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Rocket Lab Usa, Inc. (RKLB)
:RKLB
US Market

Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) AI Stock Analysis

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Rocket Lab USA

(NASDAQ:RKLB)

Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$31.00
▲(17.42%Upside)
Rocket Lab's score reflects strong technical momentum and strategic corporate actions, offset by ongoing profitability and cash flow challenges. The company's positive earnings outlook and strategic initiatives boost its potential, but financial risks remain significant.
Positive Factors
Acquisition
The acquisition of Geost enhances Rocket Lab's capabilities in national security space priorities, adding critical payload systems to its portfolio.
Contract Opportunities
Selection for the NSSL Ph 3 Lane 1 $5.6B program opens the door for Neutron to deliver national security missions and compete against top U.S. launch providers.
Market Positioning
Rocket Lab's strategic move to acquire Geost is seen as timely, aligning with recent advancements in national defense architecture, potentially leading to market share gains.
Negative Factors
Market Competition
The Space Force is exploring new acquisition approaches, including purchasing services where a commercial capability exists, which could negatively impact Rocket Lab's future opportunities.
Program Uncertainty
The ongoing debate about the potential cancellation of the Transport Layer program and the consideration of commercial services creates uncertainty for Rocket Lab shares.

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 USA generates revenue primarily through its space launch services, which involve launching satellites into orbit using its Electron rocket. The company charges clients, including commercial enterprises, government agencies, and research organizations, for delivering their payloads to specific orbits. Rocket Lab's Photon satellite platform also contributes to its revenue by providing satellite design, manufacturing, and operational services. Furthermore, Rocket Lab earns income from providing spacecraft components, such as reaction wheels and star trackers, which are essential for satellite functionality, to various satellite manufacturers. Strategic partnerships and contracts with government entities, including NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, play a significant role in the company's earnings, securing a steady stream of revenue through long-term agreements.

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:Main Street Data

Rocket Lab USA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 08, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 14.29%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 07, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Rocket Lab had a strong quarter with significant achievements in revenue growth, successful mission launches, and strategic initiatives such as the acquisition of Mynaric and selection for the DOD's high-value launch program. However, there were challenges such as a sequential revenue decline and negative operating cash flow due to continued investments. The focus on new product developments and a strong financial outlook for Q2 indicate a positive trajectory.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Revenue
Rocket Lab posted a near-record quarterly revenue of $122.6 million, which is 32% up compared to last year and at the high end of their prior guidance.
Strong Launch Demand
Rocket Lab booked eight new Electron and HASTE missions for Q1 and successfully launched five missions with 100% mission success. Demand from customers exceeds 20 launches for the year.
Selection to DOD's High Value Launch Program
Rocket Lab was selected for the DOD's High Value Launch contract NSSL program, a competitive launch program for the Pentagon's highest priority missions.
Acquisition of Mynaric
Rocket Lab announced its intent to acquire Mynaric, a German company specializing in laser-based satellite communications, to strengthen their position in commercial, national security, and defense contracts.
New Space Systems Products
Rocket Lab introduced new products like STARRAY, modular solar arrays for satellites, and expanded their suite of Frontier Satellite Radios, showcasing their continuous innovation in space systems.
Positive Financial Guidance
For Q2 2025, Rocket Lab expects revenue between $130 million and $140 million, representing greater than 10% quarter-over-quarter growth.
Negative Updates
Sequential Revenue Decline
First quarter revenue declined 7.4% sequentially, attributed to a mix of lower-priced Electron missions and a reduction in the components businesses.
Negative GAAP Operating Cash Flow
GAAP operating cash flow was negative $54.2 million in Q1 2025, significantly down from negative $2.4 million in Q4 2024, driven by lumpy cash receipts and continued investment in Neutron.
Delays in Electron Reusability
Efforts on Electron reusability have been paused to prioritize Neutron's development, indicating a potential delay in advancing Electron's cost efficiency.
Company Guidance
During Rocket Lab's first quarter 2025 financial results call, the company reported near-record quarterly revenue of $122.6 million, reflecting a 32% year-over-year increase. The guidance for the second quarter anticipates revenue between $130 million and $140 million, with GAAP gross margins expected to improve to 30-32% and non-GAAP gross margins to 34-36%. The company highlighted the demand for its Electron and HASTE missions, booking eight new missions and launching five, all with 100% success. Moreover, Rocket Lab emphasized the strategic significance of its Neutron launch vehicle, which has been selected for the DOD's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, with the potential to bid for task orders valued at $5.6 billion by June 2029. Overall, Rocket Lab's focus on its launch and space systems programs highlights its competitive position in the expanding space industry.

