Rocket Lab (RKLB) vs Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has outperformed Rocket Lab (RKLB) over the past year, gaining 44.3% versus a gain of 2.7%. Over five years, STRL leads with a +2144.2% price change compared with +432.9% for RKLB. Rocket Lab is the larger company by market cap ($43.61 billion vs $15.69 billion), about 2.8 times the size.
On valuation, Sterling Infrastructure trades at a lower forward P/E (20.2x vs 1158.5x for Rocket Lab). Sterling Infrastructure converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% 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 | RKLB | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $68.21 | $513.00 |
| Market cap | $43.61B | $15.69B |
| 1-day change | -0.28% | -1.04% |
| YTD return | -2.22% | +67.52% |
| 1-year return | +2.69% | +44.29% |
| 5-year return | +432.89% | +2144.20% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 36.96 |
| Forward P/E | — | 20.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-0.27 | $13.88 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $601.80M | $2.49B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +37.96% | +17.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-198.21M | $290.15M |
| Gross margin | 34.43% | 22.98% |
| Operating margin | -38.03% | 16.30% |
| Net margin | -32.94% | 11.65% |
| 52-week high | $151.00 | $1,005.68 |
| 52-week low | $37.57 | $281.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -54.83% | -48.99% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +60.02% | +64.80% |
| Average volume | 19.38M | 651.73K |
| Shares outstanding | 598.46M | 30.59M |
| Employees | 2,600 | 6,200 |
| 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
- Rocket Lab is about 2.8 times larger than Sterling Infrastructure by market value ($43.61B vs $15.69B).
- STRL has outperformed RKLB by 41.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Sterling Infrastructure is more profitable, keeping 11.7 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 +17.69%).
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
About Sterling Infrastructure
STRL stock →Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. engages in the provision of e-infrastructure, transportation, and building solutions in the United States.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 6,200 employees
RKLB vs STRL FAQ
Which is bigger, Rocket Lab or Sterling Infrastructure?
Rocket Lab (RKLB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $43.61B compared with $15.69B for Sterling Infrastructure (STRL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RKLB or STRL?
STRL returned +44.29% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.69% for RKLB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Rocket Lab and Sterling Infrastructure in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.