Elbit Systems (ESLT) vs Rocket Lab (RKLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Elbit Systems (ESLT) has outperformed Rocket Lab (RKLB) over the past year, gaining 28.6% versus a gain of 4.7%. Over five years, RKLB leads with a +434.4% price change compared with +351.4% for ESLT. Rocket Lab is the larger company by market cap ($43.74 billion vs $31.17 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Elbit Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (36.2x vs 1161.7x for Rocket Lab). Elbit Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay one. Elbit Systems converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.7% 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 | ESLT | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $665.09 | $68.40 |
| Market cap | $31.17B | $43.74B |
| 1-day change | -0.60% | -4.89% |
| YTD return | +15.82% | -1.95% |
| 1-year return | +28.56% | +4.73% |
| 5-year return | +351.38% | +434.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.04 | — |
| Forward P/E | 36.22 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $13.29 | $-0.27 |
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.75 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.94B | $601.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.27% | +37.96% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $534.34M | $-198.21M |
| Gross margin | 24.38% | 34.43% |
| Operating margin | 8.46% | -38.03% |
| Net margin | 6.73% | -32.94% |
| 52-week high | $1,016.06 | $151.00 |
| 52-week low | $453.00 | $37.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.54% | -54.70% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.48% | +59.58% |
| Average volume | 79.13K | 19.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 46.86M | 598.46M |
| Employees | 21,000 | 2,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | 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
- ESLT has outperformed RKLB by 23.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Elbit Systems is more profitable, keeping 6.7 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 +16.27%).
About Elbit Systems
ESLT stock →Elbit Systems Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops and supplies defense and homeland security arenas products and services in Israel, North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Aerospace; C4I and Cyber; Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare; Land; and Elbit Systems of America.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 21,000 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
ESLT vs RKLB FAQ
Which is bigger, Elbit Systems or Rocket Lab?
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $43.74B compared with $31.17B for Elbit Systems (ESLT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESLT or RKLB?
ESLT returned +28.56% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.73% for RKLB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Elbit Systems or Rocket Lab?
Elbit Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Elbit Systems and Rocket Lab in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.