- AI Stock Portfolio For 2026: Northrop Grumman (NOC) Among Top 10 Picks
May 12, 2026
We just covered
Grok’s Latest Stock Portfolio in 2026: Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot’s Top 10 Stock Picks. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) ranks #5 (see Grok’s Latest Stock Portfolio in 2026: AI Assistant’s Top 5 Stock Picks).
Number of Hedge Funds: 62
Northrop Grumman’s (NYSE:NOC) wide moat comes from its edge in stealth aircraft. It developed the B-2 Spirit and is now building the B-21 Raider, the world’s first sixth-generation bomber. It also has long-term programs like the Sentinel nuclear missile system, which are difficult for competitors to enter. Because of this track record and expertise in highly sensitive defense systems, the U.S. government strongly relies on Northrop for key strategic projects.
Demand is rising from U.S. defense budget growth, nuclear/space modernization, and allied needs amid great-power competition. The record ~$95-96 billion backlog provides strong multi-year visibility.
Northrop Grumman recently made news on U.S. Air Force increasing B-21 bomber production by 25%. The company also raised its 2026 capital spending to support expansion for missile and aircraft programs.
Copyright: chalabala / 123RF Stock Photo
While we acknowledge the potential of NOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.
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- Picogrid Joins U.S. Army’s “Right to Integrate” Sprint at Fort Carson to Accelerate Vendor-Neutral Interoperability
May 12, 2026
IMG_4161 2
Disclaimer: The appearance of the U.S. Department of War visual information does not imply or constitute DOW endorsement.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Army has invited Picogrid to join its newly launched "Right to Integrate" (R2I) hackathon at Fort Carson, Colorado. The initiative exists to address a fundamental problem: the systems it has purchased from across the defense industrial base often do not talk to each other. The sprint aims to change that by opening key systems up for integration.
The event marks a major step toward an open defense ecosystem, and Picogrid is proud to contribute alongside the defense industry's leading prime contractors, including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Anduril, and others.
Exposing interfaces is a vital first step, but true interoperability goes beyond shared documentation. Translating proprietary data formats in real time at the tactical edge demands an active approach. For instance, Picogrid is bringing its Expeditionary C2 Node (ECN) platforms as an example orchestration layer that could be used to operationalize the open interfaces driven by this event.
Picogrid brings a distinct, operational track record to the Army’s R2I sprint having successfully integrated counter-UAS air defense capabilities in an operational environment. Through its Legion software and ECNs, Picogrid’s technology has proven its ability to rapidly network and orchestrate siloed data formats from many vendors into a cohesive system, providing operators a unified picture within hours without modifying the underlying hardware.
"The Army has made it clear that we can no longer afford to fight from a swivel chair across disaggregated systems, and mandating open interfaces is a critical first step," said Zane Mountcastle, Co-Founder and CEO of Picogrid. "Integration at the tactical edge requires an active software fabric that orchestrates open interfaces into a synchronized system. We're honored to bring our experience to Fort Carson and prove that vendor lock-in is a thing of the past."
Over the course of the 30-day sprint, Picogrid will work alongside Army leaders, technical experts, and leading defense companies to open our systems, collapse latency, and streamline decision-making. Simultaneously, Picogrid will work alongside the Army and other companies to incorporate real-time lessons learned from contingency operations to help inform the way ahead and ensure the solution is grounded in the realities of today’s operational environment. The goal is simple: prove that the Army's systems can work together, regardless of who built them.
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About Picogrid
Picogrid is a technology company that builds products to integrate mission-critical systems. Its hardware and software products connect sensors, unmanned platforms, and digital systems, enabling unified control and data flow in defense and industrial environments. Deployed globally and supported by leading Silicon Valley investors, Picogrid delivers infrastructure for mission execution across land, sea, air, and space. Learn more at picogrid.com.
Press Contact:
Casey Dell'lsola
REQ for Picogrid
picogrid@req.co
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/176f9e7a-0796-40dd-8a00-d3f52c418517
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- 1 Large-Cap Stock with Promising Prospects and 2 Facing Headwinds
May 12, 2026
Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as they’ve already captured significant portions of their markets.
This is precisely where StockStory comes in - our job is to find you high-quality companies that can win regardless of the conditions. That said, here is one large-cap stock that still has big upside potential and two whose existing offerings may be tapped out.
