Rocket Lab Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 0/6
Rocket Lab's earnings have been declining at an average annual rate of -12.6%, while the Aerospace & Defense industry saw earnings growing at 19.2% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 41.7% per year.
Key information
-12.58%
Earnings growth rate
12.91%
EPS growth rate
| Aerospace & Defense Industry Growth | 5.38% |
| Revenue growth rate | 41.66% |
| Return on equity | -4.74% |
| Net Margin | -21.51% |
| Last Earnings Update | 30 Jun 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Sep 17
RKLB: Defense And Iridium Integration Will Define Vertically Integrated Future
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target has moved modestly lower to about $65 from roughly $68, as analysts factor in stronger projected revenue growth and slightly better profit margins, alongside higher execution and integration risks tied to Neutron and the Iridium acquisition. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Rocket Lab highlights a mix of optimism around its vertically integrated space platform and caution tied to valuation, execution risks, and the scale of its acquisition plans.Seeking Alpha • Sep 11
Rocket Lab's Core Business Makes The Neutron Gamble Worth Taking
Summary Rocket Lab Corporation is transitioning from a small launch provider to a diversified space infrastructure company, with Neutron as a key growth catalyst. Q2 revenue rose 62% to $234.1M, driven by space systems, while gross margins and cash burn remain critical metrics to monitor. RKLB holds a $2.36B backlog but must convert this into improved margins and cash flow amid ongoing dilution and capital needs. I assign RKLB a speculative ‘Buy’ with a realistic price target range of $78–$94, emphasizing prudent position sizing and close monitoring of execution risks. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaNarrative Update • Sep 03
RKLB: Defense Wins And Iridium Integration Will Shape Vertically Integrated Platform
Rocket Lab's analyst price target has been revised slightly lower in this update, reflecting a modest trim in fair value to $67.71 as analysts balance richer sector valuations with expectations for stronger revenue growth, marginally better profit margins, and a lower assumed discount rate supported by recent research highlighting vertically integrated launch capability, growing national security contracts, and the planned Iridium acquisition. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Rocket Lab points to a mixed but generally constructive tone.Narrative Update • Aug 18
RKLB: Defense Contract Execution Will Test Vertically Integrated Platform Narrative
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target has moved higher to $70.66 from $66.70, as analysts point to expanding national security contracts, the planned Iridium acquisition, and progress on the Neutron launch vehicle as key supports for the revised valuation assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Rocket Lab shows a broadly constructive view, with several firms lifting price targets and highlighting contract wins, backlog growth, and the planned Iridium acquisition.Narrative Update • Aug 04
RKLB: Iridium Integration And Defense Contracts Will Test Vertically Integrated Platform Narrative
Analysts have nudged their Rocket Lab fair value estimate higher to roughly $66.70 from about $64.40. This reflects updated price targets that reference the Iridium acquisition, new hypersonics launch awards, and a series of recent rating upgrades.
Narrative Update • Jul 21
RKLB: Iridium Acquisition Will Support Vertically Integrated Space Services Upside
The Rocket Lab analyst price target has been updated from $103.91 to $114.33. Analysts believe the planned Iridium acquisition, higher assumed revenue growth, and an expanded vertically integrated space services platform support a higher fair value, despite a slightly lower profit margin outlook and a very large forward P/E multiple.Narrative Update • Jul 07
RKLB: Iridium Deal Execution Risk Will Test Vertically Integrated Space Platform Narrative
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target has moved higher from about $47 to roughly $64, as analysts highlight the planned Iridium acquisition as a key driver for a more vertically integrated space services platform and for refined launch pricing expectations. Analyst Commentary Street research around Rocket Lab has been intensely focused on the proposed Iridium acquisition, with many analysts framing it as a key step toward a more complete space services platform that couples launch, spacecraft manufacturing, and communications services under one roof.
