Rocket Lab USA Inc
Q2 2025 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +2.36%.
Did RKLB Beat Earnings? Q2 2025 Results
Rocket Lab posted a mixed second quarter, delivering record revenue of $144.50 million — up 36.0% year over year and ahead of the $135.41 million consensus by 6.71% — while its bottom line disappointed, with an EPS loss of $0.13 coming in 69.71% worse than the $0.08 estimate as surging R&D costs weighed heavily on results. The earnings shortfall largely reflected a 66% jump in research and development spending to $66.13 million tied to Neutron rocket development, which alongside a 31% rise in SG&A pushed the GAAP net loss to $66.41 million from $41.63 million a year ago. Operationally, the quarter was notable: five Electron missions flew successfully, gross margins expanded meaningfully, and the company announced the $275 million acquisition of Geost to establish a new Payloads business unit targeting defense opportunities including Golden Dome. Looking ahead, Rocket Lab guided Q3 revenue of $145 million to $155 million, pointing toward <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/02/27/rocket-labs-reports-revenue-surge-of-36-to-a-record-180-million/">continued record-setting growth</a>, though some analysts remain cautious about the pace of cash burn relative to profitability.
- 36% year-over-year revenue growth driven by strong operational performance and program execution
- Five successful Electron missions in Q2, including record two launches two days apart from same site
- Gross margin expansion exceeding expectations with non-GAAP gross margin reaching 36.9%
- Moved into production on $515 million SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer constellation
“Rocket Lab has delivered impressive gross margin expansion and another record revenue result this past quarter, driven by our strong operational performance and program execution that has us on track for a record year of launches and spacecraft delivery. It's also been a busy quarter of M&A activity as we've progressed our acquisition of Geost, strongly positioning ourselves to meet the needs of defense initiatives like the Golden Dome with end-to-end mission solutions across launch, spacecraft - and now payloads. We're confident our strategic investments will drive new growth opportunities that will drive us toward long-term profitability, particularly as we guide toward another potential record quarter for Q3.”
Rocket Lab CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
For Q3 2025, Rocket Lab expects revenue between $145 million and $155 million, which would represent another potential record quarter. GAAP gross margins are guided at 35%-37%, with non-GAAP gross margins of 39%-41%. GAAP operating expenses are expected between $104 million and $109 million, with non-GAAP operating expenses of $86 million to $91 million. Adjusted EBITDA loss is expected between $21 million and $23 million. Stock-based compensation is expected to range from $16 million to $17 million. The company expects interest expense of approximately $1.3 million and basic weighted average common shares outstanding of 528 million.
RKLB YoY Financials
RKLB Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.