Two Large-Cap Stocks to Sell:
Zoom (ZM)
Market Cap: $31.93 billion
Once the verb that defined remote work during the pandemic ("let's Zoom later"), Zoom (NASDAQ:ZM) provides a cloud-based platform for video meetings, phone calls, team chat, and collaboration tools that helps businesses and individuals connect virtually.
Why Do We Think ZM Will Underperform?
Products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy may need some adjustments as its 4% average billings growth over the last year was weak Platform has low switching costs as its net revenue retention rate of 98% demonstrates high turnover Projected sales growth of 4.2% for the next 12 months suggests sluggish demand
At $107.18 per share, Zoom trades at 6.3x forward price-to-sales. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why ZM doesn’t pass our bar.
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Market Cap: $78.44 billion
Responsible for the development of the first stealth bomber, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) specializes in providing aerospace, defense, and security solutions for various industry applications.
Why Are We Out on NOC?
The company has faced growth challenges as its 2.6% annual revenue increases over the last five years fell short of other industrials companies Anticipated sales growth of 5.4% for the next year implies demand will be shaky Earnings growth over the last five years fell short of the peer group average as its EPS only increased by 3.1% annually
Northrop Grumman is trading at $551.90 per share, or 19.8x forward P/E. If you’re considering NOC for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more.
One Large-Cap Stock to Watch:
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP)
Market Cap: $38.8 billion
Born out of a 2018 merger between Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple, Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ:KDP) is a consumer staples powerhouse boasting a portfolio of beverages including sodas, coffees, and juices.
Why Does KDP Stand Out?
Products are seeing elevated demand as its unit sales averaged 4.8% growth over the past two years Scale advantages are evident in its $16.94 billion revenue base, which provides operating leverage when demand is strong
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Keurig Dr Pepper’s stock price of $28.52 implies a valuation ratio of 12x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our full research report, it’s free.
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- Northrop Grumman Extends Autonomy And Propulsion Reach With DARPA And Australia
May 12, 2026
Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) has started flight tests of its XRQ-73 SHEPARD uncrewed aircraft for DARPA, marking a key step for hybrid-electric propulsion in military aviation. The company has been formally engaged by the Australian government to establish domestic solid rocket motor production, expanding its role in allied missile and propulsion supply chains.
For investors tracking defense and aerospace, these updates highlight where Northrop Grumman is applying engineering and program resources. The XRQ-73 work with DARPA centers on uncrewed and hybrid-electric technologies, areas that many defense budgets are monitoring closely as they evaluate future aircraft, surveillance and communications platforms.
The new Australian solid rocket motor engagement points to deeper industrial cooperation between allies and an effort to build more resilient supply lines for missiles and propulsion systems. For anyone following NYSE:NOC, these projects help outline how the company is positioning its capabilities across autonomy and propulsion as governments reassess long term defense requirements.
Stay updated on the most important news stories for Northrop Grumman by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Northrop Grumman.NYSE:NOC Earnings & Revenue Growth as at May 2026
📰 Beyond the headline: 2 risks and 4 things going right for Northrop Grumman that every investor should see.
For you as an investor, these two updates sit in different but related parts of Northrop Grumman's business. The XRQ-73 SHEPARD flight tests for DARPA focus on uncrewed, hybrid-electric aircraft, which tie directly into the company's long history in autonomy, with over 500,000 autonomous flight test hours reported. That kind of test activity can be an indicator of how deeply integrated the company is in U.S. research and development priorities, an area where peers like Lockheed Martin and RTX are also active. The Australian solid rocket motor engagement, by contrast, is about production, long-range strike capability and local supply chains, which can be more comparable with missile and propulsion work at RTX and General Dynamics.
How This Fits Into The Northrop Grumman Narrative
The DARPA flight tests and Australian propulsion project both align with the narrative's focus on advanced autonomous systems and growing solid rocket motor capacity as potential drivers of higher margin segments. Greater reliance on complex R&D programs and capital-intensive propulsion facilities also reflects the narrative's caution about execution risk and program-specific setbacks that could pressure margins. The specific Australian industrial engagement, with its emphasis on domestic long-range strike capability and local suppliers, is not explicitly covered in the narrative and may add an extra dimension to the international growth story.
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Knowing what a company is worth starts with understanding its story. Check out one of the top narratives in the Simply Wall St Community for Northrop Grumman to help decide what it's worth to you.
