NEW YORK, January 20, 2026, 07:54 EST — Premarket
- Rocket Lab shares dip in light premarket trading following Friday’s close close to record highs
- Goldman raises its price target but holds onto a Neutral rating; investors debate the implications already factored into the stock
- Tariff news drags futures lower, traders brace for a risk-off start
Rocket Lab Corporation shares slipped 3.6% to $92.86 in early Tuesday trading, after closing Friday at $96.30. The stock hit a recent peak of $99.58 and is still well ahead since January. 1
The stock dipped early after a new brokerage note landed: Goldman Sachs analyst Anthony Valentini bumped up his price target on Rocket Lab to $69 from $47, though he maintained a Neutral rating. He highlighted “defense tech momentum emphasizes faster, commercial-style providers.” 2
Why it matters now: Rocket Lab has turned into a favorite among space-sector investors and often magnifies the prevailing sentiment around high-growth stocks. Premarket swings can seem overstated, given the thin trading volumes before the market opens.
Sentiment turned sour. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures dropped to their lowest levels in a month as investors came back from the long weekend facing fresh tariff threats linked to President Donald Trump’s bid to take control of Greenland; the VIX volatility index hit a two-month peak, Reuters reported. “If the crisis deepens it is unlikely to spell good news for global equities,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. 3
Rocket Lab, known for its Electron small-satellite rocket and spacecraft hardware, is now working on the bigger Neutron rocket. The company positions itself as a full-service space player, covering everything from launches to space systems.
The story has strong momentum on paper. According to a report from investment firm Seraphim Space, global spending on space technology is set to climb again in 2026, fueled by defense-related satellite systems and private investments in launch capacity. Lucas Bishop, an analyst at Seraphim Space, noted that “a potential SpaceX IPO could act as a powerful catalyst.” 4
Rocket Lab’s recent price moves have tightened the margin for error. In times of market caution, pricey growth stories are the first to face scrutiny, even if their long-term outlook remains solid.
The downside scenario is straightforward. A slowdown in launch pace, a delay in Neutron’s schedule, or slimmer margins on new contracts could quickly sour sentiment. The stock has already demonstrated sharp moves on isolated headlines.
Investors are zeroing in on the next milestone: Rocket Lab’s last earnings came out Nov. 10, 2025, with the next update due Feb. 26, 2026, according to Public.com data. Traders usually keep a close watch on revenue growth, cash burn, and forward guidance at these reports. 5
Rocket Lab’s mission schedule reveals multiple Electron launches planned for 2026, featuring clients like the European Space Agency, NASA, and the U.S. Space Force. 6
