Rocket Lab Shares Plummet Amid $1.53 Billion Volume Surge to 42nd Rank as Valuation Woes Emerge for SpaceX Rival

Rocket Lab (RKLB) closed at $43.53 on Sept. 3, down 11.72% after a 57.91% surge in trading volume to $1.53 billion, ranking 42nd in market activity. The decline followed mixed market sentiment, with the S&P 500 flat and the Nasdaq up 0.5%.

Shares retreated after earlier gains driven by the completion of the Neutron launch pad, a critical step toward its heavy-lift rocket’s debut. However, investors remain cautious about the $22 billion valuation, which contrasts with $500 million in annual revenue and $200 million in EBITDA losses. The company’s burn rate and reliance on debt or equity financing for growth amplify risks, despite its position as a SpaceX rival in the space industry.

Backtest data shows RKLB’s 3-year total return at +718.23% versus the S&P 500’s +64.32%, while its 1-year surge reached +618.32%. YTD returns stand at +70.91% compared to the benchmark’s +9.63%.