The Risks and Rewards Investors Should Consider
⚠️ Complex defense programs can face schedule changes or cost pressure, which may affect how quickly work on XRQ-73 and Australian solid rocket motors translates into stable earnings. ⚠️ Building local missile and propulsion capacity for allies can attract regulatory and political scrutiny, which could influence contract terms or future award decisions. 🎁 Closer ties to DARPA and the Australian government may support contract visibility across autonomy and long-range strike, areas the narrative already highlights as important for the company. 🎁 The projects touch on two of the four rewards analysts have flagged, including the company's positioning on value metrics and its role in higher quality defense programs that some investors see as relatively resilient.
What To Watch Going Forward
From here, it is worth watching whether XRQ-73 testing progresses into follow-on work or related autonomous systems contracts, and how quickly the Australian solid rocket motor initiative moves from engagement to sustained production. Any updates on program scope, timing or funding could influence how much these projects contribute relative to other large U.S. contracts and international opportunities. Investors may also want to compare Northrop Grumman's progress on autonomy and propulsion with peers like Lockheed Martin, RTX and General Dynamics to see how competitive positions are evolving across these segments.
To stay informed on how the latest news impacts the investment narrative for Northrop Grumman, visit the community page for Northrop Grumman to follow the top community narratives.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include NOC.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
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- President Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield Just Got $3.2 Billion Bigger
May 11, 2026
"The threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks, remains the most catastrophic threat facing the United States."
-- President Donald Trump, Executive Order 14186
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EO 14186, published Jan. 27, 2025, inaugurated the concept of building an "Iron Dome for America" -- soon rebranded as the Golden Dome. It called for the construction of a next-generation missile defense shield to "deter ... any foreign aerial attack on the Homeland," and in particular for accelerating work on the U.S. Space Force's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture missile defense program comprising one set of satellites to track missile launches, and a second set of satellites to relay data from missile launches to defense systems on the ground.
But EO 14186 contained one other element that PWSA lacked: a set of satellites in orbit armed with missiles to shoot down attacking missiles.
That is to say, PWSA lacked this...until now.Image source: U.S. Space Force.
Golden Dome gets a gun
To fill that gap in the system and supplement America's ground-based missile defense interceptors, Space Force announced late last month that it's awarding $3.2 billion in defense contracts to a team of space companies to build space-based interceptors (SBIs) for Golden Dome.
12 companies were named to receive contracts:
Anduril Industries Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) Gitai USA Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) Quindar RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) SciTec Inc, a subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace (NASDAQ: FLY) SpaceX True Anomaly Turion Space Corp.
Now this list probably includes a few names you've never heard of before. (That's to be expected. Space Force specifically stated that it aimed to attract "both traditional and non-traditional vendors" to this effort.)
Among the private companies, there's Gitai, a start-up developer of space robotics; Quindar, a specialist in mission management software; True Anomaly, the self-proclaimed "only defense technology company focused exclusively on space defense"; and space infrastructure company Turion.
Quite a cast of characters. We don't know precisely what technology attracts Space Force to them -- and Space Force isn't telling, citing "operational security requirements."
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More familiar, not-yet-public names include Anduril, an up-and-coming defense contractor well-versed in using artificial intelligence to guide missiles and drones, which might go public soon. And of course, there's SpaceX, the 800-lb. gorilla of space, which definitely is going public. As the incumbent provider of Starshield defense satellites to the Pentagon, you have to assume that SpaceX will win a good portion of the $3.2 billion for itself.
Golden Dome stocks you can buy today
Granted, you probably can't invest in SpaceX until the IPO, so consider the "usual suspects" instead. Fully half the names on the list are already publicly traded stocks that you can invest in today. At least two of them that I know of, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, have already won PWSA contracts to build "tracking layer" satellites under PWSA. And we recently learned that a third awardee of tracking layer contracts, Rocket Lab(NASDAQ: RKLB), is partnering with RTX Corporation on its SBI contract.
While none of the companies on this list are guaranteed to win big contracts under the $3.2 billion SBI umbrella program, it would make sense to assume this gives each of Lockheed, Northrop, and RTX a leg up once the contracts begin being awarded.
