Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) Trading 3.5% Higher – Still a Buy?
by Tristan Rich · The Markets DailyRocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB – Get Free Report) traded up 3.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $72.73 and last traded at $71.93. 28,387,176 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 31% from the average session volume of 21,691,352 shares. The stock had previously closed at $69.48.
More Rocket Lab News
Here are the key news stories impacting Rocket Lab this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Won a record $190 million Department of War contract for 20 HASTE hypersonic launches, lifting backlog above $2 billion and reinforcing Rocket Lab’s defense positioning and recurring-launch demand. This deal is the single largest launch contract in company history and boosts revenue visibility. Rocket Lab Secures $190M Contract for 20x HASTE Launches
- Positive Sentiment: Deutsche Bank raised its price target to $73 and reiterated a Buy rating, signaling institutional confidence that recent contract wins and program execution support higher valuation. Deutsche Bank Raises Rocket Lab (RKLB) Price Target to $73
- Positive Sentiment: Company added fresh capital (described as a ~$1B “war chest”) to scale production and infrastructure around large defense awards, improving its ability to execute on multi-year government programs. That financial flexibility reduces execution risk for contracted work. Rocket Lab’s $1 Billion War Chest: Arming the New Defense Prime
- Positive Sentiment: Operational momentum: back-to-back/dual Electron launches and faster turnaround times highlight Rocket Lab’s improving launch cadence and reliability—factors that attract both commercial and government customers. Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock Surges 10% on Dual Launch Announcement
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and retail narratives frame RKLB as high‑risk/high‑reward: long-term bulls point to space/defense secular growth while critics note execution and capital needs—suitable for long-term, high-volatility investors. Better Space Stock to Buy With $2,000 and Hold for 10 Years: Rocket Lab vs. Joby Aviation
- Neutral Sentiment: RKLB remains extremely volatile (big run the past year); new ETFs and options strategies are emerging to monetize that volatility, which can attract income-seeking investors but increase short-term trading flows. Rocket Lab Is One of the Most Volatile Stocks Ever. This ETF Turns That Wild Ride Into a Weekly Paycheck
- Negative Sentiment: Filed for a potential $1 billion equity offering, triggering dilution fears that have caused intraday pullbacks and weighing on near-term sentiment despite contract wins. Rocket Lab Shares Tank After $1 Billion Share Sale Sparks Dilution Fears
- Negative Sentiment: Pre-market/after-hours swings and analyst note downgrades/comments have produced short-term selling episodes—highlighting sensitivity to headlines and filings. Why Is Rocket Lab Stock (RKLB) Falling in Pre- Market Today, 03-18-26?
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Rocket Lab from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Rocket Lab from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. KeyCorp downgraded Rocket Lab from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Rocket Lab from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Rocket Lab has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $75.92.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab Price Performance
The company has a market capitalization of $38.35 billion, a P/E ratio of -194.02 and a beta of 2.20. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $76.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $63.51. The company has a quick ratio of 3.61, a current ratio of 4.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, SVP Arjun Kampani sold 23,711 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.95, for a total transaction of $1,706,006.45. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 397,988 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $28,635,236.60. The trade was a 5.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Frank Klein sold 36,768 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.95, for a total value of $2,645,457.60. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 1,088,237 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $78,298,652.15. The trade was a 3.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 1,842,428 shares of company stock valued at $138,708,183 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 11.90% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rocket Lab
Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RKLB. Aventura Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rocket Lab in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Rocket Lab during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in shares of Rocket Lab during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Rocket Lab during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Rocket Lab during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. 71.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Rocket Lab Company Profile
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft, and space systems for commercial and government customers. The company’s primary launch vehicle is Electron, a small-lift orbital rocket designed to deploy small satellites and rideshare payloads to low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab also develops and manufactures the Rutherford engine, noted for its electric-pump-fed design and additive-manufactured components, which powers Electron and supports the company’s propulsion capabilities.