Why Rocket Lab Stock Shot 30% Higher This Week
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The rocket company is getting a boost because of a reported IPO in 2026 from competitor SpaceX.Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB 1.05%) shot up 30% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. An upstart space flight company that is benefiting from increased spending on the space economy, Rocket Lab stock was trading higher this week because of a report about a potential $1.5 trillion SpaceX IPO (initial public offering) in 2026. Rocket Lab also made another milestone in the development of its new, larger rocket called the Neutron. Here's why the stock was up 30% this week to a price of $63.44 as of this writing on December 12th, 2025. ExpandNASDAQ: RKLBRocket LabToday's Change(-1.05%) $-0.67Current Price$62.86Key Data PointsMarket Cap$34BDay's Range$59.81 - $65.1852wk Range$14.71 - $73.97Volume765KAvg Vol22MGross Margin28.93% Heavy space economy investments Even though it isn't directly associated with the Rocket Lab business, SpaceX is compared heavily to the upstart rocket launch provider as the leader in the commercial launch sector. When investors get bullish on SpaceX -- which is currently one of the largest private companies in the world by valuation -- they tend to also get bullish on the prospects of Rocket Lab. It turns out that public market investors may get a chance to buy SpaceX shares next year. Reports have come out that the company is planning an IPO next year at a hefty valuation of $1.5 trillion, raising $30 billion in funds in the process. Seeing how investors are valuing SpaceX at such a premium price has translated to gains in Rocket Lab stock this week. On top of the SpaceX news, Rocket Lab made progress with its "Hungry Hippo" rocket fairing for its large Neutron rocket, which is undergoing testing and hopefully going to perform full flights and commercial launches in 2026. Advertisement Image source: Getty Images. Should you buy Rocket Lab stock? Shareholders of Rocket Lab are sitting fat and happy after the returns of the last few years. The stock is up over 10x since the beginning of 2024, when shares were trading below $5. Rocket Lab's business is doing well right now. Revenue grew 48% year-over-year to $155 million last quarter, with plenty of growth yet to come when the Neutron debuts later in 2026. However, at a market cap of $34 billion, the stock has a price-to-sales ratio (P/S) above 50 at the moment, making the stock wildly overvalued and uninvestable at the moment. About the AuthorBrett Schafer is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer goods, financials, technology, and industrials. Brett is a self-taught investor and has hosted the Chit Chat Stocks podcast since 2018. He previously worked as a lab engineer for science laboratories. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with minors in finance and mathematics from Washington State University. His lab work on Major League Baseball’s juiced ball problem was featured in The Wall Street Journal and other national outlets.TMFBrettSchaferX@CCM_BrettRead NextDec 11, 2025 •By Rich SmithWhy Rocket Lab Stock Rocketed Higher TodayDec 7, 2025 •By Rich Smith3 Reasons Why Rocket Lab Stock Is A Millionaire-MakerDec 6, 2025 •By Courtney CarlsenHere's Why 2026 Could Be a Huge Year for Rocket LabDec 5, 2025 •By Brett SchaferWhy Rocket Lab Stock Slipped Last MonthNov 23, 2025 •By Courtney CarlsenThe Best Space Stock to Invest $500 in Right NowNov 23, 2025 •By Rich SmithDumb Money Has Fled Rocket Lab Stock.
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