LUNA vs. RKLB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LUNA (Luna Innovations Incorporated) and RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) are both stocks. LUNA operates in Scientific & Technical Instruments (Technology), while RKLB operates in Aerospace & Defense (Industrials). Over the past 3 years, LUNA returned -50.14%/yr vs 193.05%/yr for RKLB. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LUNA vs. RKLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Luna Innovations Incorporated (LUNA) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

LUNA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 4.55%
• YTD: -0.00%
• 6M: -23.33%
• 1Y: 64.29%
• 3Y*: -50.14%
• 5Y*: -35.38%
• 10Y*: -0.00%

RKLB

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 56.48%
• YTD: 76.78%
• 6M: 194.32%
• 1Y: 363.61%
• 3Y*: 193.05%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

LUNA vs. RKLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LUNA Luna Innovations Incorporated	0.00%	-46.76%	-67.52%	-24.35%	4.15%	-21.12%
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	76.78%	173.89%	360.58%	46.68%	-69.30%	6.14%

Correlation

The correlation between LUNA and RKLB is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2021	0.24

The correlation between LUNA and RKLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Total Revenue (TTM) LUNA : $116.61M RKLB : $679.58M
Gross Profit (TTM) LUNA : $68.80M RKLB : $248.43M
EBITDA (TTM) LUNA : $7.02M RKLB : -$177.36M

Return for Risk

LUNA vs. RKLB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

LUNA

LUNA Risk / Return Rank: 67
LUNA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
LUNA Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
LUNA Omega Ratio Rank: 76
LUNA Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
LUNA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

RKLB

RKLB Risk / Return Rank: 94
RKLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
RKLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
RKLB Omega Ratio Rank: 90
RKLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
RKLB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

LUNA vs. RKLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Luna Innovations Incorporated (LUNA) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	LUNA	RKLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	4.00	-3.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	3.53	-1.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.43	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	8.38	-6.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.37	19.76	-16.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LUNA vs. RKLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LUNA Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the RKLB Sharpe Ratio of 4.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LUNA and RKLB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LUNA	RKLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	4.00	-3.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.79	-0.88

Drawdowns

LUNA vs. RKLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LUNA drawdown since its inception was -97.65%, which is greater than RKLB's maximum drawdown of -82.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LUNA and RKLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	LUNA	RKLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.65%	-82.96%	-14.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.29%	-43.01%	-7.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-97.16%	-55.49%	-41.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-97.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.01%	-17.91%	-73.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.21%	-51.50%	-13.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.83%	18.23%	+4.60%

Volatility

LUNA vs. RKLB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Luna Innovations Incorporated (LUNA) is 26.78%, while Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a volatility of 40.94%. This indicates that LUNA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RKLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LUNA	RKLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.78%	40.94%	-14.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	76.80%	72.09%	+4.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	135.50%	91.71%	+43.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	109.08%	81.41%	+27.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	86.41%	81.41%	+5.00%

Dividends

LUNA vs. RKLB - Dividend Comparison

Neither LUNA nor RKLB has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LUNA and RKLB in my portfolio?

LUNA and RKLB have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LUNA or RKLB?

RKLB has higher volatility (40.94%) compared to LUNA (26.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LUNA dropped -97.65% vs RKLB's -82.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 0.48), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.