RKLB vs. PPA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) is a stock, while PPA (Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF) is Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the SPADE Defense Index. Over the past 3 years, RKLB returned 158.32%/yr vs 28.86%/yr for PPA. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RKLB vs. PPA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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 PPA's 11.20% return.

RKLB

• 1D: -10.79%
• 1M: -22.75%
• YTD: 46.77%
• 6M: 66.51%
• 1Y: 302.95%
• 3Y*: 158.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PPA

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 2.72%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 13.03%
• 1Y: 27.97%
• 3Y*: 28.86%
• 5Y*: 18.41%
• 10Y*: 17.72%

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

RKLB vs. PPA - 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%
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	11.20%	37.15%	25.28%	18.41%	9.52%	-0.90%

Correlation

The correlation between RKLB and PPA is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2021	0.49

The correlation between RKLB and PPA shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.61 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RKLB vs. PPA — 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

PPA

PPA Risk / Return Rank: 46
PPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PPA Omega Ratio Rank: 43
PPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
PPA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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. PPA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA). 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	PPA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.12	1.44	+1.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.14	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.74	2.11	+4.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.44	5.94	+9.49

RKLB vs. PPA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RKLB Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is higher than the PPA Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RKLB and PPA, 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. PPA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RKLB drawdown since its inception was -82.96%, which is greater than PPA's maximum drawdown of -57.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RKLB and PPA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RKLB	PPA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.96%	-57.37%	-25.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.01%	-13.71%	-29.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.49%	-15.24%	-40.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.84%	-6.15%	-25.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.29%	-9.18%	-42.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.75%	4.85%	+13.90%

Volatility

RKLB vs. PPA - Volatility Comparison

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a higher volatility of 31.54% compared to Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) at 8.91%. This indicates that RKLB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RKLB	PPA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.54%	8.91%	+22.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	73.47%	17.06%	+56.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	93.03%	20.04%	+72.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.62%	18.70%	+62.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.62%	20.73%	+60.89%

Dividends

RKLB vs. PPA - Dividend Comparison

RKLB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPA Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.38%	0.42%	0.61%	0.67%	0.83%	0.59%	0.88%	0.95%	0.90%	0.67%	1.70%	1.41%
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RKLB and PPA in my portfolio?

RKLB and PPA have a correlation of 0.61, 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 PPA?

RKLB has higher volatility (31.54%) compared to PPA (8.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RKLB dropped -82.96% vs PPA's -57.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 vs 1.44), 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.