Rocket Lab (RKLB) rises as earnings beat, backlog and analyst upgrades lift shares

Rocket Lab shares rose 12% in early trading on May 14, 2026, extending a sharp rally after the aerospace and defense company reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, increased bookings and drew analyst price-target upgrades. The stock gained 34% in the prior session after Rocket Lab reported first-quarter revenue of $200.3 million, up 63.5% from a year earlier and ahead of Wall Street estimates. The company said it secured more launch bookings in the quarter than in all of 2025, lifting backlog to a record $2.2 billion. Its per-share loss of 7 cents matched expectations. Rocket Lab forecast second-quarter revenue of about $232.5 million, above the consensus estimate of $207.6 million, and projected adjusted EBITDA of $23 million, compared with analysts’ expectation for a $15.14 million loss. Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target to $96, while Cowen lifted its target to $120. Rocket Lab also announced an agreement to acquire Motiv Space Systems. The stock was up 56.2% year to date at $118.72, a 52-week high.