RKLB Stock Is Back In Rally Mode After Q1 Earnings – And Retail Traders Want $100 Next

• Citizens’ analysts believe new deals could fill key supply chain gaps and boost the company’s role in major national security space programs.
• Craig-Hallum upgraded the stock to ‘Buy’ from ‘Hold,’ citing “outstanding execution.”
• Rocket Lab won a $30 million contract to conduct hypersonic test launches from Anduril Industries and signed a definitive agreement to acquire Motiv Space Systems.

Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) ignited strong pre-market momentum on Friday after the company posted a record-breaking first quarter, while bullish brokerage commentary fueled optimism by highlighting its success in closing critical supply chain gaps and strengthening its foothold in high-value national security space programs.

A fresh wave of bullish analyst calls strengthened the case for RKLB as one of the fastest-growing players in the commercial space sector. 

The stock jumped around 8% at the time of writing, while RKLB was also among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits.

RKLB Stock To Rally After Record Q1

According to The Fly, Citizens raised its price target on Rocket Lab to $95 from $85 and maintained an ‘Outperform’ rating. The brokerage pointed to Rocket Lab’s steady execution through acquisitions and internal development, including the purchase of Motiv Space Systems and the launch of its Gauss electric propulsion system.

Citizens said these moves help fill key supply chain gaps in areas such as solar arrays and thrusters, while also boosting the company’s role in major national security space programs.

Meanwhile, Clear Street raised its price target to $98 from $88 and retained a ‘Buy’ rating, citing the company’s strong momentum following a record first quarter. The firm noted solid performance across both launch and space systems businesses.

The brokerage also highlighted growing momentum for the Neutron rocket program and Rocket Lab’s record backlog, adding that the strong results could push the stock higher.

Separately, Craig-Hallum upgraded the stock to ‘Buy’ from ‘Hold’ and raised its price target to $98 from $68, citing “outstanding execution.”

RKLB Triggers: Deal Wins, Acquisition, Record Revenue

The company posted record Q1 revenue of $200.3 million, marking a 63.5% increase from a year ago and easily topping Street expectations of $189.4 million, according to Fiscal.ai.

Rocket Lab also secured several new contracts, pushing its backlog to a record $2.2 billion. The company’s biggest deal included eight dedicated launch missions for a confidential customer across its Neutron and Electron rockets between 2026 and 2029.

It also won a $30 million contract to conduct hypersonic test launches from Anduril Industries and signed a definitive agreement to acquire Motiv Space Systems.

Bullish RKLB Traders Eye $100

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits turned ‘extremely bullish’ from ‘bullish’ a day earlier, amid ‘extremely high’ message volumes.

One user highlighted the worth of IPO-bound SpaceX, implying an exploding sector, and simply added “Buy Hold Retire.”

Other users pegged $100 as the next key milestone. It is currently trading at around $85.

The stock has gained around 13% so far this year.

Read also: GDC Stock Surges 65% In Pre-Market After Brutal Rout Amid Take-Private Offer – Retail Bulls Now Eye $1
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