DAL vs. RKLB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 3, 2025

Here’s a clear look at DAL and RKLB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
Company Name	Delta Air Lines, Inc.	Rocket Lab Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Passenger Airlines	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	37.35 billion USD	23.22 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqCM
Listing Date	May 3, 2007	November 24, 2020
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DAL 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.

DAL vs. RKLB: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
5-Day Price Return	-1.11%	2.87%
13-Week Price Return	14.51%	39.73%
26-Week Price Return	21.58%	160.42%
52-Week Price Return	10.47%	393.01%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.13%	0.13%
Year-to-Date Return	-7.26%	88.34%
10-Day Avg. Volume	7.44M	23.20M
3-Month Avg. Volume	8.96M	22.98M
3-Month Volatility	40.49%	73.87%
Beta	1.41	2.18

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

DAL

29.02%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 49.96%
Q3: 27.29%
Median: 16.68%
Q1: 8.40%
Min: -15.23%

In the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Return on Equity of 29.02% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

RKLB

-48.14%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 37.11%
Q3: 20.14%
Median: 11.72%
Q1: 6.30%
Min: -6.24%

RKLB has a negative Return on Equity of -48.14%. 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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

DAL

7.24%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 16.00%
Q3: 8.99%
Median: 6.35%
Q1: 3.18%
Min: -4.22%

DAL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.24% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-45.87%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.66%
Q3: 8.61%
Median: 6.59%
Q1: 4.92%
Min: 1.01%

RKLB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -45.87%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

DAL

9.30%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.47%
Q3: 12.67%
Median: 8.62%
Q1: 4.63%
Min: -2.30%

DAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% is around the midpoint for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-44.08%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 22.35%
Q3: 12.83%
Median: 9.29%
Q1: 6.38%
Min: -2.15%

RKLB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -44.08%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.02%	-48.14%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.85%	-17.98%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	7.24%	-45.87%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	9.30%	-44.08%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.92%	29.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

0.38

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.91
Median: 0.73
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.18

DAL’s Current Ratio of 0.38 falls into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

RKLB

2.67

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.35
Q3: 2.03
Median: 1.24
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.77

RKLB’s Current Ratio of 2.67 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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

0.86

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 10.23
Q3: 5.04
Median: 1.27
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.00

DAL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 is typical for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

RKLB

0.63

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.72
Q3: 0.96
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.37
Min: 0.03

RKLB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

DAL

5.37

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.60
Q3: 17.27
Median: 6.75
Q1: 1.94
Min: -8.55

DAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RKLB

-45.87

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.08
Median: 7.25
Q1: 2.65
Min: -7.63

RKLB has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -45.87. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.38	2.67
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.25	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.86	0.63
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.37	-45.87

Growth

Revenue Growth

DAL vs. RKLB: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

DAL vs. RKLB: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

DAL

1.03%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 7.04%
Q3: 3.76%
Median: 1.72%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

DAL’s Dividend Yield of 1.03% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.72%
Q3: 1.45%
Median: 0.48%
Q1: 0.08%
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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

DAL

8.67%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 99.73%
Q3: 50.30%
Median: 23.18%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

DAL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.67% is within the typical range for the Passenger Airlines industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 110.40%
Q3: 50.43%
Median: 17.11%
Q1: 0.46%
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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.03%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	8.67%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DAL

8.39

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 18.74
Q3: 11.24
Median: 8.33
Q1: 6.11
Min: 2.97

DAL’s P/E Ratio of 8.39 is within the middle range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

RKLB

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 67.20
Q3: 55.74
Median: 33.28
Q1: 27.49
Min: 15.02

P/E Ratio data for RKLB is currently unavailable.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

DAL

0.61

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.07
Q3: 0.73
Median: 0.62
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.09

DAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.61 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

RKLB

46.04

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 9.06
Q3: 4.87
Median: 2.47
Q1: 1.61
Min: 0.33

With a P/S Ratio of 46.04, 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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

1.84

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 3.47
Q3: 3.19
Median: 1.94
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.50

DAL’s P/B Ratio of 1.84 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines 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

23.97

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.90
Q3: 8.93
Median: 4.70
Q1: 3.03
Min: 0.83

At 23.97, 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.

DAL vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	RKLB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	8.39	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.61	46.04
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.84	23.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.76	--