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

Updated on November 21, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
Company Name	PACCAR Inc	Rocket Lab Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Machinery	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	50.08 billion USD	23.22 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqCM
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	November 24, 2020
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PCAR 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
5-Day Price Return	-3.42%	-12.25%
13-Week Price Return	-2.68%	2.87%
26-Week Price Return	-0.70%	108.61%
52-Week Price Return	-18.16%	141.85%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.86%	-27.69%
Year-to-Date Return	-8.10%	78.80%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.93M	21.03M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.94M	22.41M
3-Month Volatility	25.61%	80.67%
Beta	1.04	2.28

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

PCAR

14.58%

Machinery Industry

Max: 30.85%
Q3: 19.99%
Median: 12.37%
Q1: 8.44%
Min: -7.69%

PCAR’s Return on Equity of 14.58% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-28.40%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 23.64%
Median: 12.98%
Q1: 8.07%
Min: -2.55%

RKLB has a negative Return on Equity of -28.40%. 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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

PCAR

9.11%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.28%
Q3: 10.99%
Median: 7.89%
Q1: 5.16%
Min: -1.46%

PCAR’s Net Profit Margin of 9.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-35.64%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.96%
Q3: 9.50%
Median: 6.59%
Q1: 4.45%
Min: 1.01%

RKLB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -35.64%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

PCAR

14.04%

Machinery Industry

Max: 27.20%
Q3: 15.91%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 7.73%
Min: 0.23%

PCAR’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.04% is around the midpoint for the Machinery industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

RKLB

-41.36%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 17.97%
Q3: 12.09%
Median: 9.29%
Q1: 6.41%
Min: -1.59%

RKLB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -41.36%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.58%	-28.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.17%	-12.72%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.11%	-35.64%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	14.04%	-41.36%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	20.67%	31.70%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

PCAR

1.76

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.27
Q3: 2.16
Median: 1.75
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.70

PCAR’s Current Ratio of 1.76 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

RKLB

3.18

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 2.01
Median: 1.22
Q1: 1.07
Min: 0.68

RKLB’s Current Ratio of 3.18 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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

PCAR

0.82

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.45
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.00

PCAR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Machinery industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.82. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

RKLB

0.34

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.89
Q3: 0.99
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.03

Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, RKLB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.34 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

PCAR

27.70

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 36.46
Median: 13.55
Q1: 7.73
Min: -1.43

PCAR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 27.70 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RKLB

-45.87

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 29.86
Q3: 19.49
Median: 7.09
Q1: 2.62
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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.76	3.18
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.38	2.69
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.82	0.34
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	27.70	-45.87

Growth

Revenue Growth

PCAR 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

PCAR 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)

PCAR

4.48%

Machinery Industry

Max: 4.98%
Q3: 2.83%
Median: 1.89%
Q1: 1.17%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 4.48%, PCAR offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Machinery industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.87%
Q3: 1.46%
Median: 0.58%
Q1: 0.10%
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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

PCAR

83.66%

Machinery Industry

Max: 209.29%
Q3: 102.41%
Median: 62.34%
Q1: 29.36%
Min: 0.00%

PCAR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 83.66% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

RKLB

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 110.40%
Q3: 51.46%
Median: 20.20%
Q1: 4.21%
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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	4.48%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	83.66%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

PCAR

18.66

Machinery Industry

Max: 46.28
Q3: 29.52
Median: 24.18
Q1: 16.92
Min: 7.99

PCAR’s P/E Ratio of 18.66 is within the middle range for the Machinery 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: 94.22
Q3: 53.31
Median: 32.27
Q1: 24.64
Min: 14.57

P/E Ratio data for RKLB is currently unavailable.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

PCAR

1.70

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.25
Q3: 2.82
Median: 1.74
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.27

PCAR’s P/S Ratio of 1.70 aligns with the market consensus for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

RKLB

41.72

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 7.20
Q3: 3.95
Median: 2.35
Q1: 1.71
Min: 0.32

With a P/S Ratio of 41.72, 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

PCAR

2.67

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.18
Q3: 4.18
Median: 2.71
Q1: 1.54
Min: 0.52

PCAR’s P/B Ratio of 2.67 is within the conventional range for the Machinery 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

18.10

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 18.61
Q3: 9.58
Median: 5.45
Q1: 3.11
Min: 0.94

RKLB’s P/B Ratio of 18.10 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	PCAR	RKLB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	18.66	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.70	41.72
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.67	18.10
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.72	--