Which of the three would I choose? It's really no contest. Among Lockheed, Northrop, and RTX, Lockheed Martin boasts the lowest price-to-earnings ratio (15.8 times earnings), the lowest price-to-sales ratio (1.6 times sales), and also the fastest projected earnings growth rate over the next five years (18.5%, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence).
If I were making a bet on a defense stock to profit from President Trump's upgraded Golden Dome missile defense shield, I'd put Lockheed Martin stock at the top of my shopping list.
Should you buy stock in Lockheed Martin right now?
Before you buy stock in Lockheed Martin, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Lockheed Martin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $471,827!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,319,291!*
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Rich Smith has positions in Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends RTX and Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool recommends Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
President Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield Just Got $3.2 Billion Bigger was originally published by The Motley Fool
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- Lockheed Martin Stock Rises 10.8% in 6 Months: More Upside Ahead?
May 11, 2026
Lockheed Martin’s LMT shares have risen 10.8% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry’s decline of 8.3%. The company continues to benefit from its large backlog and support from long-term munitions agreements, creating demand visibility. Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other defense stocks like Northrop Grumman NOC boast a solid presence in defense and cybersecurity programs, with their product portfolio well positioned in high-priority categories. General Dynamics’ GD strong number of contract wins and broad global presence help maintain steady growth momentum. Shares of Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics have declined 3% and 1.7%, respectively, over the past six months.
Considering Lockheed Martin’s outperformance relative to its industry, investors may be wondering whether now is a good time to add the stock to their portfolios. Let’s examine the factors that have driven the share price gains and assess the company’s investment prospects to make a more informed decision.
Tailwinds for LMT Stock
In May 2026, Lockheed Martin and Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence have officially unveiled the country’s inaugural HIMARS launchers. The deal strengthens the company’s international defense backlog, expands long-term missile and launcher sales, and deepens its strategic position within NATO’s eastern side.
Lockheed Martin continues to convert demand for key franchise programs into sizable awards, supporting revenue visibility over a multiyear horizon. The order flows, together with continued activity across strategic missile, combat systems and sustainment work, underpinned a backlog of $186.4 billion as of March 29, 2026. Management expects about 34% of backlog to be recognized over the next 12 months and about 58% over the next 24 months, supporting the long-term revenue base.
The F-35 remains a central franchise program for Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics segment, combining production, upgrades and long-duration sustainment work. The program represented about 27% of consolidated sales in the first quarter of 2026, and Aeronautics sales were partially supported by higher F-35 sustainment volume even as other aircraft programs faced timing headwinds.
Lockheed Martin continues to see demand for integrated air and missile defense products, as well as tactical and strike missiles, while maintaining a broad global rotorcraft and combat systems footprint. It signed a $1.5 billion contract with the Peruvian Air Force for 12 Block 70 F-16 fighters, with an opportunity for a second squadron, further expanding its presence in Latin America.
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Challenges for LMT Stock
Lockheed Martin continues to face execution and cost-estimate risk on complex programs, particularly where fixed-price elements magnify the impact of schedule and performance issues. In the first quarter of 2026, the company recorded unfavorable profit adjustments on the F-16 program due to production performance issues and development delays, as well as on the C-130 program due to ongoing integration challenges and delivery delays.
Estimates for LMT Stock
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has risen 0.03% over the past 60 days. LMT’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 18.48%. Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Northrop Grumman’s 2026 EPS has declined 0.39% over the past 60 days. NOC’s long-term earnings growth rate is 5.25%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for General Dynamics’ 2026 EPS has increased 0.36% over the past 60 days. GD’s long-term earnings growth rate is 9.7%.
LMT’s Earnings Surprise History
The company beat on earnings in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, delivering an average surprise of 9.44%.Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LMT’s Debt Position
Currently, the company’s total debt to capital is 73.43%, higher than the industry’s average of 48.64%. Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LMT’s time-to-interest earned ratio at the end of the first quarter of 2026 was 6.1. The ratio, being greater than one, reflects the company’s ability to meet future interest obligations without difficulties.
LMT Stock Trades at a Discount
In terms of valuation, LMT’s forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 1.46X, a discount to the industry’s average of 2.48X. This suggests that investors would be paying a lower price relative to the company’s expected sales growth compared with its peer group.Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Should an Investor Do Now?
