong operating results and excellent cash conversion," said Phebe Novakovic, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are positioned well to drive additional performance throughout the year."
Cash and Capital Deployment
Net cash provided by operating activities in the quarter totaled $2.2 billion, or 192% of net earnings. During the quarter, the company paid $405 million in dividends and invested $203 million in capital expenditures, ending the quarter with $3.7 billion in cash and equivalents on hand.
Orders and Backlog
Orders totaled $26.6 billion in the quarter on a companywide basis. Consolidated book-to-bill ratio, defined as orders divided by revenue, was 2-to-1 for the quarter. Book-to-bill was 2.2-to-1 for the defense segments and 1.2-to-1 for the Aerospace segment.
Total estimated contract value, the sum of all backlog components, was $188.4 billion at the end of the quarter. This includes backlog of $130.8 billion and estimated potential contract value, representing management's estimate of additional value in unfunded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts and unexercised options, of $57.6 billion.
About General Dynamics
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide and generated $52.6 billion in revenue in 2025. More information is available at www.gd.com.
WEBCAST INFORMATION: General Dynamics will webcast its first-quarter 2026 financial results conference call at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The webcast will be a listen-only audio event available at www.gd.com.An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available by telephone two hours after the end of the call through May 6, 2026, at 800-770-2030 (international: +1 609-800-9909), conference ID 4299949. Charts furnished to investors and securities analysts in connection with General Dynamics' announcement of its financial results are available at www.gd.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (FLS), including statements about the company's future operational and financial performance, which are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "forecasts," "scheduled," "outlook," "estimates," "should" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify FLS. In making FLS, we rely on assumptions and analyses based on our experience and perception of historical trends; current conditions and expected future developments; and other factors, estimates and judgments we consider reasonable and appropriate based on information available to us at the time. FLS are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and involve factors, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in the FLS. All FLS speak only as of the date they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release revisions to FLS to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these factors is contained in the company's filings with the SEC, and these factors may be revised or supplemented in future SEC filings. In addition, this press release contains some financial measures not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). While we believe these non-GAAP metrics provide useful information for investors, there are limitations associated with their use, and our calculations of these metrics may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP metrics should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP measures. Reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures and other information relating to our non-GAAP measures are included in other filings with the SEC, which are available at investorrelations.gd.com.
EXHIBIT A
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
Three Months Ended Variance
April 5, 2026 March 30, 2025
$ %
Revenue $13,481 $12,223 $1,258 10.3 %
Operating costs and expenses (12,061) (10,955) (1,106)
Operating earnings 1,420 1,268 152 12.0 %
Other, net 18 21 (3)
Interest, net (69) (89) 20
Earnings before income tax 1,369 1,200 169 14.1 %
Provision for income tax, net (244) (206) (38)
Net earnings $1,125 $994 $131 13.2 %
Earnings per share-basic $4.16 $3.69 $0.47 12.7 %
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 270.2 269.0
Earnings per share-diluted $4.10 $3.66 $0.44 12.0 %
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 274.1 271.7
EXHIBIT B
REVENUE AND OPERATING EARNINGS BY SEGMENT - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS
Three Months Ended Variance
April 5, 2026 March 30, 2025
$ %
Revenue:
---
Aerospace $3,279 $3,026 $253 8.4 %
Marine Systems 4,343 3,589 754 21.0 %
Combat Systems 2,283 2,176 107 4.9 %
Technologies 3,576 3,432 144 4.2 %
Total $13,481 $12,223 $1,258 10.3 %
Operating earnings:
---
Aerospace $493 $432 $61 14.1 %
Marine Systems 316 250 66 26.4 %
Combat Systems 310 291 19 6.5 %
Technologies 339 328 11 3.4 %
Corporate (38) (33) (5) (15.2) %
Total $1,420 $1,268 $152 12.0 %
Operating margin:
---
Aerospace 15.0 % 14.3 %
Marine Systems 7.3 % 7.0 %
Combat Systems 13.6 % 13.4 %
Technologies 9.5 % 9.6 %
Total 10.5 % 10.4 %
EXHIBIT C
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS
(Unaudited)
April 5, 2026 December 31, 2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents $3,654 $2,333
Accounts receivable 2,254 2,406
Unbilled receivables 9,051 8,380
Inventories 9,177 9,232
Other current assets 1,919 1,897
Total current assets 26,055 24,248
Noncurrent assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,503 7,525
Intangible assets, net 1,328 1,375
Goodwill 20,956 21,009
Other assets 3,187 3,092
Total noncurrent assets 32,974 33,001