Rocket Lab USA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Rocket Lab USA exhibits strong revenue growth but struggles with profitability and cash flow. The balance sheet shows moderate debt but ongoing losses and negative cash flow highlight the need for improved financial management.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Rocket Lab USA has shown consistent revenue growth, with a TTM revenue increase of 6.84% over the previous year. However, the company struggles with profitability, reflected in negative EBIT and Net Profit Margins, indicating significant operating and net losses. The gross profit margin is positive at 26.66%, but overall, profitability remains a challenge.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The company's balance sheet shows moderate financial leverage with a Debt-to-Equity ratio of 1.13, suggesting manageable debt levels relative to equity. However, the equity ratio is 34.36%, indicating a lower proportion of financing through equity. The return on equity is negative due to net losses, highlighting a need for improvement in profitability.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Rocket Lab USA's cash flow analysis reflects negative free cash flow, which has worsened over the periods, highlighting ongoing cash burn. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating challenges in converting income into cash. The company may need to improve cash management to sustain operations.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
466.02M436.21M244.59M211.00M62.24M35.16M
Gross Profit
124.28M116.15M51.41M18.99M-1.89M-11.82M
EBIT
-205.91M-189.80M-177.92M-135.20M-102.05M-54.95M
EBITDA
-167.36M-153.02M-148.78M-105.26M-91.20M-44.59M
Net Income Common Stockholders
-206.53M-190.18M-182.57M-135.94M-117.32M-55.01M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
95.88M418.99M244.77M471.79M690.96M52.79M
Total Assets
0.001.18B941.21M989.12M980.85M187.87M
Total Debt
0.00468.42M176.69M152.78M128.43M27.30M
Net Debt
95.88M197.38M14.17M-89.73M-562.53M-25.49M
Total Liabilities
0.00801.89M386.67M315.92M282.40M354.58M
Stockholders Equity
137.22M382.45M554.54M673.21M698.45M-166.71M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-177.12M-115.98M-153.57M-148.95M-97.49M-52.88M
Operating Cash Flow
-100.53M-48.89M-98.87M-106.54M-71.79M-27.76M
Investing Cash Flow
-74.67M-98.33M12.02M-346.08M-92.13M-37.33M
Financing Cash Flow
113.48M256.68M7.37M2.04M799.94M21.48M

Rocket Lab USA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price26.40
Price Trends
50DMA
23.15
Positive
100DMA
23.27
Positive
200DMA
19.57
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.21
Positive
RSI
52.49
Neutral
STOCH
20.29
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RKLB, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 26.4 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.85, above the 50-day MA of 23.15, and above the 200-day MA of 19.57, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 1.21 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.49 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 20.29 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral 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 (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
DCDCO
71
Outperform
$1.11B32.765.25%3.02%95.76%
68
Neutral
$8.65B162.633.94%5.21%
66
Neutral
$4.52B12.345.41%3.62%4.15%-12.18%
61
Neutral
$12.62B-45.38%64.98%-10.52%
RDRDW
57
Neutral
$1.40B-451.56%1.36%-213.86%
48
Neutral
$132.21M-95.46%-34.33%52.30%
43
Neutral
$1.63B-148.98%-2.94%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RKLB
Rocket Lab USA
26.40
22.01
501.37%
AVAV
AeroVironment
190.12
-25.12
-11.67%
DCO
Ducommun
76.40
19.60
34.51%
SPCE
Virgin Galactic Holdings
3.01
-10.69
-78.03%
EVEX
Eve Holding
5.55
1.00
21.98%
RDW
Redwire
19.32
13.30
220.93%

Rocket Lab USA Corporate Events

Shareholder Meetings
Rocket Lab USA Announces 2025 Annual Meeting Date
Neutral
Jun 9, 2025

Rocket Lab USA has announced that its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on August 27, 2025, a change of more than 30 days from the previous year’s meeting. Stockholders must submit proposals by June 19, 2025, to be included in the proxy materials, adhering to the company’s bylaws and SEC rules. This change in meeting date requires stockholders to adjust their proposal submission timelines, impacting their participation in the company’s governance.

The most recent analyst rating on (RKLB) stock is a Buy with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rocket Lab USA stock, see the RKLB Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Rocket Lab USA Acquires LightRidge for $275 Million
Positive
May 27, 2025

On May 22, 2025, Rocket Lab USA entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire all shares of LightRidge Interco Solutions Holdings, Inc., the owner of GEOST LLC, for $275 million. This acquisition marks Rocket Lab’s entry into the satellite payload segment, enhancing its position as a provider of end-to-end national security space solutions. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2025, includes potential additional earnout payments tied to revenue targets. By integrating GEOST’s advanced electro-optical and infrared payloads, Rocket Lab aims to deliver complete, mission-critical space solutions, strengthening its role as a disruptor in national security space.

The most recent analyst rating on (RKLB) stock is a Buy with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rocket Lab USA stock, see the RKLB Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Rocket Lab USA Announces Holding Company Reorganization
Positive
May 8, 2025

On May 8, 2025, Rocket Lab USA announced a holding company reorganization to be effective by June 1, 2025, aiming to create a more efficient structure for growth and risk management. This reorganization will involve a tax-free merger, with Rocket Lab Corporation becoming the successor issuer, and is expected to streamline operations and align with U.S. Government security requirements. Additionally, Rocket Lab reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with a 32% year-on-year revenue growth to $123 million, and provided a positive outlook for Q2 2025, highlighting its resilience and strategic expansions into new markets and acquisitions.

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.