Rocket Lab shares are powering higher. Why is RKLB stock up today?Space, Defense Sentiment ImprovesThe rally comes alongside broader strength in aerospace, defense and space stocks Wednesday afternoon. Sector ETFs climbed 2% as traders reacted to reports of rising tensions between the United States and Iran and the prospect of expanded military action, with Rocket Lab among the day's notable gainers. Space names have been under pressure in 2026 amid chatter about a potential $1.5 trillion SpaceX IPO, which ...

Core Insights - Rocket Lab (RKLB) has demonstrated significant revenue growth despite operational delays, while AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) has disappointed investors with poor performance and high valuation metrics [1] Group 1: Rocket Lab Performance - Rocket Lab reported an annual revenue of $554 million and secured an $816 million defense contract, expected to generate an additional $200 million in revenue over four years [1] - The company launched its 80th and 81st Electron missions in January, maintaining a strong operational track record [1] - Q3 2025 revenue reached $155 million, reflecting a 48% year-over-year increase, with gross margins of 37% [1] - The company has a backlog of $1 billion, which grew 56% year-over-year in launch services alone [1] Group 2: Challenges Faced by Rocket Lab - A rupture in the Stage 1 tank of the Neutron rocket during testing has delayed its debut to the first half of 2026, impacting investor sentiment [1] - Despite the Neutron setback, Rocket Lab's core business remains strong, with CEO Peter Beck indicating robust momentum [1] Group 3: Comparison with AST SpaceMobile - AST SpaceMobile reported only $18.5 million in revenue and trades at a price-to-sales ratio of 1,655x, indicating a lack of operational maturity compared to Rocket Lab [1] - AST SpaceMobile missed Q3 targets and raised $1 billion through convertible notes, highlighting its financial struggles [1] - Rocket Lab's proven revenue generation and operational execution contrast sharply with AST SpaceMobile's ongoing cash burn and execution risks [1]

Can Intuitive Machines Be the Next Moonshot Stock?[Rich Duprey | Feb 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM EST Space exploration stock Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) is heading for the moon after it said its second lunar launch was ready…]## Intuitive Machines Makes Strong Lunge on Space Exploration Pivot[247patrick | Feb 17, 2023 at 10:26 PM EST Following decades since the last astronaut set foot on the lunar surface, Intuitive Machines (US:LUNR) aims to undergird the return…]## LUNR Rockets 18% Higher. Is Space the Next ...

Core Insights - Rocket Lab is expanding its military hypersonic testing capabilities, launching its fourth military hypersonic test mission in under six months, which could enhance its stock performance [1] - The company is focusing on defense contracts as a new revenue stream, aiming for financial stability amid challenges in commercial profitability [1] - Rocket Lab's stock has more than doubled in the past year but has seen a 3% decline year-to-date [1] Company Developments - The upcoming Cassowary Vex mission, set to launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, will deploy the DART AE hypersonic demonstrator drone [1] - Rocket Lab's specialized HASTE rocket is designed for hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 20, capable of carrying heavier payloads for military testing [1] - The DART AE drone, built by Hypersonix, is designed to fly at Mach 7 and features a scramjet engine that operates efficiently at high speeds [1] Industry Context - The U.S. military is prioritizing hypersonic technology, creating a favorable environment for companies like Rocket Lab to secure government contracts [1] - The shift towards military applications is seen as a strategic move for Rocket Lab to ensure steady revenue and support ongoing innovation [1] - As hypersonic technology becomes a national security priority, Rocket Lab's established capabilities position it well for long-term government partnerships [1]

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab Corporation is set to launch a dedicated mission named Cassowary Vex for the Department of War's Defense Innovation Unit, utilizing its HASTE rocket to deploy a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Hypersonix, marking a significant advancement in hypersonic test capabilities for the U.S. and its allies [1][2][3]. Group 1: Mission Details - The Cassowary Vex mission is scheduled for launch no earlier than late February from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the Virginia Spaceport Authority's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport [2][9]. - The HASTE launch, titled "That's Not A Knife," represents Rocket Lab's fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, emphasizing the company's commitment to enhancing the U.S. hypersonic test capabilities [3][9]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - The HASTE program aims to lower cost barriers and increase the test launch tempo, providing unprecedented control over flight profiles and environments up to Mach 20, which is a unique commercial capability that enhances U.S. space superiority [3]. - Rocket Lab's efforts in hypersonic testing align with the critical priorities of the Department of War, showcasing the company's role in national security and defense innovation [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Rocket Lab is recognized as a leading space company providing launch services, spacecraft, payloads, and satellite components for commercial, government, and national security markets [5]. - The company's Electron rocket is noted as the world's most frequently launched orbital small rocket, while the HASTE rocket offers hypersonic test launch capabilities for the U.S. government and allied nations [5].

