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

Updated on August 24, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GE	RKLB
Company Name	GE Aerospace	Rocket Lab Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	282.54 billion USD	19.63 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqCM
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	November 24, 2020
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GE	RKLB
5-Day Price Return	-1.21%	-4.95%
13-Week Price Return	13.24%	57.71%
26-Week Price Return	27.87%	43.78%
52-Week Price Return	55.88%	465.92%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.71%	-11.39%
Year-to-Date Return	59.75%	59.76%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.18M	21.94M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.09M	20.72M
3-Month Volatility	23.66%	73.27%
Beta	1.53	2.20

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

RKLB

-48.14%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

RKLB

-45.87%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-44.08%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GE	RKLB
Return on Equity (TTM)	40.51%	-48.14%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.22%	-17.98%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.64%	-45.87%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.53%	-44.08%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.97%	29.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates 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: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RKLB

-45.87

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GE	RKLB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	2.67
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	2.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.63
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.01	-45.87

Growth

Revenue Growth

GE 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

GE 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)

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
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.

GE vs. RKLB: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GE	RKLB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.46%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.78%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

RKLB

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

P/E Ratio data for RKLB is currently unavailable.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

RKLB

38.93

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 38.93, 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

RKLB

23.97

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GE	RKLB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	36.39	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.78	38.93
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.26	23.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	51.39	--