Rocket Lab’s Stock (RKLB) Begins 2025 With Bulls Firmly In Charge

Rocket Lab's stock (NASDAQ: RKLB) was a huge gainer through 2024, with an increase of more than 350% making RKLB a standout in a strong Nasdaq. The prominent name in the space industry has continued in the same vein in early 2025, with the first three trading sessions of the year seeing further growth of 13.25%. This impressive performance has caught the attention of many, with the chart consolidating near highs.

Despite the enthusiasm, there are inherent risks. Rocket Lab's market capitalisation stands at more than $14 billion, a figure deemed substantial given its current sales figures and lack of profitability. Such valuation metrics are a crucial consideration for potential investors. Analysts project that Rocket Lab may generate nearly $1 billion in revenue by 2027, aligning with expectations of achieving profitability in the long term.

The broader space economy also presents promising opportunities. It is projected to have a total addressable market worth $1.8 trillion by the mid-2030s. Consequently, the growth prospects within the industry are substantial, and Rocket Lab is well-placed to leverage these opportunities. However, the high capital expenditure required for building rockets and satellites remains a challenge for the company. Future performance will undoubtedly rely on its ability to manage these costs effectively.

Despite some positive commentary from market analysts and a majority ‘Buy' rating or equivalent, price targets on Rocket Lab have struggled to keep pace with price action.

The high mark of $30 is held by Roth MKM in an upgrade (from $25) late November, with the firm seeing the inaugural launch on Neutron midway through this year a “significant catalyst”. Also late last year were target hikes from Citi ($22 from $13), Morgan Stanley ($18 from $6.50), BofA ($30 from $10), and Cantor Fitzgerald ($24 from $7), amongst others.

For investors considering Rocket Lab, understanding the fundamentals, and considering the risk after such a run is important. The final month of 2024 gave the stock some time to consolidate for a period after an earlier breakneck trajectory, with the next move keenly watched.

While Rocket Lab's stock has demonstrated substantial growth, evaluating its long-term potential requires considering both the promising aspects of the space economy and the challenges inherent in the company's current valuation and capital requirements. For now, the bulls appear to be firmly in charge.