RBC vs. RKLB: RBC Bearings vs. Rocket Lab Stock Comparison
How do RBC Bearings (RBC) and Rocket Lab (RKLB) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
RBC Bearings (RBC) and Rocket Lab (RKLB) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but RBC is classified in Machinery while RKLB is classified in Aerospace & Defense.
RBC Bearings (RBC) has more than two decades of public-market history since August 10, 2005, whereas Rocket Lab (RKLB) listed on November 24, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.
| Profile Item | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Name | RBC Bearings Incorporated | Rocket Lab Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Capital Goods | Capital Goods |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Aerospace & Defense |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 15.02 billion USD | 33.93 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | August 10, 2005 | November 24, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 13.77% | 12.96% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 30.63% | 138.86% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 15.68% | 31.49% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is heavily traded at around 19.51M shares per day, whereas RBC Bearings (RBC) sees a more moderate 309.06K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 29.69% | 95.71% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.34 | 3.14 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -34.92% | -78.32% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 309.06K | 19.51M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.32 | 0.09 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.45 | 0.14 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Rocket Lab (RKLB) reports a negative ROE of -7.92%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile RBC Bearings (RBC) reports 10.51%, ranking against industry peers normally.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
10.51%
- Max
- 40.55%
- Q3
- 19.29%
- Median
- 12.12%
- RBC
- 10.51%
- Q1
- 4.08%
- Min
- -17.12%
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
-7.92%
- Max
- 40.55%
- Q3
- 19.29%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 4.08%
- RKLB
- -7.92%
- Min
- -17.12%
Net Margin (TTM)
Rocket Lab (RKLB) reports a negative net margin of -21.51%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile RBC Bearings (RBC) reports 17.51%, ranking against industry peers normally.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
17.51%
- Max
- 27.47%
- RBC
- 17.51%
- Q3
- 12.10%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- 1.40%
- Min
- -12.89%
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
-21.51%
- Max
- 27.47%
- Q3
- 12.10%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- 1.40%
- Min
- -12.89%
- RKLB
- -21.51%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Rocket Lab (RKLB) reports a negative operating margin of -24.57%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile RBC Bearings (RBC) reports 24.97%, ranking against industry peers normally.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
24.97%
- Max
- 36.60%
- RBC
- 24.97%
- Q3
- 18.33%
- Median
- 11.12%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -12.63%
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
-24.57%
- Max
- 36.60%
- Q3
- 18.33%
- Median
- 11.12%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -12.63%
- RKLB
- -24.57%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 10.51% | -7.92% |
| ROA (TTM) | 6.06% | -4.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 17.51% | -21.51% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 24.97% | -24.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 45.61% | 37.26% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 37.96% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while RBC Bearings (RBC) at 14.34% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for RKLB.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: RBC Bearings (RBC) reports EPS growth of 18.05%, ranked against its industry; Rocket Lab (RKLB) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 14.34% | 37.96% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 8.39% | 41.82% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 18.05% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 22.54% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both RBC Bearings (RBC) at 3.13 and Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 5.48 post current ratio above their industries’ typical mid-ranges — short-term liquidity appears comfortable, though unusually high readings can point to idle current assets.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
3.13
- Max
- 5.22
- RBC
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.95
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.36
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
5.48
- RKLB
- 5.48
- Max
- 5.22
- Q3
- 2.95
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.36
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both RBC Bearings (RBC) at 0.22 and Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 0.04 keep leverage in the lower quartile of their industries, with less balance-sheet debt relative to equity than most peers.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
0.22
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.29
- RBC
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.00
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
0.04
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.29
- RKLB
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.13 | 5.48 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.22 | 0.04 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.09 | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither RBC Bearings (RBC) nor Rocket Lab (RKLB) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 2.66%
- Q3
- 1.14%
- Median
- 0.24%
- RBC
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 2.66%
- Q3
- 1.14%
- Median
- 0.24%
- RKLB
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither RBC Bearings (RBC) nor Rocket Lab (RKLB) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 67.39%
- Q3
- 28.02%
- Median
- 6.86%
- RBC
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 67.39%
- Q3
- 28.02%
- Median
- 6.86%
- RKLB
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: RBC Bearings (RBC) trades at 42.44 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Rocket Lab (RKLB) has no P/E ratio this period.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
42.44
- Max
- 59.38
- RBC
- 42.44
- Q3
- 35.92
- Median
- 25.41
- Q1
- 19.47
- Min
- 3.03
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
--
- Max
- 59.38
- Q3
- 35.92
- Median
- 25.41
- Q1
- 19.47
- Min
- 3.03
- RKLB
- --
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: RBC Bearings (RBC) at 7.42 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 44.12 prices even higher, above its industry range.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
7.42
- Max
- 7.54
- RBC
- 7.42
- Q3
- 3.76
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.03
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
44.12
- RKLB
- 44.12
- Max
- 7.54
- Q3
- 3.76
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.03
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
RBC Bearings (RBC) at 4.21 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 9.09 carries an above-peer premium to book — RKLB is pricier on assets.
RBC
Capital Goods industry group
4.21
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.00
- RBC
- 4.21
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -1.08
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
9.09
- Max
- 9.66
- RKLB
- 9.09
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -1.08
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | RBC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 42.44 | -- |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 7.42 | 44.12 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.21 | 9.09 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.22% | -0.74% |