Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Posted by Anthony Miller on May 8th, 2026

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB – Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The rocket manufacturer reported ($0.07) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.07), FiscalAI reports. Rocket Lab had a negative net margin of 26.87% and a negative return on equity of 14.18%. The company had revenue of $200.35 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $189.65 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.12) earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 63.4% on a year-over-year basis.

Here are the key takeaways from Rocket Lab’s conference call:

Record Q1 performance — revenue topped $200.3 million (+63% YoY), GAAP gross margin was 38.2%, backlog exceeded $2 billion, and cash on hand was $1.48 billion with >$2 billion in total liquidity.
Strong launch momentum — Rocket Lab booked a record 31 Electron/HASTE missions, a $190M 20‑launch HASTE order, and five Neutron flights (its largest contract), driving a record launch backlog and robust customer demand.
Neutron development advancing — tank refinements, stage‑separation tests, Archimedes engine hot fires, and the large landing barge are progressing toward a first launch later this year, but outcomes hinge on remaining qualification and flight tests.
Accelerating vertical integration — acquisitions (Motiv, Mynaric), the in‑house Gauss electric thruster production line, and expanded European footprint should broaden TAM, reduce supply risk, and improve cost/control on satellite subsystems.
Elevated cash burn and capex — Q1 non‑GAAP free cash flow was a use of $77.4 million (GAAP operating cash flow used $50.3 million), and management expects continued negative FCF as Neutron and program investments scale.

Rocket Lab Stock Up 34.0%

Rocket Lab stock traded up $26.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $105.31. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 79,372,448 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,702,224. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 3.61 and a current ratio of 4.08. Rocket Lab has a twelve month low of $20.23 and a twelve month high of $105.62. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $72.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.50.

Insider Activity at Rocket Lab

In other news, Director Merline Saintil sold 18,126 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.04, for a total value of $1,360,175.04. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 261,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,653,201.12. This trade represents a 6.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Adam C. Spice sold 62,744 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.59, for a total transaction of $4,366,354.96. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 1,296,824 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $90,245,982.16. This represents a 4.61% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 233,449 shares of company stock valued at $16,487,233 in the last ninety days. 8.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rocket Lab

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Rocket Lab during the 3rd quarter worth $224,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Rocket Lab by 100.9% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 4,589 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock valued at $220,000 after buying an additional 2,305 shares during the last quarter. Bayesian Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Rocket Lab in the second quarter valued at $218,000. Certuity LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rocket Lab during the third quarter valued at $217,000. Finally, Terra Nova Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rocket Lab during the third quarter valued at $214,000. 71.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on RKLB. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Rocket Lab from $47.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Rocket Lab from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. KeyCorp lowered Rocket Lab from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Citizens Jmp boosted their price target on Rocket Lab from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rocket Lab currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $90.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab News Summary

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

Positive Sentiment: Rocket Lab posted record Q1 revenue of about $200.3 million, topping estimates and rising roughly 63% year over year, while EPS came in line with expectations. Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) Reports Q1 Loss, Beats Revenue Estimates
Positive Sentiment: The company raised second-quarter revenue guidance to $225 million-$240 million, above Wall Street forecasts, signaling continued momentum into the rest of 2026. Rocket Lab Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Positive Sentiment: Rocket Lab signed the largest launch contract in its history, including multiple Neutron and Electron missions for a confidential customer, which expands its backlog and improves revenue visibility. Rocket Lab’s Biggest Launch Deal Yet
Positive Sentiment: Additional defense-related wins, including a $30 million HASTE hypersonic launch contract with Anduril and a Space Force demonstration with Raytheon, reinforce demand for Rocket Lab’s launch and space-systems capabilities. Rocket Lab Awarded $30 Million Contract for HASTE Hypersonic Rocket Launches for Anduril
Positive Sentiment: Rocket Lab said it ended the quarter with a record backlog of about $2.2 billion, suggesting strong future demand and supporting the case that the company may move closer to profitability. Rocket Lab’s stock rises upon new signs its business is expanding rapidly
Neutral Sentiment: Brokerage firms lifted price targets and one firm upgraded the stock, but several targets still sit below the current share price, making the analyst signal supportive but mixed. Benzinga analyst update

About Rocket Lab

(Get Free Report)

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.