--- title: "Top Analyst Weighs In on Rocket Lab Stock After Post-Earnings Slump" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/295472353.md" description: "BTIG analyst Andre Madrid maintains a Neutral rating on Rocket Lab (RKLB) despite acknowledging strong business growth and strategic progress. While he views the Iridium acquisition as transformational and sees robust demand for launches, caution stems from valuation premiums and execution risks regarding the Neutron rocket timeline. This contrasts with a broader Wall Street consensus of Strong Buy." datetime: "2026-08-11T01:40:51.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/295472353.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/295472353.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/295472353.md) --- # Top Analyst Weighs In on Rocket Lab Stock After Post-Earnings Slump **Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)** investors had plenty to digest following Monday's second-quarter report, which paired strong business growth with continued losses and expectations for lower margins next quarter. The timing of Neutron's first flight has become less certain as well, with management now targeting getting the rocket to the launch pad in Q4 and acknowledging that the window for a 2026 debut is narrowing. That added another concern for shareholders, leaving RKLB shares down about 7.5% in after-hours trading Monday. ### Claim 55% Off TipRanks - Unlock powerful investing tools with TipRanks Premium to make smarter, more confident investment decisions - Subscribe to TipRanks Smart Investor Newsletter, and discover new investing opportunities with data-backed stock picks BTIG analyst Andre Madrid, who ranks among the top 2% of Wall Street analysts, sees Rocket Lab making progress on several fronts, although he remains cautious about the stock overall. Neutron remains an important part of his outlook, and the analyst believes Rocket Lab is "prioritizing long-term reliability and scalability over short-term schedule optimization" as development moves forward. That approach means Madrid appears willing to accept some uncertainty around timing if Rocket Lab ultimately produces a dependable reusable rocket. Such patience could prove important as the company works toward offering customers far more than launch services alone. Madrid sees the planned Iridium acquisition as a "transformational step" toward building that broader business. The transaction would bring recurring communications revenue while expanding Rocket Lab's reach into areas including direct-to-device connectivity, navigation, defense, aviation, and marine safety. Madrid believes Neutron could play an important role here, potentially reducing the cost of deploying Iridium's next-generation satellite constellation. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab's growing launch pipeline gives Madrid another reason for optimism about the years ahead. The company announced $437 million of launch awards during and after the quarter, bringing its launch backlog above 90 missions. The analyst expects demand to "remain robust," particularly if SpaceX continues winding down dedicated Falcon launches for outside customers, which could leave additional opportunities available for Rocket Lab. The recent $397 million Space Force contract gives Madrid further evidence that Rocket Lab's broader strategy is gaining traction. Rocket Lab was one of only two providers selected to deliver both spacecraft and launch services for the program, demonstrating the potential benefits of having several capabilities housed within one business. Indeed, Madrid calls the award an "important proof point" for Rocket Lab's strategy and sees broader implications beyond this particular contract. The analyst believes future national-security programs could favor companies capable of providing "end-to-end solutions" rather than supplying standalone launch or satellite services. Yet, Madrid's optimism about Rocket Lab's progress does not translate into a Buy recommendation, as the analyst maintains a Neutral rating on RKLB. His caution has largely come down to valuation and execution risk, particularly after the stock's gains over the past year left shares trading at a steep premium to aerospace peers. (To watch Madrid's track record, click here) Madrid's Neutral rating actually puts him on the conservative end of Wall Street. 13 analysts rate RKLB shares a Buy, compared with only 4 Holds, giving RKLB a Strong Buy consensus overall. Meanwhile, the $110.53 average price target sits 38% above Monday's closing price. 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