RKLB vs. SPCE

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) and SPCE (Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Aerospace & Defense industry within the Industrials sector. Over the past 3 years, RKLB returned 135.81%/yr vs -67.89%/yr for SPCE. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

RKLB vs. SPCE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RKLB achieves a 16.17% return, which is significantly higher than SPCE's -19.94% return.

RKLB

• 1D: -1.83%
• 1M: -20.85%
• 6M: -4.49%
• YTD: 16.17%
• 1Y: 107.64%
• 3Y*: 135.81%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPCE

• 1D: -1.91%
• 1M: -34.27%
• 6M: -19.18%
• YTD: -19.94%
• 1Y: -17.63%
• 3Y*: -67.89%
• 5Y*: -69.56%
• 10Y*: —

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

RKLB vs. SPCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	16.17%	173.89%	360.58%	46.68%	-69.30%	8.67%
SPCE Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc.	-19.94%	-45.41%	-88.00%	-29.60%	-73.99%	-47.41%

Correlation

The correlation between RKLB and SPCE is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2021	0.52

The correlation between RKLB and SPCE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Fundamentals

Market Cap RKLB : $46.91B SPCE : $160.32M
EPS RKLB : -$0.32 SPCE : -$3.83
PS Ratio RKLB : 67.84 SPCE : 132.73
PB Ratio RKLB : 21.67 SPCE : 0.91
Total Revenue (TTM) RKLB : $679.58M SPCE : $1.31M
Gross Profit (TTM) RKLB : $248.43M SPCE : -$50.86M
EBITDA (TTM) RKLB : -$177.36M SPCE : -$235.21M

Return for Risk

RKLB vs. SPCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RKLB

RKLB Risk / Return Rank: 79
RKLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
RKLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
RKLB Omega Ratio Rank: 76
RKLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
RKLB Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SPCE

SPCE Risk / Return Rank: 43
SPCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SPCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
SPCE Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SPCE 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. SPCE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE). 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	SPCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	-0.14	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	0.63	+1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.08	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	-0.24	+2.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	-0.45	+5.51

RKLB vs. SPCE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RKLB Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the SPCE Sharpe Ratio of -0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RKLB and SPCE, 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. SPCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RKLB drawdown since its inception was -82.96%, smaller than the maximum SPCE drawdown of -99.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RKLB and SPCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RKLB	SPCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.96%	-99.82%	+16.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.29%	-66.76%	+20.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.49%	-97.46%	+41.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-99.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.06%	-99.78%	+53.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.08%	-78.74%	+27.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.29%	35.19%	-13.90%

Volatility

RKLB vs. SPCE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) is 30.90%, while Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (SPCE) has a volatility of 51.21%. This indicates that RKLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPCE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RKLB	SPCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	30.90%	51.21%	-20.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	72.13%	99.33%	-27.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	94.68%	111.33%	-16.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.96%	95.88%	-13.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.96%	100.35%	-18.39%

Dividends

RKLB vs. SPCE - Dividend Comparison

Neither RKLB nor SPCE has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RKLB and SPCE in my portfolio?

RKLB and SPCE have a correlation of 0.50, 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 SPCE?

SPCE has higher volatility (51.21%) compared to RKLB (30.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RKLB dropped -82.96% vs SPCE's -99.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 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.