Key Highlights
- Rocket Lab delivered exceptional Q1 revenue of $200.3M, marking a 63.5% increase compared to the same period last year and surpassing analyst expectations of $190M.
- The company achieved gross profit of $76.5M, exceeding Wall Street’s projection of $73M.
- Second quarter revenue guidance of $225M–$240M significantly outpaces analyst consensus of $205M.
- The company’s backlog reached an all-time high of $2.2B, representing a 20.2% sequential increase.
- Recent contract awards feature the Golden Dome Space Based Interceptor initiative with Raytheon, hypersonic testing missions for Anduril, and the pending acquisition of robotics manufacturer Motiv Space Systems.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock experienced a significant 7.5% surge in premarket sessions, reaching $84.53, following the aerospace company’s announcement of exceptional quarterly results and multiple strategic contract wins on Thursday.
First quarter revenue totaled $200.3 million, comfortably exceeding analyst consensus estimates of approximately $190 million. The company’s gross profit reached $76.5 million, similarly outperforming the $73 million forecast.
Looking at year-over-year comparisons, Rocket Lab generated $122.6 million in revenue and $35.2 million in gross profit during the corresponding quarter last year. This translates to impressive 63.5% revenue growth over a 12-month period.
The company achieved a GAAP gross margin of 38.2% — marking a new company milestone.
The stock had already demonstrated impressive momentum, climbing more than 250% throughout the previous 12 months before Thursday’s earnings release. The premarket movement further extends this remarkable performance.
Second Quarter Outlook Exceeds Projections
Rocket Lab provided Q2 revenue guidance ranging from $225 million to $240 million. This forecast significantly exceeds Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $205 million, with the midpoint surpassing expectations by approximately $27 million.
The company anticipates non-GAAP gross margins for the second quarter to fall between 38% and 40%.
Rocket Lab concluded the first quarter with a record-setting backlog valued at $2.2 billion, reflecting a 20.2% increase from the previous quarter. The company maintains robust liquidity exceeding $2 billion.
During the first quarter, Rocket Lab secured 31 new launch contracts for Electron and HASTE missions, alongside five dedicated Neutron launch agreements. The company reports that its Q1 2026 launch sales exceeded the entire volume for 2025. The current launch manifest encompasses more than 70 contracted missions.
Strategic Partnerships and Business Expansion
Rocket Lab earned selection to contribute to the Department of War’s Space Based Interceptor initiative — a component of President Trump’s Golden Dome for America program — working alongside Raytheon.
The company will support Anduril’s hypersonic weapons testing operations through the MACH-TB program, which Rocket Lab characterizes as a record-breaking agreement.
Rocket Lab completed its acquisition of Mynaric AG, a laser optical communications technology provider that establishes the company’s inaugural European presence.
The aerospace firm entered into a binding agreement to purchase Motiv Space Systems, a robotics specialist with proven Mars mission hardware. This strategic acquisition aims to vertically integrate solar array drive assemblies and additional precision engineering components.
The company unveiled Gauss, an innovative electric satellite propulsion system engineered for high-volume manufacturing to serve both commercial operators and national security constellation programs.
Development of the Neutron medium-lift launch vehicle continues advancing, with initial flight hardware now undergoing integration and Archimedes engine qualification testing progressing. Rocket Lab aims to conduct Neutron’s inaugural launch within this calendar year.
CEO Peter Beck stated the company is “already embedded in the most demanding and significant space programs of our generation.”
