Here's Where Things (Kinda) Went Wrong for General Dynamics in 2017

In a vacuum, a 15.63% year-to-date gain would be something to celebrate. But in the case of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), whose top rivals are up between 26.5% and 30.95%, as the S&P 500 is up 18% for the year, that 15% move is tough to get too excited about.

It would be wrong to say things are not going well for General Dynamics. But at least from the market's perspective, things seem to be going less right for it than they are for other defense contractors. Even on a three-year or five-year horizon, General Dynamics' shares -- though up 41% and 192%, respectively -- have underperformed those of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Raytheon (NYSE: RTN), and Huntington Ingalls (NYSE: HII).

The Gulfstream G500, set for introduction in early 2018. General Dynamics could use a strong showing from its new business jet. Image source: General Dynamics.

Source: Fool.com