RKLB vs. AVAV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) and AVAV (AeroVironment, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Aerospace & Defense industry within the Industrials sector. Over the past 3 years, RKLB returned 158.32%/yr vs 20.96%/yr for AVAV. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RKLB vs. AVAV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RKLB achieves a 46.77% return, which is significantly higher than AVAV's -29.48% return.

RKLB

• 1D: -10.79%
• 1M: -17.53%
• YTD: 46.77%
• 6M: 66.51%
• 1Y: 287.84%
• 3Y*: 158.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AVAV

• 1D: -7.14%
• 1M: 5.96%
• YTD: -29.48%
• 6M: -28.63%
• 1Y: -10.28%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: 18.47%

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

RKLB vs. AVAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	46.77%	173.89%	360.58%	46.68%	-69.30%	8.67%
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc.	-29.48%	57.18%	22.10%	47.14%	38.09%	-38.73%

Correlation

The correlation between RKLB and AVAV is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2021	0.41

The correlation between RKLB and AVAV shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.54 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap RKLB : $61.99B AVAV : $8.32B
EPS RKLB : -$0.33 AVAV : -$4.63
PS Ratio RKLB : 83.69 AVAV : 6.94
PB Ratio RKLB : 27.38 AVAV : 1.95
Total Revenue (TTM) RKLB : $679.58M AVAV : $1.19B
Gross Profit (TTM) RKLB : $248.43M AVAV : $104.63M
EBITDA (TTM) RKLB : -$177.36M AVAV : -$242.06M

Return for Risk

RKLB vs. AVAV — Risk / Return Rank

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

RKLB

RKLB Risk / Return Rank: 93
RKLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
RKLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RKLB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
RKLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RKLB Martin Ratio Rank: 94

AVAV

AVAV Risk / Return Rank: 38
AVAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
AVAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
AVAV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AVAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
AVAV Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

RKLB vs. AVAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RKLB	AVAV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.12	-0.14	+3.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	0.33	+2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.04	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.74	-0.17	+6.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.44	-0.30	+15.73

RKLB vs. AVAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RKLB Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is higher than the AVAV Sharpe Ratio of -0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RKLB and AVAV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RKLB vs. AVAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RKLB drawdown since its inception was -82.96%, which is greater than AVAV's maximum drawdown of -61.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RKLB and AVAV.

Drawdown Indicators

	RKLB	AVAV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.96%	-61.45%	-21.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.01%	-61.45%	+18.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.49%	-61.45%	+5.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-61.45%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-61.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.84%	-58.38%	+26.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.29%	-28.71%	-22.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.75%	34.44%	-15.69%

Volatility

RKLB vs. AVAV - Volatility Comparison

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a higher volatility of 31.54% compared to AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) at 26.86%. This indicates that RKLB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RKLB	AVAV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.54%	26.86%	+4.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	73.47%	57.90%	+15.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	93.03%	74.35%	+18.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.62%	56.01%	+25.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.62%	52.05%	+29.57%

Dividends

RKLB vs. AVAV - Dividend Comparison

Neither RKLB nor AVAV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RKLB and AVAV in my portfolio?

RKLB and AVAV have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RKLB or AVAV?

RKLB has higher volatility (31.54%) compared to AVAV (26.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RKLB dropped -82.96% vs AVAV's -61.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 vs -0.14), 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.