Despite a testing anomaly that prevented Rocket Lab’s Neutron booster from completing full thrust duration, leading to a 20-percent drawdown from its all-time high over the past week, a survey of 12 aerospace and defense analysts shows unanimous retention of Buy or Overweight ratings. Citi, Jefferies and Cowen all maintained price targets reflecting at least 25-percent upside, citing Rocket Lab’s backlog of 24 Electron missions valued at over $250 million and the strategic importance of Neutron for large-payload markets.

Rocket Lab shares have retraced nearly 20 percent from their recent peak, closing sharply lower on Monday, January 26, even as the broader aerospace and defense index has gained 8 percent year-to-date. Institutional activity data indicates that hedge funds added to positions by an aggregate 1.2 million shares during last week’s pullback, suggesting conviction in long-term fundamentals rather than panic selling.

Only two days before the Neutron test issue, Rocket Lab completed a flawless Electron orbital insertion for a government science payload, marking its fourth successful mission in six months. That launch drives first-quarter revenue guidance toward the upper end of the previously announced $55–65 million range, with management reiterating projections for 30–35 percent annual revenue growth in fiscal year 2026.