Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) Trading Up 3.6% – Still a Buy?

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB)’s share price shot up 3.6% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $70.99 and last traded at $69.89. 11,921,705 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 49% from the average session volume of 23,578,691 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.44.

Trending Headlines about Rocket Lab

Here are the key news stories impacting Rocket Lab this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Successful launch drove buying interest and helped lift the stock as investors respond to confirmed operational execution. Rocket Lab Stock Jumps Amid Launch Success
• Positive Sentiment: Broader strength across aerospace, defense and space names — amplified by rising geopolitical tensions — pushed RKLB higher as sector ETFs rallied. Rocket Lab Stock Rebounds As Space, Defense Names Rally
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts note Rocket Lab’s continued revenue growth and operational track record (Electron launches, Space Systems backlog), supporting the case that near‑term setbacks may be temporary. One Space Stock Delivers Revenue Growth Despite Delays While Its Rival Disappoints Entirely
• Neutral Sentiment: MarketBeat flags the Feb. 26 earnings call as pivotal — investors will focus on updated Neutron timelines, Q4 revenue vs. guidance, margins and backlog conversion; results could swing sentiment either way. Rocket Lab Earnings Loom as Neutron Timeline Takes Center Stage
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent analyst write-ups and pairwise comparisons with peers provide mixed takes — useful context but not new company-specific catalysts. Analyzing Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) & TAT Technologies (NASDAQ:TATT)
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage highlights a recent development setback: a Stage 1 tank rupture during Neutron qualification testing. That incident increased uncertainty around the maiden flight timeline and has weighed on the stock. Should You Buy Rocket Lab Before Feb. 26
• Negative Sentiment: Several outlets note a significant pullback (roughly ~26–30% from recent highs) tied to Neutron timeline uncertainty and broader risk‑off sentiment — a reminder that execution risk is priced in ahead of the earnings update. One Space Stock Delivers Revenue Growth Despite Delays While Its Rival Disappoints Entirely

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on RKLB shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on Rocket Lab from $63.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Rocket Lab from $47.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of Rocket Lab in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of 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, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.92.

Rocket Lab Stock Up 2.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 3.18 and a quick ratio of 2.83. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $76.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -201.53 and a beta of 2.16.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Merline Saintil sold 96,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.58, for a total transaction of $8,311,680.00. Following the sale, the director owned 292,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,327,160.82. This trade represents a 24.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Adam C. Spice sold 1,365,665 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.50, for a total value of $103,107,707.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 1,359,568 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $102,647,384. This trade represents a 50.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 4,306,150 shares of company stock worth $271,865,732 in the last 90 days. 11.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rocket Lab

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RKLB. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Rocket Lab by 114.0% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 174,308 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock valued at $3,117,000 after acquiring an additional 92,849 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Rocket Lab by 1,812.1% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 36,807 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock valued at $658,000 after purchasing an additional 34,882 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in Rocket Lab by 53.8% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 15,745 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 5,507 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in Rocket Lab by 13.3% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 773,548 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $13,831,000 after purchasing an additional 90,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth raised its stake in Rocket Lab by 1.0% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 67,584 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $1,206,000 after purchasing an additional 681 shares during the period. 71.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.