Shares in Rocket Lab (RKLB) climbed on Friday after receiving a inventory forecast improve, in addition to signing a brand new protection contract. The corporate introduced a $816 million Area Improvement Company (SDA) Tranche 3 Monitoring Layer contract, marking the biggest single award in Rocket Lab’s historical past. The contract contains 18 satellites outfitted with superior missile warning and monitoring sensors.
Analysts famous the award positions Rocket Lab as a first-rate contractor for future tasks, together with the Golden Dome program, probably supporting long-term income development. Different market observers cautioned that the inventory’s valuation stays elevated and highlighted insider promoting, suggesting short-term positive factors could also be average.
Moreover, the area launch companies supplier obtained an improve from Morgan Stanley, serving to pump shares larger. The agency on Friday upgraded Rocket Lab (RKLB) to chubby from equal weight. Morgan Stanley additionally launched an “enticing trade view” on the area expertise sector for 2026, noting that the favorable developments that drove 2025 outperformance ought to carry into this 12 months. Morgan Stanley went on to boost its value goal on Rocket Lab to $105 from $67.
Moreover, Rocket Lab has additionally maintained momentum via repeated profitable Electron launches and regular progress on its Neutron launch car, reinforcing investor confidence. The area sector is witnessing sturdy development, pushed by coverage help and elevated launch actions, benefiting firms like Rocket Lab. That development is anticipated to proceed in 2026, led by firms like RKLB and SpaceX.
Outdoors of Morgan Stanley, different Wall Road corporations are extra blended of their outlook for Rocket Lab RKLB inventory. Needham is issuing a Purchase score and a value goal of $90, whereas Cantor Fitzgerald stays Obese however suggests a decrease goal of $54. These all indicate the inventory’s present $97 value dipping dramatically all through the remainder of 2026.
