The momentum has shown little sign of slowing for Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB). Shares of the aerospace and defense company have gone from strength to strength, rising roughly 1,775% over the past three years and nearly 175% year to date. Those are eye-catching returns by any standard, yet Rocket Lab continues to stand out for a different reason. Despite its remarkable performance, the company is still entering one of the most catalyst-rich phases of its growth story.
That combination is rare. Stocks that deliver this level of upside often do so by pulling forward future expectations. In Rocket Lab’s case, the runway ahead may be just as compelling as the distance already traveled. That dynamic helps explain why sentiment remains so constructive heading into 2026. Even retail enthusiasm reflects optimism, with Rocket Lab recently ranking among the most upvoted stocks in a WallStreetBets poll looking ahead to next year.