Narrative Update • Jun 23
RKLB: Expanding National Security Backlog Will Drive Future Earnings Power
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target of $150, supported by research pointing to higher modeled revenue growth alongside more cautious profit margin and P/E assumptions, reflects a recalibration of expectations as analysts weigh the company's position in a tight launch market against its path toward profitability. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Rocket Lab highlights a cluster of bullish analysts who are refining their views on the stock, with several changes to ratings and price targets that speak directly to expectations for execution, growth, and valuation discipline.Analysis Article • Jun 16
Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock Could Be 28.5% Overvalued After Its Strong Run
Recent Price Moves Put Rocket Lab Stock in Focus Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock has swung sharply, with a gain over the past 3 months and a large 1-year total return, even as the share price declined over the past month. See our latest analysis for Rocket Lab. At a share price of $109.25, Rocket Lab has seen short term share price momentum fade with a 30 day share price return of down 12.44%, even as longer term total shareholder returns have been very strong. If you are looking beyond Rocket Lab...Narrative Update • Jun 08
RKLB: National Security Space Backlog Will Drive Future Earnings Power
Rocket Lab's analyst price target has shifted from $105.00 to about $149.03 as analysts point to industry launch under supply, an expanding backlog, infrastructure advantages, and a core business that is closer to profitability. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts have been steadily lifting their fair value estimates for Rocket Lab, pointing to a mix of execution in the launch business, an expanding backlog, and progress toward a more profitable core operation.Narrative Update • May 25
RKLB: Future Space Systems Backlog Delivery Risks May Restrain Elevated Expectations
Rocket Lab’s updated fair value estimate has shifted from about $87 to roughly $104, as analysts point to a series of higher price targets and new Buy ratings that emphasize the stock’s role as a scaled Western launch and space systems platform, as well as views that its potential share of the broader space economy is still being underappreciated. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Rocket Lab has centered on its role as a scaled Western launch and space systems platform, with several analysts updating ratings and price targets following earnings, backlog commentary, and sector-wide space coverage launches.Narrative Update • May 01
RKLB: National Security Payload Backlog Will Support Long Term Earnings Power
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target of $105.00, down from $119.85, reflects analysts' higher revenue growth assumptions, slightly lower long term margin expectations, a modestly higher discount rate, and reduced future P/E multiples following a wave of recent target hikes and rating changes across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research shows a cluster of bullish analysts lifting price targets and, in some cases, ratings for Rocket Lab, reflecting growing confidence in the company’s execution and long term growth potential.
New Narrative • Apr 29
Defense Backlog And Vertical Integration Will Drive Rocket Lab Toward $85 Despite Neutron Execution Risk
Key Takeaways Rocket Lab is mid-transformation from a small-launch specialist into a vertically integrated space and defense prime, with Space Systems now ~67% of revenue and growing fastest. A $1.85B backlog (+73% YoY) anchored by the $816M SDA Tranche 3 award provides multi-year revenue visibility that the current trailing P/S of ~72x doesn't yet fully reflect.Narrative Update • Apr 16
RKLB: Future Launch Cadence And Backlog Execution Will Shape Balanced Risk Profile
Analysts trimmed the fair value estimate for Rocket Lab by about $3 to reflect more conservative profit margin and revenue growth inputs, even as recent upgrades and higher price targets across the Street point to continued interest in the stock. Analyst Commentary Street research in recent weeks has focused on how Rocket Lab executes on launch cadence, integrates acquisitions, and scales space systems, with several firms adjusting price targets and ratings as expectations reset.Narrative Update • Apr 01
RKLB: National Security Payload Backlog Will Drive Long Term Upside
The analyst price target for Rocket Lab edges higher to $119.85 from $119.10 as analysts factor in slightly stronger revenue growth assumptions, a modestly higher long term profit margin, and a marginally lower discount rate, while keeping future P/E expectations broadly similar. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on Rocket Lab reflect a mix of enthusiasm and caution, with bullish analysts highlighting execution in launch and space systems, alongside new growth avenues from acquisitions and government programs, while more neutral and bearish voices focus on timing risks and the market already pricing in key growth drivers.Narrative Update • Mar 18
RKLB: Space Systems Momentum And National Security Payloads Will Drive Long Term Upside
Rocket Lab's updated analyst price target of $119.10, up from $120.00, reflects a recalibration that factors in higher modeled revenue growth, a slightly lower profit margin, and recent analyst enthusiasm around space systems momentum, a growing launch cadence, and the Geost acquisition as a new payload offering for U.S. National Security Missions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research shows a cluster of bullish analysts lifting their price targets on Rocket Lab after the latest quarterly update and the Geost acquisition.Narrative Update • Mar 04
RKLB: Future Launch Cadence And Backlog Strength Will Offset Testing Setbacks
Narrative Update Our analyst price target for Rocket Lab moves higher to $89.88 from $83.96, reflecting Street research that points to improved margin expectations, a lower assumed future P/E multiple, and supportive commentary around launch execution, space systems backlog, and new payload opportunities such as the Geost acquisition and Golden Domes work. Analyst Commentary Street research around Rocket Lab has tilted more positive overall, with several bullish analysts lifting their price targets and a smaller group of cautious voices flagging execution and growth expectations as areas to watch.
