Lockheed Martin (LMT) 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
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has outperformed Lockheed Martin (LMT) over the past year, gaining 4.7% versus a loss of 1.2%. Over five years, RKLB leads with a +434.4% price change compared with +36.5% for LMT. Lockheed Martin is the larger company by market cap ($117.22 billion vs $43.74 billion), about 2.7 times the size, while Rocket Lab is growing revenue faster (+38.0% vs +5.6%).
On valuation, Lockheed Martin trades at a lower forward P/E (15.6x vs 1161.7x for Rocket Lab). Lockheed Martin pays a dividend yielding 2.69%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay one. Lockheed Martin 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 | LMT | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $507.89 | $68.40 |
| Market cap | $117.22B | $43.74B |
| 1-day change | +1.74% | -4.89% |
| YTD return | +5.01% | -1.95% |
| 1-year return | -1.19% | +4.73% |
| 5-year return | +36.54% | +434.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.72 | — |
| Forward P/E | 15.55 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $27.13 | $-0.27 |
| Dividend yield | 2.69% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $13.65 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $75.05B | $601.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.64% | +37.96% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.02B | $-198.21M |
| Gross margin | 10.15% | 34.43% |
| Operating margin | 10.30% | -38.03% |
| Net margin | 6.69% | -32.94% |
| 52-week high | $692.00 | $151.00 |
| 52-week low | $437.25 | $37.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.61% | -54.70% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.21% | +59.58% |
| Average volume | 1.14M | 19.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 230.79M | 598.46M |
| Employees | 123,000 | 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
- Lockheed Martin is about 2.7 times larger than Rocket Lab by market value ($117.22B vs $43.74B).
- Lockheed Martin offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.69% vs 0.00%).
- Lockheed Martin 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 +5.64%).
About Lockheed Martin
LMT stock →Lockheed Martin Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Aeronautics; Missiles and Fire Control (MFC); Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS); and Space.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 123,000 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
LMT vs RKLB FAQ
Which is bigger, Lockheed Martin or Rocket Lab?
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $117.22B compared with $43.74B for Rocket Lab (RKLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LMT or RKLB?
RKLB returned +4.73% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.19% for LMT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Lockheed Martin or Rocket Lab?
Lockheed Martin pays a dividend yielding 2.69%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.