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

by · The Cerbat Gem

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB – Get Free Report)’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 Merline Saintil sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total transaction of $325,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 388,529 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,254,385. This trade represents a 1.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Merline Saintil sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.46, for a total transaction of $272,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 393,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,431,589.34. This represents a 1.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Baird R W upgraded Rocket Lab to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Rocket Lab from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Rocket Lab from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Rocket Lab in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $61.25.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on RKLB

Rocket Lab News Summary

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

  • Positive Sentiment: Won a material U.S. defense/space contract (~$805–$816M) that meaningfully expands backlog and revenue visibility for Rocket Lab’s space systems business. Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock Surges as Company Secures $816 Million Contract
  • Positive Sentiment: Completed its 21st Electron launch of the year with 100% mission success — reinforces operational reliability that supports future commercial and government launch demand. Rocket Lab Successfully Launches for iQPS
  • Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and target hikes (Needham set a street-high $90 target and reiterated Buy; other firms raised targets) are supporting buying momentum and justify the rally to some investors. Needham Hikes Rocket Lab Price Target to $90
  • Neutral Sentiment: Broad sector optimism and government space-policy tailwinds are lifting RKLB alongside peers — bullish for sentiment but increases correlation risk with the space group. Space stocks rocket higher as sector optimism gains steam
  • Neutral Sentiment: Positive headlines have driven rapid YTD gains; some analyst medians still sit below current prices, reflecting ongoing valuation debate. Analyst and social sentiment summary on RKLB
  • Negative Sentiment: Insider selling has picked up (recent director sale of 5,000 shares and larger December sales by executives). Many trades are 10b5‑1-plan driven, but the volume of sales can increase float and worry some traders. Director Merline Saintil Sells Shares
  • Negative Sentiment: Valuation risk: RKLB has rallied strongly and some coverage warns the stock may be priced for perfection — any delays to Neutron development, contract execution, or launch cadence could trigger a pullback. Rocket Lab Valuation Check

Rocket Lab Trading Down 2.1%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $54.75 and a 200-day moving average of $47.69. The company has a market capitalization of $40.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -199.72 and a beta of 2.20. The company has a current ratio of 3.18, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The rocket manufacturer reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $152.45 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.10) EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 48.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Rocket Lab Corporation will post -0.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rocket Lab

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its stake in Rocket Lab by 176.1% during the third quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 12,125,910 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $580,952,000 after buying an additional 7,734,788 shares in the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new stake in Rocket Lab during the second quarter valued at approximately $192,918,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Rocket Lab in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $164,751,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Rocket Lab by 67.0% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,242,304 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock worth $223,287,000 after buying an additional 2,504,054 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Rocket Lab by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,809,723 shares of the rocket manufacturer’s stock valued at $2,003,104,000 after buying an additional 2,127,565 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.78% of the company’s stock.

Rocket Lab Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

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