RKLB vs. ROK: Rocket Lab vs. Rockwell Automation Stock Comparison
How do Rocket Lab (RKLB) and Rockwell Automation (ROK) 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
Rocket Lab (RKLB) and Rockwell Automation (ROK) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but RKLB is classified in Aerospace & Defense while ROK is classified in Electrical Equipment.
Rockwell Automation (ROK) has more than two decades of public-market history since December 31, 1981, whereas Rocket Lab (RKLB) listed on November 24, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.
| Profile Item | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Rocket Lab Corporation | Rockwell Automation Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Capital Goods | Capital Goods |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Electrical Equipment |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Electrical Components & Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 33.93 billion USD | 41.82 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 24, 2020 | December 31, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.96% | 6.19% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 138.86% | 16.94% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 31.49% | 4.86% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is heavily traded at around 19.51M shares per day, whereas Rockwell Automation (ROK) sees a more moderate 799.28K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 95.71% | 34.28% |
| Beta (5Y) | 3.14 | 1.54 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -78.32% | -45.09% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 19.51M | 799.28K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.09 | 0.06 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.14 | 0.07 |
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 Rockwell Automation (ROK) reports 38.73%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
38.73%
- Max
- 40.55%
- ROK
- 38.73%
- Q3
- 19.29%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 4.08%
- 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 Rockwell Automation (ROK) reports 15.68%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
15.68%
- Max
- 27.47%
- ROK
- 15.68%
- Q3
- 12.10%
- Median
- 6.30%
- Q1
- 1.40%
- Min
- -12.89%
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 Rockwell Automation (ROK) reports 14.75%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
14.75%
- Max
- 36.60%
- Q3
- 18.33%
- ROK
- 14.75%
- Median
- 11.12%
- Q1
- 5.14%
- Min
- -12.63%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | -7.92% | 38.73% |
| ROA (TTM) | -4.62% | 9.32% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | -21.51% | 15.68% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -24.57% | 14.75% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 37.26% | 48.95% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Only one side can be read here: Rocket Lab (RKLB) reports revenue growth of 37.96%, ranked against its industry; Rockwell Automation (ROK) has no revenue growth figure this period.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Rockwell Automation (ROK) reports EPS growth of 63.49%, ranked against its industry; Rocket Lab (RKLB) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 37.96% | -- |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 41.82% | -- |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | 63.49% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 1.62% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Rockwell Automation (ROK) at 2.11 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 5.48 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.
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
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
2.11
- Max
- 5.22
- Q3
- 2.95
- ROK
- 2.11
- Median
- 2.08
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.36
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 0.04 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Rockwell Automation (ROK) at 1.00 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
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
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
1.00
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.12
- ROK
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.48 | 2.11 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.04 | 1.00 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | 1.58 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Rocket Lab (RKLB) nor Rockwell Automation (ROK) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
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%
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 2.66%
- Q3
- 1.14%
- Median
- 0.24%
- ROK
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Rocket Lab (RKLB) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Rockwell Automation (ROK) reports a payout of 51.03%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
51.03%
- Max
- 67.39%
- ROK
- 51.03%
- Q3
- 28.02%
- Median
- 6.86%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 51.03% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Rockwell Automation (ROK) trades at 29.97 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Rocket Lab (RKLB) has no P/E ratio this period.
RKLB
Capital Goods industry group
--
- Max
- 59.38
- Q3
- 35.92
- Median
- 25.41
- Q1
- 19.47
- Min
- 3.03
- RKLB
- --
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
29.97
- Max
- 59.38
- Q3
- 35.92
- ROK
- 29.97
- Median
- 25.41
- Q1
- 19.47
- Min
- 3.03
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: Rockwell Automation (ROK) at 4.65 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 44.12 prices even higher, above its industry range.
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
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
4.65
- Max
- 7.54
- ROK
- 4.65
- Q3
- 3.76
- Median
- 2.15
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.03
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Rocket Lab (RKLB) at 9.09 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Rockwell Automation (ROK) at 11.76 prices even higher, above its industry range.
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
ROK
Capital Goods industry group
11.76
- ROK
- 11.76
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -1.08
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | RKLB | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | -- | 29.97 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 44.12 | 4.65 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 9.09 | 11.76 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -0.74% | -1.13% |