Rocket Lab USA Inc. logo

Rocket Lab USA Inc.(RKLB)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$68.4
10/08/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for RKLB

10/08/2026: RKLB (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Rocket Lab USA is a vertically integrated space company that provides both launch services and satellite systems. Its primary strength lies in its proven launch reliability with the Electron rocket and its ability to manufacture critical spacecraft components. The company’s main growth opportunity is the development of the Neutron rocket, which aims to enter the high-demand medium-lift market. Key risks include intense competitive pressure from industry giants, high capital expenditure needs, and inherent development risks for new vehicles. The stock is best suited for growth-oriented investors with a high risk tolerance who are looking for exposure to the long-term expansion of the space economy.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitRocket Lab offers significant exposure to the expanding space sector and high top-line growth potential.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe stock often reacts strongly to launch milestones and contract wins, making it attractive for momentum-based strategies.
Value investorWeak fitAs a pre-profit high-growth aerospace company, it lacks the earnings history required for traditional value analysis.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company does not pay dividends and retains all capital for growth initiatives.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility and the inherent risks of aerospace development make it unsuitable for conservative, risk-averse portfolios.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is highly sensitive to news, launch results, and broader market sentiment regarding growth stocks.
Valuation riskHighCurrent valuations rely on long-term growth assumptions that may be challenged by delays or competitive pressure.
Competition risk (SpaceX and incumbents)Medium / highFacing intense competition from SpaceX and major defense contractors creates pressure on margins and market share.
Business qualityMediumWhile technology is advanced, the company is still maturing its path to sustained profitability.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThere is no current expectation of income generation for shareholders.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccess depends heavily on the successful, timely development and launch of the Neutron rocket.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 876.06%
Avg. Invested days 54
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 5.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 5.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/08/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
RKLB receives a 3-star rating, supported by strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, soft quantitative characteristics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
RKLB has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong revenue growth (+38.0%) is partially offset by slightly negative earnings growth (-4.2%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -53.5%), weak profitability (net margin -32.9%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
RKLB's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 44.4%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is RKLB's strongest growth driver at +38.0% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-4.2%, slightly negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-177.5%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 62.0% and approximately 93.0% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.80%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 6.35%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.24%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.96%
Amvescap Plc. 2.87%
State Street Corp 2.26%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
RKLB generates approximately $344 of gross profit, $-380 of operating income, and $-535 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses and cash burn explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 12.26%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
RKLB has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while soft valuation.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 45.99B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 109.15
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 109.15
Volume (30-day avg) 20.3M shares
Beta 2.94
52 Weeks Range 37.57 - 151.00
Updated Date 10/08/2026
52 Weeks Range 37.57 - 151.00
Updated Date 10/08/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.26

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Launch ServicesRevenue from dedicated and rideshare launch missions using the Electron vehicle.This is the core 'space access' business where customers pay to send payloads into orbit.
Space SystemsSales of satellite components (reaction wheels, solar panels) and complete satellite manufacturing.This provides steadier, recurring revenue through the supply of critical hardware for satellite constellations.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 1111.11
Enterprise Value 42.79B
Price to Sales(TTM) 59.79
Enterprise Value 42.79B
Price to Sales(TTM) 59.79
Enterprise Value to Revenue 55.63
Enterprise Value to EBITDA -16.44
Shares Outstanding 598.46M
Shares Floating 556.86M
Shares Outstanding 598.46M
Shares Floating 556.86M
Percent Insiders 0.8
Percent Institutions 61.98

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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