Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) Shares Gap Down on Insider Selling

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB)’s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday after an insider sold shares in the company. The stock had previously closed at $77.55, but opened at $73.81. Rocket Lab shares last traded at $75.8940, with a volume of 4,100,994 shares traded.

Specifically, Director Nina Armagno sold 27,314 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.21, for a total value of $1,863,087.94. Following the transaction, the director owned 108,940 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,430,797.40. This trade represents a 20.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Merline Saintil sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total transaction of $325,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 388,529 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,254,385. This represents a 1.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In other news, Director Merline Saintil sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.46, for a total value of $272,300.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 393,529 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $21,431,589.34. This trade represents a 1.25% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Rocket Lab from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on Rocket Lab from $63.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Rocket Lab from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 13th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Rocket Lab in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $83.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $61.25.

Key Rocket Lab News

Here are the key news stories impacting Rocket Lab this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Won a material U.S. Space Development Agency contract (reported roughly $805–$816M), which adds a sizable backlog and recurring revenue visibility for Rocket Lab’s space systems business. Rocket Lab Stock Surges as Company Secures $816 Million Space Development Contract
• Positive Sentiment: Needham and other analysts raised targets/ratings (Needham lifted its street‑high target to $90), driving buy-side momentum and providing bullish research headlines. Rocket Lab price target raised to $90 from $63 at Needham
• Positive Sentiment: Operational proof points: Rocket Lab completed its 21st Electron launch of the year with 100% mission success, supporting credibility for repeat commercial and defense missions. Rocket Lab Successfully Launches for iQPS, Ends 2025 with 21 Launches and 100% Mission Success
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector tailwinds (increased U.S. space/defense spending) are boosting RKLB alongside peers — supportive but raises correlation to broader space/defense moves. Space stocks rocket higher as sector optimism gains steam into 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage is mixed beneath the headlines; several upgrades coexist with more conservative median targets, keeping a valuation debate alive. RKLB vs. AVAV: Which Stock Looks Better in the Space Race?
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling accelerated this month: Director Nina Armagno sold 27,314 shares (~$1.86M); other director/exec sales were reported — increases supply and may concern some investors despite many trades being executed under preplanned programs. SEC Filing: Nina Armagno Sale
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation risk after a ~177% YTD run — commentators warn RKLB could be priced for perfection; any delays in Neutron development, contract execution or launch cadence could trigger a pullback. Rocket Lab Valuation Check After Landmark Contract Win

Rocket Lab Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 3.18 and a quick ratio of 2.83. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $55.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.89 billion, a PE ratio of -201.45 and a beta of 2.20.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The rocket manufacturer reported ($0.03) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.05) by $0.02. Rocket Lab had a negative return on equity of 27.26% and a negative net margin of 35.64%.The firm had revenue of $155.08 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $152.45 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.10) earnings per share. Rocket Lab’s revenue for the quarter was up 48.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Rocket Lab Corporation will post -0.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Rocket Lab

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rocket Lab in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $192,918,000. Sender Co & Partners Inc. bought a new position in Rocket Lab during the first quarter worth $621,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in Rocket Lab by 44.7% in the second quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 992,777 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $35,512,000 after purchasing an additional 306,713 shares during the period. McGuire Investment Group LLC increased its stake in Rocket Lab by 91.3% during the second quarter. McGuire Investment Group LLC now owns 196,107 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock valued at $7,015,000 after purchasing an additional 93,613 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Rocket Lab during the second quarter valued at $1,009,000. Institutional investors own 71.78% of the company’s stock.

Rocket Lab Company Profile

Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft, and space systems for commercial and government customers. The company’s primary launch vehicle is Electron, a small-lift orbital rocket designed to deploy small satellites and rideshare payloads to low Earth orbit. Rocket Lab also develops and manufactures the Rutherford engine, noted for its electric-pump-fed design and additive-manufactured components, which powers Electron and supports the company’s propulsion capabilities.