Total assets $59,029 $57,249
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $1,755 $1,006
Accounts payable 2,843 2,678
Customer advances and deposits 10,847 9,824
Other current liabilities 3,380 3,288
Total current liabilities 18,825 16,796
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt 6,259 7,007
Other liabilities 7,866 7,824
Total noncurrent liabilities 14,125 14,831
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock 482 482
Surplus 4,433 4,403
Retained earnings 44,774 44,080
Treasury stock (23,053) (22,860)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (557) (483)
Total shareholders' equity 26,079 25,622
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $59,029 $57,249
EXHIBIT D
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS
Three Months Ended
April 5, 2026 March 30, 2025
Cash flows from operating activities-continuing operations:
Net earnings $1,125 $994
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 173 162
Amortization of intangible and finance lease right-of-use assets 59 61
Equity-based compensation expense 40 34
Deferred income tax provision (benefit) 286 (59)
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of effects of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable 152 (317)
Unbilled receivables (656) (879)
Inventories 55 (92)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:
Accounts payable 165 13
Customer advances and deposits 764 13
Other, net (8) (78)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 2,155 (148)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (203) (142)
Other, net 1 12
Net cash used by investing activities (202) (130)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid (405) (383)
Purchases of common stock (217) (600)
Proceeds from commercial paper, net - 1,590
Repayment of fixed-rate notes - (750)
Other, net (7) (32)
Net cash used by financing activities (629) (175)
Net cash used by discontinued operations (3) (2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents 1,321 (455)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period 2,333 1,697
Cash and equivalents at end of period $3,654 $1,242
EXHIBIT E
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
---
First Quarter
2026 2025
Free cash flow:
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities $2,155 $(148)
Capital expenditures (203) (142)
Free cash flow (a) $1,952 $(290)
April 5, 2026 December 31, 2025
Net debt:
Total debt $8,014 $8,013
Less cash and equivalents 3,654 2,333
Net debt (b) $4,360 $5,680
Supplemental Aerospace Data:
---
First Quarter
2026 2025
Gulfstream Aircraft Deliveries (units):
Large-cabin aircraft 31 30
Mid-cabin aircraft 7 6
Total 38 36
Aerospace Book-to-Bill:
Orders (c) $3,843 $2,361
Revenue 3,279 3,026
Book-to-Bill Ratio 1.2x
0.8x
(a) We define free cash flow as net cash from operating activities less capital expenditures. We believe free cash
flow is a useful measure for
investors because it portrays our ability to generate cash from our businesses for purposes such as repaying
debt, funding business
acquisitions, paying dividends and repurchasing our common stock to cover dilution. We use free cash flow to
assess the quality of our
earnings and as a key performance measure in evaluating management.
(b) We define net debt as short- and long-term debt (total debt) less cash and equivalents. We believe net debt
is a useful measure for investors
because it reflects the borrowings that support our operations and capital deployment strategy. We use net debt
as an important indicator of
liquidity and financial position.
(c) Does not include customer defaults, liquidated damages, cancellations, foreign exchange fluctuations and other
backlog adjustments.
EXHIBIT F
BACKLOG - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS
Funded Unfunded Total Estimated Total
Backlog Potential Estimated
Contract Value* Contract Value
First Quarter 2026:
---
Aerospace $21,172 $1,095 $22,267 $1,040 $23,307
Marine Systems 40,598 23,373 63,971 12,519 76,490
Combat Systems 25,532 1,383 26,915 11,770 38,685
Technologies 10,818 6,869 17,687 32,272 49,959
Total $98,120 $32,720 $130,840 $57,601 $188,441
Fourth Quarter 2025:
---
Aerospace $20,804 $1,024 $21,828 $1,120 $22,948
Marine Systems 36,808 15,532 52,340 11,823 64,163
Combat Systems 26,064 1,154 27,218 14,670 41,888
Technologies 9,865 6,795 16,660 33,280 49,940
Total $93,541 $24,505 $118,046 $60,893 $178,939
First Quarter 2025:
---
Aerospace $18,171 $828 $18,999 $1,090 $20,089
Marine Systems 30,882 7,491 38,373 10,261 48,634
Combat Systems 16,129 799 16,928 8,649 25,577
Technologies 9,751 4,606 14,357 32,670 47,027
Total $74,933 $13,724 $88,657 $52,670 $141,327
* The estimated potential contract value includes work awarded on unfunded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity
(IDIQ) contracts and unexercised
options associated with existing firm contracts, including options and other agreements with existing customers to
purchase new aircraft and aircraft
services. We recognize options in backlog when the customer exercises the option and establishes a firm order. For
IDIQ contracts, we evaluate the
amount of funding we expect to receive and include this amount in our estimated potential contract value. The actual
amount of funding received in
the future may be higher or lower than our estimate of potential contract value.
EXHIBIT F-1
BACKLOG - (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN MILLIONS
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SOURCE General Dynamics
Jeff A. Davis, Tel: 703 876 3483, press@generaldynamics.com