Lockheed Martin is strengthening its global defense position through new international HIMARS and fighter aircraft partnerships, reinforcing long-term demand across missile systems, sustainment, and combat platforms. Its major defense programs, especially the F-35 and integrated missile defense systems, continue to support strong backlog visibility and expand the company’s presence across NATO and other international markets.
Considering its financial pressures and higher debt levels, new investors should wait and look for a better entry point. Investors who already hold this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock may consider retaining it, given the company’s strong earnings growth outlook.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
General Dynamics Corporation (GD) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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- President Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield Just Got $3.2 Billion Bigger
May 11, 2026 · fool.com
U.S. Space Force named 12 companies to compete for $3.2 billion in new Golden Dome contracts. The new contracts will hire companies to build space-based interceptors to intercept missile attacks.
- The Pentagon Has Released UFO Files to the Public. What Caught Our Attention.
May 9, 2026
Under the direction of President Donald Trump, the Pentagon on Friday released dozens of files totaling thousands of pages about “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.” Investors, however, may be thinking about them as unidentified flying objects, or UFOs. The first interesting tidbit was about an aircraft that in 2023 made “multiple 90-degree turns at an estimated 80 mph.” That is indicative of potentially impressive technology in propulsion, control, and materials science that would interest investors looking at jet and jet engine makers, such as Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace.
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- Stock Market Today, May 8: Rocket Lab Surges After Record Quarterly Revenue Beats Expectations
May 8, 2026
Rocket Lab(NASDAQ:RKLB), a launch services and space systems provider, closed Friday at $105.55, up 34.32%. The stock jumped after record Q1 revenue beat expectations and guidance pointed to another record quarter. Investors are watching how its expanding backlog converts into sustained growth and margins. Trading volume reached 76 million shares, about 247% above its three-month average of 21.9 million shares. Rocket Lab IPO'd in 2020 and has grown 983% since going public.
How the markets moved today
The S&P 500 added 0.82% to finish Friday at 7,397, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.71% to close at 26,247. In aerospace & defense, established rivals Lockheed Martin closed at $506.5 (-1.15%) and Northrop Grumman ended at $549.65 (-0.47%), lagging Rocket Lab’s outsize move.
What this means for investors
Rocket Lab’s 64% revenue growth smashed Wall Street’s expectations, and its narrowing EPS loss of $0.07 also snuck past analysts’ hopes. Looking ahead to Q2, management expects sales to grow by 16% sequentially, after growing 12% quarter over quarter in Q1. Perhaps the most exciting figure for investors was RKLB’s backlog growth of 108%, with 42% from its launch operations and 58% from space systems.
The company also landed a $30 million deal with upstart defense tech Anduril Industries, which forms a partnership between two of the world’s most promising young defense companies. Rocket Lab also acquired space robotics specialist Motive Space Systems, potentially enabling it to play a larger role in exploration missions. Overall, shareholders should be pleased with this impressive report.
Should you buy stock in Rocket Lab right now?
Before you buy stock in Rocket Lab, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Rocket Lab wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $475,926!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,296,608!*
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Story Continues
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of May 8, 2026.
Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Stock Market Today, May 8: Rocket Lab Surges After Record Quarterly Revenue Beats Expectations was originally published by The Motley Fool
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- Rocket Lab stock blasts back to record highs
May 8, 2026
What happened: Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock jumped more than 25% Friday, hitting its first intraday record high since January and underscoring how space stocks are back on Wall Street’s radar.
What’s behind the move: The space company reported stronger-than-expected Q1 quarterly revenue and gave an upbeat forecast for the current quarter. Rocket Lab also announced its biggest launch deal yet, covering multiple Neutron and Electron launches between 2026 and 2029, along with a $30 million Anduril contract for three HASTE hypersonic test launches.
By the numbers: Rocket Lab is up over 70% since its March 30 low, second in the peer group behind BlackSky Technology (BKSY) by a small margin. It has added roughly $24 billion in market value over that stretch — more than every name in the space cohort except Boeing (BA), which is over three times larger by market cap and a more diversified company.
What else you need to know: The move is part of a broader bid for newer space names. Intuitive Machines (LUNR), Redwire (RDW), BlackSky, and Satellogic (SATL) also rallied Friday, while old-line defense names like Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Lockheed Martin (LMT) lagged.
Jared Blikre is the global markets and data editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @SPYJared or email him at jaredblikre@yahooinc.com.
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