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Rocket Lab Stock Falls 6% After Neutron Delay to 2027
Why is Rocket Lab stock down today?
Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock fell about 6% on Tuesday to near $55 after the company pushed its Neutron rocket debut to 2027 and posted a wider quarterly loss.
Key numbers
| Q3 revenue | $267.8M+73% vs $155.1M a year ago |
|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | -$18.0MLoss narrowed from $26.3M a year ago |
| Net loss | $79.7MUp from $18.3M a year ago |
| Backlog | $3.6B+52% vs Q2 2026 |
| Q4 revenue guidance | $270M–$290MMidpoint above analyst consensus (per [3]) |
| Neutron first launch | 2027Moved from Q4 2026 |
What happened
Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock fell about 6% on Tuesday to near $55 after the company pushed its Neutron rocket debut to 2027 and posted a wider quarterly loss. Neutron is its bigger reusable rocket, and its first flight slipped from late 2026 after flaws were found in a fuel tank part. For the quarter, sales rose 73% to a record $268 million, but adjusted EBITDA (operating profit before some costs) was an $18 million loss, and the net loss was $79.7 million. Orders waiting to be filled (backlog) grew 52% to about $3.6 billion.
Why it matters
Rocket Lab is spending heavily to build Neutron, so a later debut pushes back the day it can earn money from larger rocket launches. The stock was already down about 16% this year before Tuesday's drop, so each delay draws close attention. Still, the company holds about $4.45 billion in cash and has 16 Neutron launches booked, which helps it keep funding the work while it waits.
Who this affects
- MarketmixedLow impact
- Space-stock investors face a bumpy ride as delays hit sentiment.
- CompanymixedMedium impact
- Shareholders wait longer for Neutron revenue; cash and backlog cushion it.
- CompetitorsneutralLow impact
- Rival launch companies get more time before Neutron competes.
- IndustrybullishMedium impact
- Launch demand stays tight, with Neutron priced near $70M per flight.
Rocket Lab vs Firefly Aerospace, AST SpaceMobile
How we got here
Shares close up 10.9% at $58.86 ahead of the Q3 earnings report.
Rocket Lab reports record $267.8M revenue, $18M adjusted EBITDA loss, and Neutron launch no earlier than 2027.
Shares trade 5% to 7% lower after the report as loss per share of $0.12 misses estimates.
What to watch
- Results of Neutron tank tests and any firm 2027 launch date2027
- Q4 results versus guidance of $270M–$290M revenue and a $14M–$20M adjusted EBITDA lossQ4 2026
Educational content only. Not investment advice.
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