Why Rocket Lab Skyrocketed 65.5% Last Month and Has Kept Soaring in 2026

Core Insights - Rocket Lab experienced significant stock price growth, closing 2025 with a 65.5% increase, while major indices like the S&P 500 remained flat and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.5% [1] - The stock's rise was influenced by news of SpaceX's upcoming IPO, which positively affected valuations across the space-tech sector [2] - Rocket Lab secured a new funding deal with the Canadian Space Agency aimed at enhancing Canada's space capabilities [3] - The company successfully completed its first mission for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, marking a key milestone in its partnership with JAXA [4] - Following a successful launch for the U.S. Space Force, Rocket Lab was awarded a contract worth at least $806 million, with potential expansions bringing the total deal value to approximately $1 billion [7] - Analysts from Stifel and Needham have raised their price targets for Rocket Lab, reflecting positive sentiment and maintaining buy ratings [8] Stock Performance - Rocket Lab's stock continued to rise in January 2026, with a 21.6% increase for the month, driven by investor confidence following recent successes [9] - The current stock price is $1.77, with a market cap of $45 billion [5][10] - The stock has shown a 52-week range of $14.71 to $89.87, indicating significant volatility and growth potential [10]