MSCI Set To Shakes Up Global ETF Lineups — SoFi, Affirm, Rocket Lab Join
MSCI Index Revisions: MSCI will update its ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes on August 26, adding 42 securities and removing 56, which may impact ETFs linked to these indexes and cause temporary trading volume spikes.
Investor Implications: The changes could create short-term trading opportunities for active traders, while long-term ETF holders are unlikely to see significant shifts in their risk-return profiles, as the adjustments represent only a small fraction of the overall portfolios.
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- Significant Revenue Growth: Rocket Lab's revenue reached $554 million over the past 12 months, reflecting nearly a 1,000% increase over five years, indicating strong demand in the small rocket launch market and potential for business expansion.
- Growing Backlog: The company's backlog grew by 56% year-over-year last quarter, exceeding $500 million, suggesting sustainability of future revenues and competitive positioning, especially against SpaceX.
- Challenges with Neutron Rocket: Although the Neutron rocket is expected to undergo its first test flight in 2026, delays may hinder the company's ability to generate commercial revenue that year, increasing uncertainty around profitability.
- Overvaluation Concerns: With a market cap of $39 billion and a price-to-sales ratio of 67, Rocket Lab's high valuation, despite rapid growth, raises concerns about disappointing returns for investors due to its low gross margin operations.
- New Mission Announcement: Rocket Lab has announced the upcoming launch of the 'Cassowary Vex' mission scheduled for late February, aimed at providing dedicated launch services for the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), marking a significant expansion into the defense sector.
- Hypersonic Testing Capability: The HASTE rocket will be utilized for this launch, capable of conducting tests at speeds up to Mach 20, significantly enhancing hypersonic testing capabilities for the U.S. and its allies, addressing the urgent needs of the Department of Defense for rapid testing.
- Increased Launch Frequency: This marks Rocket Lab's fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, enhancing U.S. competitive advantage in space by lowering costs and increasing launch tempo, thereby ensuring national security.
- Strategic Partnerships: The mission involves collaboration with Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix, showcasing Rocket Lab's strategic positioning in international cooperation and technological innovation, further solidifying its leadership in the global space market.
- Market Sentiment Weakens: The potential SpaceX IPO has shifted liquidity away from space stocks, creating resistance in 2026 and leading to a broad decline in shares like Rocket Lab (RKLB), as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach.
- Funding Shortfall Impact: Congress's decision to withhold funding for the planned 2031 Mars sample-return mission has prompted investors to reassess Rocket Lab's long-term opportunities, increasing market uncertainty surrounding the company's future.
- Stock Price Volatility: Rocket Lab shares have traded between $16.37 and $96.30 over the past year, and while they have pulled back recently, they remain above the 200-day moving average, indicating some resilience in the market.
- Momentum Score Analysis: According to Benzinga Edge data, Rocket Lab boasts a momentum score of 97.98, with bearish short- and medium-term price trends, yet a bullish long-term outlook, reflecting mixed market sentiment regarding its future potential.
- Valuation Challenges: Rocket Lab's current market cap stands at $39 billion with a price-to-sales ratio of 67, and despite rapid revenue growth, its low gross margins raise concerns about disappointing future returns, potentially leading to stock price declines.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Over the past 12 months, Rocket Lab generated $554 million in revenue, reflecting nearly a 1,000% increase over five years, indicating strong demand in the small rocket launch and space systems sectors.
- Rocket Project Delays: The first test flight of Rocket Lab's new Neutron rocket has been postponed to 2026, which may hinder the company's commercial revenue prospects in the coming year and increase uncertainty regarding profitability.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: The Neutron rocket aims to compete directly with SpaceX, and while its larger payload capacity could drive revenue growth, the lack of proven effectiveness raises significant market uncertainties for the company.
Stock Performance: Rocket Lab's shares have recently declined nearly 10% for the month and over 20% from their peak in January, placing the stock in bear market territory.
Incident Impact: The stock's pullback was triggered by a Stage 1 tank rupture during qualification testing, raising concerns about the company's growth story and potential delays in future launches.
Investor Sentiment: Despite the recent volatility, analysts maintain a positive outlook on Rocket Lab's long-term potential, emphasizing that no damage occurred to surrounding facilities and that development programs remain active.
Market Outlook: The upcoming earnings report will be crucial for investors, focusing on updates regarding the Neutron launch timeline and the company's growing backlog, with analysts suggesting that the recent pullback may represent a pause rather than a trend reversal.
- Funding Challenges: Rocket Lab's stock is under pressure due to Congress's decision to withhold funding for the planned 2031 Mars sample-return mission, prompting investors to recalibrate expectations for the company's long-term opportunities.
- Market Sentiment Volatility: Renewed chatter around a potential SpaceX IPO has dampened interest in publicly traded space companies like Rocket Lab, leading investors to take profits ahead of any potential listing, exacerbating stock volatility.
- Mixed Technical Indicators: Despite a 143.15% increase over the past 12 months, Rocket Lab's shares are currently trading 11.1% below their 20-day simple moving average, indicating an unclear short-term outlook that warrants caution from investors.
- Strong Momentum Score: Rocket Lab's Benzinga Edge score of 95.97 indicates strong momentum, suggesting the stock is outperforming the broader market, although recent funding challenges and mixed technical signals may impact investor confidence.







