AECOM (ACM) vs Rocket Lab (RKLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has outperformed AECOM (ACM) over the past year, gaining 16.9% versus a loss of 55.0%. Over five years, RKLB leads with a +461.9% price change compared with -8.2% for ACM. Rocket Lab is the larger company by market cap ($43.74 billion vs $7.65 billion), about 5.7 times the size.
On valuation, AECOM trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 1266.9x for Rocket Lab). AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.00%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay one. AECOM converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 3.5% versus -32.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ACM | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.46 | $68.40 |
| Market cap | $7.65B | $43.74B |
| 1-day change | +2.02% | -4.89% |
| YTD return | -38.86% | +3.10% |
| 1-year return | -54.97% | +16.92% |
| 5-year return | -8.22% | +461.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.94 | — |
| Forward P/E | 9.33 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.84 | $-0.27 |
| Dividend yield | 2.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.19 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.14B | $601.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.21% | +37.96% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $561.77M | $-198.21M |
| Gross margin | 7.54% | 34.43% |
| Operating margin | 6.36% | -38.03% |
| Net margin | 3.48% | -32.94% |
| 52-week high | $135.52 | $151.00 |
| 52-week low | $56.39 | $37.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -56.12% | -54.70% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +44.77% | +59.58% |
| Average volume | 1.93M | 19.22M |
| Shares outstanding | 128.70M | 598.46M |
| Employees | 51,000 | 2,600 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Military/Government/Technical | Military/Government/Technical |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Rocket Lab is about 5.7 times larger than AECOM by market value ($43.74B vs $7.65B).
- RKLB has outperformed ACM by 71.9 percentage points over the past year.
- AECOM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.00% vs 0.00%).
- AECOM is more profitable, keeping 3.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -32.9 cents for Rocket Lab.
- Rocket Lab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+37.96% vs +0.21%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AECOM in Consumer Discretionary and Rocket Lab in Industrials.
About AECOM
ACM stock →AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services for governments, businesses, and organizations internationally. The company operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital.
Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 51,000 employees
About Rocket Lab
RKLB stock →Rocket Lab Corporation, a space company, provides launch services and space systems solutions in the United States, Canada, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through launch services and space systems segments.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 2,600 employees
ACM vs RKLB FAQ
Which is bigger, AECOM or Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $43.74B compared with $7.65B for AECOM (ACM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACM or RKLB?
RKLB returned +16.92% over the past 12 months, compared with -54.97% for ACM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, AECOM or Rocket Lab?
AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.00%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AECOM and Rocket Lab in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.