What happened: Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock rose more than 25% on Friday, hitting its first intraday record since January and underscoring how space stocks are back on Wall Street’s radar.
What’s behind the measure: The space company reported better-than-expected first-quarter quarterly revenue and gave an optimistic forecast for the current quarter. Rocket Lab also announced its largest launch deal yet, covering multiple neutron and electron launches between 2026 and 2029, along with a $30 million Anduril contract for three HASTE hypersonic test launches.
In numbers: Rocket Lab is up over 70% from its March 30 low and ranks second in the peer group behind BlackSky Technology (BKSY) by a small margin. It has added roughly $24 billion in market value over that stretch, more than every name in the space cohort except Boeing (BA), which is more than three times larger by market cap and is a more diversified company.
What else do you need to know? The move is part of a broader bid for new space names. Intuitive Machines (LUNR), Redwire (RDW), BlackSky and Satellogic (SATL) also rallied on Friday, while traditional defense names like Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Lockheed Martin (LMT) lagged behind.
Jared Blikre is Yahoo Finance’s global markets and data editor. Follow him on X at @SPYJared or email him at jaredblikre@yahooinc.com.
Click here for an in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events influencing stock prices.
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
