Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares were trading lower in Friday's premarket trade as the company gears up for its next hypersonic test mission tied to the Defense Innovation Unit.
The stock closed Thursday down 5.19%, extending a choppy stretch for space names as investors continue rotating out of the group and revisit financing risk across capital-intensive operators.
Rocket Lab Doubles Down On Hypersonic Testing
Still, the sentiment found some support after Rocket Lab detailed its Cassowary Vex mission—targeting liftoff no earlier than late February—which will use the company's HASTE rocket to deploy a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Hypersonix.
This launch marks the company’s fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, showcasing its commitment to enhancing the U.S. hypersonic test capabilities.
The mission is part of a broader strategy to lower costs and increase the test launch tempo for the United States and its allies, aiming to provide unprecedented control over flight profiles and environments up to Mach 20.
This capability is crucial for maintaining U.S. space superiority and reflects Rocket Lab’s innovative approach in the competitive aerospace sector.
Meanwhile, the broader market experienced mixed results on the previous trading day, with the Nasdaq declining by 0.07% and the S&P 500 down by 0.08%. Despite this, Rocket Lab’s stock is moving higher, indicating that company-specific news may be driving its performance independent of broader market trends.
Technical Analysis
The stock is currently trading 18.1% below its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 3.6% above its 100-day SMA, demonstrating some longer-term strength despite recent volatility. Over the past 12 months, shares have increased by 133.25%, and they are currently positioned closer to their 52-week highs than lows, reflecting a strong upward trend.
The RSI is at 40.97, which is considered neutral territory, while the MACD is below its signal line, indicating bearish pressure on the stock. The combination of neutral RSI and bearish MACD suggests mixed momentum.
- Key Resistance: $67.50
- Key Support: $58.50
Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron and Neutron launch vehicles and Photon satellite platform, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, and climate monitoring.
The upcoming hypersonic test mission is significant for Rocket Lab as it highlights the company’s role in restoring U.S. hypersonic capabilities. With a focus on innovation and execution, Rocket Lab is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for space services.
Earnings & Analyst Outlook
The countdown is on: Rocket Lab Corporation is set to report earnings on February 26, 2026.
- EPS Estimate: Loss of 9 cents (Up from Loss of 10 cents YoY)
- Revenue Estimate: $178.07 million (Up from $132.39 million YoY)
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy Rating with an average price target of $64.00. Recent analyst moves include:
- Goldman Sachs: Neutral (Raises Target to $69.00) (Jan. 20)
- B of A Securities: Buy (Raises Target to $120.00) (Jan. 20)
- Morgan Stanley: Upgraded to Overweight (Raises Target to $105.00) (Jan. 16)
Benzinga Edge Rankings
Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Rocket Lab, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
- Momentum: Strong (Score: 95.43) — Stock is outperforming the broader market.
The Verdict: Rocket Lab’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a strong momentum score, indicating that the stock is currently on an upward trajectory. This momentum, combined with the upcoming earnings report, suggests that investors should keep a close eye on the stock’s performance in the coming weeks.
ETF Exposure
- SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE:XAR): 5.66% Weight
- ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (BATS:ARKQ): 6.08% Weight
- ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (NASDAQ:ARKX): 9.16% Weight
Significance: Because RKLB carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.
RKLB Price Action: Rocket Lab shares were down 0.92% at $65.40 during premarket trading on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo Courtesy: JHVEPhoto via Shutterstock
