New York, January 28, 2026, 14:58 EST — Regular session
- Rocket Lab shares climbed roughly 2.7% in afternoon trading, building on a strong bounce back from Tuesday.
- Investors are digesting new updates on Neutron hardware and a freshly announced earnings date of Feb. 26.
- Attention remains on Neutron’s timeline following a recent rupture during a qualification-test tank.
Shares of Rocket Lab climbed Wednesday, building on a recent rebound fueled by progress in its Neutron rocket program and anticipation around the upcoming earnings report. The stock gained $2.32, or 2.7%, to reach $89.32 as of 2:52 p.m. ET. 1
This matters because Rocket Lab’s valuation hinges heavily on Neutron, its medium-lift rocket still in development. Any update—whether progress or delay—can send the stock swinging sharply.
Rocket Lab is pushing hard to reassure investors that Neutron is still on schedule, despite navigating the tough phase of heavy testing and qualification. The current game? Balancing milestones against setbacks, and watching the clock tick.
On Monday, the company announced its “Hungry Hippo” captive fairing had landed in Virginia as it preps for Neutron’s first flight. The fairing, the rocket’s nose cone that shields satellites during liftoff, features Rocket Lab’s unique design that keeps its two halves connected throughout the mission to enable reuse. This setup is intended to boost launch frequency. 2
Rocket Lab plans to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results after the U.S. market closes on Feb. 26, followed by a conference call at 5 p.m. ET. The company hasn’t offered any guidance ahead of the report, but investors will be keen for any updates on the Neutron rocket’s timeline and capital expenditure. 3
But the risks are clear: Neutron remains a development project, and development tends to bring setbacks. On Jan. 21, Rocket Lab reported that Stage 1 tank qualification testing ended with a rupture during a hydrostatic pressure test. The company is now examining the data to assess how this might affect Neutron’s launch timeline. 4
RKLB’s volatility is clear. Shares dropped 9.5% on Jan. 26, then surged 8.1% the very next day, according to market data. 5
At this stage, traders are focusing on Rocket Lab’s schedule updates as much as on its revenue figures. The stock often reacts more to program developments than to quarterly profit margins.
All eyes turn to Feb. 26, when Rocket Lab reports earnings and fields questions. Investors want clarity on the Neutron schedule—will it hold steady or slip? They’ll also look for how management spins recent test results: a minor hiccup or a full reset?
