Why Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock Has Been Falling
Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares have been sliding throughout November, driven by a combination of company‑specific setbacks and broader macro headwinds pressuring growth stocks. The decline accelerated following the company’s Q3 earnings report, where management disclosed a significant delay to the Neutron rocket program — a key component of Rocket Lab’s long‑term growth strategy.
Neutron Rocket Launch Delay Into 2026
The biggest catalyst behind RKLB’s recent weakness is the postponement of the debut launch for its medium‑lift Neutron rocket. Originally expected in late 2025, the first flight has now been pushed into 2026.
According to Seeking Alpha, Rocket Lab has been “trading lower ever since it announced… the delay of the debut launch of its medium‑lift Neutron rocket from late 2025 to 2026” (source). Neutron is central to Rocket Lab’s next growth phase, enabling competition in the same payload class dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
This delay has raised concerns about:
- Increased capital expenditures
- Slower timeline to profitability
- Potential revenue pushouts
- Execution risk on a critical, strategic program
Even though the company has emphasized quality and reliability, investors are reacting sharply to shifting timelines on a project so central to Rocket Lab’s investment thesis.
Investor Reaction Following Q3 Earnings
Rocket Lab’s Q3 results were mixed in investor eyes. While the company beat revenue and loss expectations, the Neutron delay overshadowed the otherwise strong quarter.
Coverage from The Motley Fool noted that despite beating Q3 estimates, “investors were not pleased… [and] seem more upset with the fact that Rocket Lab… will not launch [Neutron] in 2025 after all” (source).
This sentiment shift has driven a multi‑week selloff:
- The stock is down more than 20% over the last week and over 30% in the past month.
- Several outlets have noted that execution concerns, not earnings performance, are driving the decline.
Macro Headwinds Add Pressure
Beyond company‑specific factors, Rocket Lab has been hit by broader pressure on growth and tech‑adjacent equities.
Benzinga reported that hawkish Federal Reserve commentary on persistent inflation has weighed heavily on high‑multiple, long‑duration assets — a category that includes space and launch companies ().