New York, Jan 14, 2026, 17:36 EST — Trading after hours.
Shares of Rocket Lab Corporation climbed 6% to finish at $91.80 Wednesday, following Cantor Fitzgerald’s reaffirmation of its “Overweight” rating. The firm highlighted key 2026 targets, such as the launch of the Neutron rocket, Benzinga reported. In after-hours trading, the stock dipped roughly 0.6%, according to Public.com data, after fluctuating between $84.53 and $92.17 during the day. Investing.com
This matters because Rocket Lab has become a popular bet on two fronts: a growing U.S. defense space pipeline and the push to develop reusable rockets beyond SpaceX. Once the stock breaks out, it often continues trending — up or down.
Rocket Lab, known for its Electron rocket and satellite hardware, posted a record $155 million in revenue for the third quarter. The company announced that its Neutron rocket will be ready at Launch Complex 3 in Virginia by Q1 2026, aiming for a first launch shortly after, pending testing. “We’ve once again delivered record revenue of $155m at record GAAP gross margin of 37%,” said founder and CEO Peter Beck.
Much of the recent optimism centers on defense work. In December, Rocket Lab secured an $816 million prime contract from the Space Development Agency. As lead contractor, the company will design and build 18 missile-warning and tracking satellites for the agency’s “Tracking Layer Tranche 3,” a low-Earth-orbit missile defense network in the works. “Rocket Lab is honored to play a role in enabling this,” Beck said.
The contract falls within a larger initiative led by the agency operating under the U.S. Space Force. The SDA has issued orders worth $3.5 billion to Rocket Lab, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies to develop 72 infrared satellites, Reuters reported.
Cantor’s reiteration came as Rocket Lab was already factored in for smooth performance. Simply put, an “Overweight” rating signals the broker anticipates the stock will outperform its peers, not that the company carries excess weight on its balance sheet.
The upside still hinges on hardware and timing. Any delay in Neutron’s maiden flight or a setback on a key mission could quickly sour sentiment. Plus, large fixed-price government contracts risk squeezing margins if expenses outpace expectations.
Rocket Lab is positioning Neutron as an upgrade from Electron — a bigger, reusable rocket designed to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the constellation launch market. Investors are closely monitoring if Rocket Lab can ramp up satellite production without letting cash burn spiral out of control.
Rocket Lab’s next earnings report is penciled in for about Feb. 26, according to Nasdaq. Investors will be watching closely for updates on Neutron testing progress, satellite contract momentum, and any changes in cash burn.
Thursday’s key question is straightforward: will RKLB stay above $90 following another volatile session, or is the stock headed for a pullback like some earlier stretches of its recent rally?
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