tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Rocket Lab Usa, Inc. (RKLB)
:RKLB
US Market
Advertisement

Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
11,849 Followers

Top Page

RKLB

Rocket Lab USA

(NASDAQ:RKLB)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 47 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:47Neutral
Price Target:
$39.00
▼(-6.99% Downside)
Rocket Lab USA's overall stock score is primarily impacted by its financial performance challenges, including negative profitability and cash flow issues. Technical analysis further indicates bearish momentum, while valuation metrics are weak due to a negative P/E ratio. However, the earnings call provides a positive outlook with strong revenue growth and strategic expansions, slightly offsetting the negative factors.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Sustained revenue growth indicates strong demand for Rocket Lab's services, enhancing its market position and long-term business prospects.
Strategic Acquisitions
Acquiring Geost strengthens Rocket Lab's position in defense contracts, diversifying its revenue streams and enhancing competitive advantage.
Strong Backlog
A robust backlog ensures future revenue stability and reflects strong demand, supporting long-term growth and operational planning.
Negative Factors
Profitability Challenges
Ongoing profitability issues highlight challenges in cost management, which could hinder sustainable growth and investor confidence.
Cash Flow Issues
Persistent cash flow challenges limit Rocket Lab's ability to fund operations and growth initiatives, impacting financial flexibility.
High Operating Expenses
Elevated operating expenses strain profitability and could delay breakeven, affecting long-term financial health and investment capacity.

Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Rocket Lab USA Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRocket Lab USA, Inc., a space company, provides launch services and space systems solutions for the space and defense industries. The company provides launch services, spacecraft engineering and design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing, and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions; and constellation management services, as well as designs and manufactures small and medium-class rockets. It also designs, manufactures, and sells Electron small orbital launch vehicles and the Photon satellite platforms, as well as developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle; conducts remote launch activities; and designs and manufactures a range of components and subsystems for the Photon family of spacecraft and broader merchant spacecraft components. The company serves commercial, aerospace prime contractors, and government customers. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyRocket Lab generates revenue through multiple streams primarily focused on its launch services and satellite solutions. The main revenue source comes from the launch contracts it secures with commercial, government, and international customers to transport small satellites into orbit using its Electron rocket. Additionally, Rocket Lab derives income from the sales and services associated with its Photon satellite platform, which includes satellite design, manufacturing, and mission management. Significant partnerships, such as collaborations with NASA and various commercial entities, enhance its market presence and contribute to its earnings by securing a steady pipeline of launch contracts and satellite deployments.

Rocket Lab USA Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue Value
Revenue Value
Indicates the total revenue generated, providing a snapshot of the company's overall financial health and market position.
Chart InsightsRocket Lab's revenue trajectory reveals fluctuations with a recent decline, but the earnings call highlights a robust 32% year-over-year increase in Q1 2025, driven by strong demand for Electron and HASTE missions. Despite a sequential revenue dip and negative cash flow, the company's strategic focus on the Neutron launch vehicle and new product innovations positions it well for future growth. The anticipated revenue boost in Q2 2025 and selection for the DOD's NSSL program underscore Rocket Lab's competitive edge in the space industry.
Data provided by:The Fly

Rocket Lab USA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 10, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth, robust demand for Electron, and strategic expansions. However, it also noted challenges with launch services revenue decline, increased operating expenses, and delays in Neutron launch. Despite these hurdles, the company remains optimistic about future growth and margin improvements.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. reported $155 million in revenue for Q3 2025, up 48% year-over-year, marking another record-breaking quarter.
Strong Electron Demand
Electron demand is accelerating with a record backlog of 49 launches on contract, 17 dedicated launches signed in Q3, primarily with international customers.
Space Systems Segment Growth
The Space Systems segment delivered $114.2 million in revenue, reflecting a 16.7% sequential increase, driven by strong performance in satellite manufacturing.
Advancements in Neutron and Archimedes
Significant progress in Neutron testing and Archimedes engine development, with plans to bring Neutron to launch pad in Q1 next year.
Strategic Expansion in European Market
Completion of Geos acquisition and nearing completion of Manaruk acquisition, expanding capabilities and market presence in Europe.
Positive Financial Outlook
Q4 2025 revenue expected to range between $171-$180 million, with anticipated improvements in gross margins.
Negative Updates
Launch Services Segment Decline
Launch services revenue was $40.9 million, a 12.3% quarter-over-quarter decline due to fewer launches primarily caused by customer spacecraft delivery delays.
Increased Operating Expenses
GAAP operating expenses for Q3 2025 were $116.3 million, above the previous guidance range, driven by Neutron development costs.
Neutron Launch Delays
Neutron's first launch pushed to Q1 next year to ensure thorough testing and quality, impacting the projected launch cadence.
High Cash Usage
Non-GAAP free cash flow was a use of $69.4 million in Q3 2025, reflecting ongoing investments in Neutron and infrastructure expansion.
Company Guidance
During Rocket Lab USA, Inc.'s third-quarter 2025 earnings call, the company reported record-breaking revenue of $155 million, marking a 48% year-over-year increase. The company highlighted a strong backlog with 49 launches on contract and a significant increase in their launch cadence, having already matched last year's record of 16 launches with another scheduled soon. Rocket Lab also shared progress on their space systems programs, including the integration of twin spacecraft for a NASA Mars mission and developments in their Neutron program, with the first launch targeted for early next year. The company demonstrated robust financial performance with a GAAP gross margin of 37% and a non-GAAP gross margin of 41.9%. Rocket Lab's total backlog stands at $1.1 billion, with an anticipated 57% conversion to revenue within the next 12 months, driven by both launch services and space systems contributions. Looking ahead, Rocket Lab expects fourth-quarter revenue between $171 million and $180 million, with further improvements in gross margins.

