Rocket Lab Corp (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are trading marginally higher Thursday afternoon as investors position ahead of the space launch and spacecraft maker's fourth-quarter earnings report, due after the closing bell. Here’s what investors need to know.Rocket Lab stock is taking a breather. What’s next for RKLB stock?Loss Expected To NarrowWall Street expects Rocket Lab to post revenue of $178 million for the quarter, up from $132 million a year earlier, marking a third consecutive quarterly revenue record i ...

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab shares have seen a significant increase, driven by broader strength in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors amid rising geopolitical tensions [2][10] Industry Sentiment - The aerospace and defense sectors are experiencing a rally, with sector ETFs climbing 2% due to reports of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran [2] - Space stocks, including Rocket Lab, have faced pressure in 2026 due to speculation surrounding a potential $1.5 trillion IPO from SpaceX, which has diverted capital from competitors [3] Company Developments - Rocket Lab is preparing for its Cassowary Vex mission, scheduled for late February, which will be the fourth hypersonic test in six months, aimed at reducing costs and increasing testing frequency for the U.S. and its allies [4] - The company is set to report earnings on February 26, with expectations of a loss of 9 cents per share and revenue estimates of $178.07 million, an increase from previous estimates [7][9] Technical Analysis - The stock is currently trading 4.1% below its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) but 1.2% above its 50-day SMA, indicating a mixed short-term outlook [5] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 45.25, suggesting neutral conditions, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicates bearish pressure [6] Analyst Consensus - The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price target of $64.00, and recent analyst actions include upgrades from various firms, with targets raised to between $69.00 and $120.00 [8][9] - Rocket Lab has a strong Momentum score of 95.54, reflecting its recent price performance relative to peers [8]

Core Insights - Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) shares have increased by 70.7% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry growth of 6.3%, the Aerospace sector's growth of 5.4%, and the S&P 500's rise of 17.2% [1] Performance Comparison - Other defense equipment stocks, such as Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) and Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW), have also shown strong performance, with KTOS gaining 91.9% and CW gaining 21.5% in the same period [3] Growth Drivers - RKLB's recent stock performance is attributed to significant milestones and contract wins that have bolstered investor confidence [5] - In November 2025, Rocket Lab successfully launched a suborbital mission for the Defense Innovation Unit and the Missile Defense Agency, which supports advanced missile-defense technology testing [6] - The same month, Rocket Lab launched two Explorer-class spacecraft for NASA and the University of California, Berkeley, as part of the ESCAPADE mission to Mars, showcasing its involvement in deep-space research [7] - The upcoming launch of the Neutron rocket, expected in the second half of 2025, is anticipated to significantly expand Rocket Lab's launch capacity in the U.S. [9] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 revenues indicates a 37.7% improvement from the previous year, with current quarter estimates at $178.38 million and next year estimates at $853.77 million [11] - Earnings estimates also show a positive trend, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 47.37% for the current year [13] Valuation Metrics - RKLB shares are trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S F12M) ratio of 31.56X, compared to the industry average of 9.74X [14] - Industry peers, KTOS and CW, are trading at lower P/S F12M ratios of 8.32X and 5.55X, respectively [15] Liquidity Position - RKLB has a current ratio of 3.18, indicating sufficient capital to meet short-term debt obligations, which is favorable compared to its industry peers [16]

Core Insights - The space industry is experiencing significant growth in 2025, driven by increased global security needs, demand for faster satellite communication, and collaboration between governments and private companies [2] Group 1: Company Overview - Rocket Lab USA Corp. (RKLB) provides comprehensive space solutions, including small satellite launches, spacecraft design, manufacturing, and advanced space systems [3] - Intuitive Machines (LUNR) primarily focuses on lunar missions, offering lunar landers, payload delivery, data services, and long-term Moon infrastructure [3] Group 2: Performance and Milestones - Rocket Lab reported a year-over-year revenue growth of 48% in its third-quarter 2025 results, bolstering investor confidence [5] - In November 2025, Rocket Lab successfully launched a suborbital mission for the Defense Innovation Unit and the Missile Defense Agency, enhancing its role in national security [6] - Rocket Lab also launched two Explorer-class spacecraft for NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars, highlighting its expanding role in deep-space research [7] - The company completed its 74th Electron mission, reinforcing its reliability as a launch partner for Earth-imaging satellites [8] - Intuitive Machines secured an $8.2 million contract extension from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to advance next-generation nuclear power systems for spacecraft and lunar infrastructure [11][12] - Intuitive Machines agreed to acquire Lanteris Space Systems, enhancing its position in the space industry and expanding its revenue base [10] Group 3: Financial Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rocket Lab's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year surge of 37.7%, with a 20% improvement in bottom-line estimates over the past 60 days [13] - In contrast, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Intuitive Machines' 2025 sales suggests a year-over-year decline of 4%, although its bottom-line estimates have improved by 7.14% and 20% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [14] - Rocket Lab shares gained 63.3% over the past year, while Intuitive Machines' shares declined by 35.8% during the same period [15] Group 4: Valuation and Investment Considerations - Intuitive Machines has a more attractive forward sales multiple of 6.00X compared to Rocket Lab's 26.98X [18] - Both companies currently exhibit negative Return on Invested Capital, indicating challenges in generating sufficient profit from investments [19] - Overall, Rocket Lab is viewed as the stronger contender in the current market, with better performance and earnings outlook, while Intuitive Machines presents long-term potential but faces risks due to its reliance on lunar missions [20]