AVAV vs. RKLB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and RKLB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AVAV’s market capitalization stands at 11.24 billion USD, while RKLB’s is 16.45 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
RKLB carries a higher beta at 2.09, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AVAV (beta: 0.81) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | AVAV | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | Rocket Lab USA, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| CEO | Wahid Nawabi | Peter Beck |
| Price | 246.23 USD | 35.66 USD |
| Market Cap | 11.24 billion USD | 16.45 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.81 | 2.09 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | January 23, 2007 | November 24, 2020 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV and RKLB by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AVAV
5.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
RKLB
-48.92%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
RKLB has a negative Return on Equity of -48.92%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
AVAV
4.16%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AVAV’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.16% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
RKLB
-22.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
RKLB has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -22.20%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
AVAV
5.54%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.54% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
RKLB
-44.32%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
RKLB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -44.32%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
AVAV
5.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.18% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
RKLB
-44.19%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
RKLB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -44.19%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.06% | -48.92% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.89% | -16.46% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.16% | -22.20% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.54% | -44.32% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.18% | -44.19% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.23% | 26.67% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AVAV
3.52
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
RKLB
2.08
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
RKLB’s Current Ratio of 2.08 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AVAV
0.04
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
RKLB
1.14
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
RKLB’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.14. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AVAV
245.75
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 245.75, AVAV demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
RKLB
-36.50
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
RKLB has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -36.50. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 3.52 | 2.08 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.69 | 1.72 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 1.14 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 0.39 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.11 | -1.11 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 245.75 | -36.50 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AVAV and RKLB. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
RKLB
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
RKLB
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AVAV
158.45
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 158.45, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
RKLB
-87.30
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
RKLB has a negative P/E Ratio of -87.30. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AVAV
4.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
AVAV’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.65 is within the middle range of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
RKLB
10.77
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
RKLB’s Forward PEG Ratio of 10.77 is exceptionally high for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AVAV
14.27
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
AVAV’s P/S Ratio of 14.27 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
RKLB
35.31
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
With a P/S Ratio of 35.31, RKLB trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AVAV
7.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 7.80 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
RKLB
41.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
At 41.80, RKLB’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 158.45 | -87.30 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 4.65 | 10.77 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 14.27 | 35.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.80 | 41.80 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -821.15 | -92.90 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 188.22 | -99.43 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 14.26 | 35.71 |