Cantor maintains $24 target on Rocket Lab, cites Neutron progress

Published 31/03/2025, 13:10
Cantor maintains $24 target on Rocket Lab, cites Neutron progress

On Monday, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed its positive stance on Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares, maintaining an Overweight rating and a $24.00 price target. Despite the stock’s recent volatility, with a -7.87% return over the past week, analyst consensus remains bullish with targets ranging from $14.35 to $33.00. The aerospace company’s Chief Financial Officer, Adam Spice, confirmed during a conference that Rocket Lab is on schedule with the development of its Neutron Rocket. The initial launch is planned for the second half of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s progress. According to InvestingPro, the stock has shown remarkable strength with a 353% return over the past year, though current analysis suggests the stock may be trading above its Fair Value.

Rocket Lab is actively working on several pre-commercialization steps, including vehicle integration, static fires for the first and second stages, and a wet dress rehearsal. The company aims to achieve a minimum reusable target of "up to 20 launches per engine." The launch schedule for the Neutron Rocket anticipates one launch in 2025, although it is not expected to generate revenue, followed by three launches in 2026 and five launches in 2027. The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with InvestingPro data showing a 78.34% increase in the last twelve months to $436.21 million, and analysts anticipate continued sales growth in the current year.

The completion of the Neutron Rocket is expected to position Rocket Lab as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon-9 in the medium-large launch market. The Space Systems division, which has traditionally contributed approximately two-thirds of Rocket Lab’s total revenue, continues to show promise. At the conference, Rocket Lab announced ongoing progress with its approximately $515 million award from the Space Development Agency (SDA).

The predictability of revenue from the Space Systems segment is bolstered by the nature of its contracts, which provides a solid backlog and instills confidence in the company’s financial outlook. The company’s steadfast advancement in its space technology and contracts underlines its potential in the rapidly growing space industry.

In other recent news, Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has been selected as one of the launch providers for the U.S. Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. This program, which includes a firm-fixed Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $5.6 billion, aims to secure reliable launches for critical security missions. Rocket Lab’s participation in this program is expected to enhance its business prospects, as noted by Stifel analysts who maintain a Buy rating with a $27 target on the stock. Additionally, Citi analysts reiterated their Buy rating with a $33 target, highlighting the company’s eligibility to compete for task orders valued at over $5 billion.

Rocket Lab has also successfully launched eight satellites for OroraTech, demonstrating its capability in rapid satellite deployment. This mission, completed within four months of contract signing, emphasizes the company’s efficiency in dedicated small launch services. Cantor Fitzgerald analysts have maintained an Overweight rating with a $24 target, focusing on Rocket Lab’s progress with its Neutron Rocket, expected to launch by the second half of 2025. The company’s ambitious launch schedule includes a goal of up to 20 launches per engine and plans for future commercial flights.

The Space Systems division, a significant revenue contributor, continues to advance with a $515 million contract with the Space Development Agency. This contract structure supports more predictable revenue streams, adding confidence to Rocket Lab’s financial outlook. Rocket Lab’s ongoing developments and strategic partnerships position it as a competitive player in the aerospace sector.

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