Rocket Lab USA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Rocket Lab USA is experiencing growth in revenue, but profitability and cash flow remain significant challenges. The company has improved its gross profit margin, yet it continues to face high operational costs and negative net income. The balance sheet shows a reasonable debt level, but the negative return on equity is concerning. Cash flow issues persist despite some growth in free cash flow, indicating the need for improved cash management strategies.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Rocket Lab USA has shown a positive revenue growth rate of 9.97% in the TTM, indicating an upward trajectory in sales. However, the company is struggling with profitability, as evidenced by negative net profit and EBIT margins. The gross profit margin has improved to 29.04%, but the net profit margin remains deeply negative at -45.87%, highlighting ongoing challenges in cost management and operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, suggesting manageable leverage levels. However, the return on equity is negative at -48.14%, reflecting the company's inability to generate profits from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio is relatively stable, indicating a solid asset base, but the negative ROE is a concern for investors.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis reveals a challenging situation with negative operating cash flow and free cash flow. Although there is a positive free cash flow growth rate of 13.48%, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating cash flow issues. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.84, suggesting that while free cash flow exceeds net income, the overall cash position remains weak.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue554.53M436.21M244.59M211.00M62.24M35.16M
Gross Profit175.77M116.15M51.41M18.99M-1.89M-11.82M
EBITDA-190.39M-151.80M-144.93M-95.20M-91.20M-45.61M
Net Income-197.63M-190.18M-182.57M-135.94M-117.32M-55.01M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.22B1.18B941.21M989.12M980.85M187.87M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments976.74M418.99M244.77M471.79M690.96M52.79M
Total Debt516.62M468.42M176.69M152.78M128.43M27.30M
Total Liabilities940.41M801.89M386.67M315.92M282.40M354.58M
Stockholders Equity1.28B382.45M554.54M673.21M698.45M-166.71M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-231.56M-115.98M-153.57M-148.95M-97.49M-52.88M
Operating Cash Flow-103.38M-48.89M-98.87M-106.54M-71.79M-27.76M
Investing Cash Flow-261.18M-98.33M12.02M-346.08M-92.13M-37.33M
Financing Cash Flow881.92M256.68M7.37M2.04M799.94M21.48M

Rocket Lab USA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price41.93
Price Trends
50DMA
54.79
Negative
100DMA
50.25
Negative
200DMA
37.05
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-4.63
Positive
RSI
33.98
Neutral
STOCH
38.42
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RKLB, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 41.93 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 48.99, below the 50-day MA of 54.79, and above the 200-day MA of 37.05, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -4.63 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.98 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 38.42 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for RKLB.

Rocket Lab USA Risk Analysis

Rocket Lab USA disclosed 61 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Rocket Lab USA reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Rocket Lab USA Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
53
Neutral
$3.61B-19.90%11.33%35.92%
47
Neutral
$22.40B-23.24%52.42%-1.33%
44
Neutral
$1.67B8.07%33.37%
43
Neutral
$1.31B-115.63%-33.69%
41
Neutral
$886.86M-50.08%-0.63%-163.11%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RKLB
Rocket Lab USA
41.93
17.77
73.55%
EVEX
Eve Holding
3.75
-0.41
-9.86%
RDW
Redwire
5.37
-7.90
-59.53%
PL
Planet Labs PBC
11.72
7.21
159.87%
LUNR
Intuitive Machines
9.29
-5.27
-36.20%

Rocket Lab USA Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Rocket Lab Reports Record Q3 2025 Revenue Growth
Positive
Nov 10, 2025

Rocket Lab announced its third-quarter 2025 financial results, reporting a record quarterly revenue of $155 million, marking a 48% year-on-year growth. The company highlighted significant achievements including securing 17 Electron launch contracts, launching two HASTE missions, and acquiring Geost to enhance its capabilities in U.S. national security. Rocket Lab also opened Launch Complex 3 for its Neutron rocket and maintains a strong financial position with over $1 billion in liquidity, setting the stage for continued growth and strategic acquisitions.

The most recent analyst rating on (RKLB) stock is a Hold with a $48.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rocket Lab USA stock, see the RKLB Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Rocket Lab USA Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
Aug 29, 2025

On August 25, 2025, Rocket Lab USA‘s Compensation Committee adopted a Senior Executive Cash Incentive Bonus Plan, which ties cash bonuses to the achievement of specific performance targets. This plan aims to align executive performance with corporate goals and operational success. Additionally, on August 27, 2025, Rocket Lab held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where four proposals were considered. Notably, three directors were elected, and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor was ratified. However, a proposed amendment to eliminate a pass-through voting provision was not approved.

The most recent analyst rating on (RKLB) stock is a Buy with a $60.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rocket Lab USA stock, see the RKLB Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 21, 2025