Rocket Lab stock is among today’s weakest performers. What’s pressuring RKLB stock?Space Stocks Extend WeaknessSpace stocks ran in 2025, but the sector has hit resistance in 2026 as speculation around a potential SpaceX IPO pulls liquidity toward a "wait-and-see" posture. That repositioning has coincided with broad declines across launch and satellite peers in recent weeks.Rocket Lab News Adds Company-Specific PressureFor Rocket Lab, recent volatility has also been tied to a key headline: Congress' decision ...

Industry Overview - Space stocks experienced a decline on heavy trading as investors reacted to multiple industry challenges, including hardware concerns and sensitivity to Elon Musk's comments regarding SpaceX and AI integration with orbital data [1] - A significant satellite player announced a large convertible note offering, which negatively impacted the entire sector [2] Company-Specific Developments AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) - AST SpaceMobile was downgraded from Buy to Neutral by B. Riley Securities, although the price target was raised to a Street-high $105, indicating a potential upside of approximately 20% from current levels [3] - Despite a recent slip, ASTS stock has gained about 15% in 2026 [3] Rocket Lab (RKLB) - Rocket Lab's stock fell by 8% on Thursday, contributing to a total loss of over 27% in the past month due to concerns over a stage-1 tank rupture during a qualification test for its Neutron rocket [4] - The company has a backlog exceeding $1 billion, but fears of delays for its first medium-lift launch have led investors to take profits after a significant rally over the past year [4] Redwire (RDW) - Redwire's shares dropped on Thursday, influenced by the overall downward trend in the space sector and heavy insider selling [5] - Zacks Investment Research downgraded Redwire from Hold to Strong Sell, further pressuring the stock, which has lost 24% over the past month [5] Firefly Aerospace (FLY) - Firefly Aerospace's shares also declined as investors reacted to industry hardware setbacks and AST's convertible note offering [6] - The stock has seen a sharp correction, falling nearly 40% over the past month after a strong start to the year [6] Planet Labs (PL) - Planet Labs signed a nine-figure deal with the Swedish Armed Forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of its satellite-as-a-service model [8] - The company is integrating its high-frequency satellite data into AXA's AI-driven disaster management tool to enhance real-time predictions and responses to natural disasters [7] Intuitive Machines (LUNR) - Intuitive Machines' stock pulled back after a period of strength, following the $800 million acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems and securing contracts with the Air Force Research Laboratory [9] - Traders may be locking in gains ahead of the high-risk IM-2 lunar mission scheduled for later this year, as the stock has nearly doubled in the past year [9]

The space economy is one of the hottest investment themes of 2026. Privately held SpaceX leads the way and is reportedly planning an IPO this year, with a valuation of $1 trillion or more expected at its public market debut. But what if you want to buy a stake in the fast-growing space economy right now? The good news is that any investor can do this by buying Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) stock, a hot competitor to SpaceX whose stock is up 594% over the last five years. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our ...

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Core Insights - Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) stock has increased by 168.7% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry growth of 31.8%, the Zacks Aerospace sector's growth of 30%, and the S&P 500's rise of 16.8% [1][8] Performance Comparison - Other defense equipment stocks, such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) and AeroVironment (AVAV), have also shown strong performance, with KTOS shares gaining 208.2% and AVAV shares increasing by 53% over the same period [2] Growth Drivers - RKLB's recent market momentum is attributed to operational progress and key program developments, which have bolstered investor confidence [4] - The company successfully completed its 81st Electron launch in January 2026, demonstrating its capability for frequent and reliable launches, thereby strengthening its position in the small-satellite launch market [5] - Additionally, RKLB made significant progress with its Neutron rocket program, including the delivery of its "Hungry Hippo" captive fairing, which is being prepared for pre-launch testing [6] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2026 revenues indicates a solid improvement of 43.9% from the prior year, with estimates for earnings also showing a positive trend [11] - Current estimates for Q4 2025 revenue stand at $177.90 million, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 34.38% [12] - The earnings per share (EPS) estimates for the current year show a year-over-year growth estimate of 50% [13] Valuation Metrics - RKLB shares are currently trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S F12M) ratio of 44.79X, compared to the industry average of 12.32X [14] - Industry peers, KTOS and AVAV, are trading at lower P/S F12M ratios of 10.19X and 6.03X, respectively [15] Liquidity Position - RKLB has a current ratio of 3.18, indicating sufficient capital to meet short-term debt obligations [16] - Industry peers also maintain strong liquidity positions, with KTOS at 4.30 and AVAV at 5.08 [19]