Rocket Lab Analyst Calls Neutron Launch the ‘Most Material Catalyst’

Rocket Lab Corp. (NASDAQ:RKLB) stock rose nearly 2% in Tuesday premarket trading, extending gains after jumping 8.24% on Monday. Cantor Backs Rocket Lab Growth Story The rally came after Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed its Overweight rating and $122 price forecast on Monday. Investors are now watching whether Rocket Lab can build on the momentum and extend its rebound following a volatile midyear stretch. The firm cited the company’s pending Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) acquisition, strong launch record and upcoming Neutron rocket debut. Rocket Lab said Sept. 15 that it had secured enough cash to fund the Iridium deal, which is expected to close in mid-2027. Cantor said the combined company could roughly double annual revenue. Rocket Lab also completed its 96th successful electron launch last weekend. Cantor called that track record an important competitive advantage. Neutron Launch Remains Key Catalyst The firm said Neutron’s first launch, targeted for later this year, remains the “most material catalyst”. Once operational, Cantor expects Neutron to become the only viable alternative and most direct competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Cantor also highlighted Rocket Lab’s diversified customers, three rocket platforms and dedicated launch sites as key strengths. Nasdaq futures fell 0.10%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.06%. Rocket Lab’s premarket gain appears to be driven by continued buying after Monday’s analyst boost and recent technical improvement. The stock has climbed back above its shorter-term moving averages. However, it remains below key longer-term levels. The broader market backdrop is mixed. S&P 500 futures were slightly higher, while Nasdaq futures remained in negative territory. That could keep attention on stock-specific catalysts and technical setups. See More: Top Value Stocks Technical Analysis Rocket Lab is trading above its 20-day simple moving average of $64.84 and its 50-day SMA of $69.67. That supports the stock’s improving near-term trend. However, the longer-term picture remains weaker. The stock is about 19.5% below its 100-day SMA of $88.38. It is also roughly 11.7% below its 200-day SMA of $80.62. The relative strength index stands at 54.03. That points to neutral momentum, with the stock neither overbought nor oversold. The trend structure also remains mixed. The 20-day SMA is still below the 50-day SMA. In addition, a death cross formed in August when the 50-day SMA moved below the 200-day SMA. Traders are watching resistance near $78.50. A move through that level could bring the 200-day SMA into focus. Support sits near $61, around the stock’s recent consolidation range. Analyst Outlook Rocket Lab carries a Buy consensus rating with an average price forecast of $110.14. Recent analyst actions include Raymond James initiating coverage with an Outperform rating and an $80 price forecast on Sept. 11. Bank of America Securities maintained a Buy rating on Aug. 31 but lowered its price forecast to $110. Citizens maintained a Market Outperform rating and a $130 price forecast on Aug. 11. Cantor Fitzgerald most recently reaffirmed its Overweight rating and $122 price forecast on Sept. 21. Benzinga Edge Rankings Rocket Lab has a Momentum score of 46.1 on the Benzinga Edge scorecard. That neutral reading reflects a mixed trend. The stock has improved in the short term but has yet to reclaim its major longer-term moving averages. The $78.50 resistance level and $61 support area could provide the next technical signals for traders. Top ETF Exposure Rocket Lab has notable weightings in several exchange-traded funds. The ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (BATS:ARKQ) has a 3.67% weighting in Rocket Lab. The Tema Space Innovators ETF (NYSE:NASA) has a 9.68% weighting, while the ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (NASDAQ:ARKX) has a 5.09% weighting. Because Rocket Lab represents a meaningful portion of these funds, large ETF inflows or outflows can create additional buying or selling pressure in the stock. Price Action RKLB Price Action: Rocket Lab shares rose 1.63% to $71.03 in Tuesday premarket trading, according to Benzinga Pro data. Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab Read Also: SpaceX Adds $100B in One Day—That’s More Than Two Rocket Labs