New Narrative • Mar 04
Rocket Lab: A Growth Story Trading on the Future of Space Economy
Rocket Lab represents a company in transition. It is no longer simply a small-launch provider, yet it has not fully matured into a profitable aerospace contractor.New Narrative • Mar 02
Rocket Lab - Stock Narrative
Rocket Lab today is a niche company accelerating through development in the aerospace industry, financially stronger than its early stage reputation suggests, but still very much in an early, speculative phase, yet to see any profits. Based in the United States, they provide international launch services and space systems solutions, in the early phase of development and scaling with cutting edge technologies such as the Neutron rocket on the horizon..New Narrative • Feb 21
Rocket Lab (RKLB): A Rising Challenger in the Space Economy
Rocket Lab has rapidly evolved from a niche small-satellite launch provider into one of the most compelling end-to-end space companies in the market. With ambitions that stretch far beyond launching rockets, the company is positioning itself as a serious long-term competitor in the rapidly expanding space economy.Narrative Update • Feb 18
RKLB: Future Launch Cadence Will Offset Neutron Testing Setbacks
Analysts recently lifted their Rocket Lab fair value estimate from $68.75 to $83.96, citing updated assumptions around revenue growth, discount rates and long term P/E multiples following a mix of price target changes, rating moves and launch timing commentary across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research paints a mixed picture around Rocket Lab, with several bullish voices adjusting price targets upward while others question how much upside is already reflected in the shares.Narrative Update • Feb 04
RKLB: Launch Execution And Space Systems Mix Will Drive Long-Term Upside
Analysts have nudged their Rocket Lab price targets higher by about $20 to $60, citing a mix of higher targets from BofA, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Stifel, partially offset by a KeyBanc downgrade that argues much of the growth story is already well known. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Rocket Lab reflects a split view, with bullish analysts lifting targets and highlighting execution on both launch and space systems, while others flag timeline and valuation risks.Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
How Rocket Lab makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.
Earnings and Revenue History
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | G+A Expenses | R&D Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 26 | 769 | -165 | 187 | 312 |
| 31 Mar 26 | 680 | -183 | 167 | 296 |
| 31 Dec 25 | 602 | -198 | 165 | 271 |
| 30 Sep 25 | 555 | -198 | 165 | 240 |
| 30 Jun 25 | 504 | -231 | 152 | 217 |
| 31 Mar 25 | 466 | -207 | 142 | 191 |
| 31 Dec 24 | 436 | -190 | 132 | 174 |
| 30 Sep 24 | 364 | -188 | 117 | 164 |
| 30 Jun 24 | 327 | -177 | 112 | 143 |
| 31 Mar 24 | 282 | -181 | 111 | 134 |
| 31 Dec 23 | 245 | -183 | 110 | 119 |
| 30 Sep 23 | 236 | -169 | 108 | 97 |
| 30 Jun 23 | 232 | -163 | 104 | 87 |
| 31 Mar 23 | 225 | -155 | 94 | 76 |
| 31 Dec 22 | 211 | -136 | 89 | 65 |
| 30 Sep 22 | 187 | -96 | 84 | 62 |
| 30 Jun 22 | 129 | -149 | 87 | 59 |
| 31 Mar 22 | 85 | -128 | 75 | 48 |
| 31 Dec 21 | 62 | -117 | 58 | 42 |
| 30 Sep 21 | 50 | -139 | 45 | 38 |
| 30 Jun 21 | 56 | -64 | 25 | 29 |
| 31 Mar 21 | 52 | -57 | 24 | 23 |
| 31 Dec 20 | 35 | -55 | 23 | 19 |
| 31 Dec 19 | 48 | -30 | 19 | 13 |
Quality Earnings: RKLB is currently unprofitable.
Growing Profit Margin: RKLB is currently unprofitable.
Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis
Past Earnings Growth Analysis
Earnings Trend: RKLB is unprofitable, and losses have increased over the past 5 years at a rate of 12.6% per year.
Accelerating Growth: Unable to compare RKLB's earnings growth over the past year to its 5-year average as it is currently unprofitable
Earnings vs Industry: RKLB is unprofitable, making it difficult to compare its past year earnings growth to the Aerospace & Defense industry (28.9%).
Return on Equity
High ROE: RKLB has a negative Return on Equity (-4.74%), as it is currently unprofitable.
Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/09/21 03:51 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/09/18 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/06/30 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Rocket Lab Corporation is covered by 30 analysts. 20 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Peter Arment | Baird |
| Michael Filatov | Berenberg |
| Ronald Epstein | BofA Global Research |