Key Takeaways Over the past year, RKLB stock has surged 43.7%, significantly outperforming competitors in the aerospace sector. ARK Investment Management, led by Cathie Wood, accumulated more than 705,000 shares of RKLB valued at approximately $44 million during two recent trading sessions. CEO Peter Beck acknowledges the year-end launch window for Neutron is “narrowing,” positioning it as both a critical opportunity and substantial risk factor. Blue Origin secured a $700 million contract from NASA for Mars communications infrastructure, representing a setback for Rocket Lab’s competitive positioning. The company’s contract backlog reached an all-time high of $2.36 billion, representing 137% growth year-over-year and ensuring solid revenue visibility. Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB) are currently hovering around $62.54, experiencing a 2.2% decline on Tuesday and representing more than a 50% retreat from the peak achieved in May. Nevertheless, ARK Investment Management has maintained an aggressive accumulation strategy, acquiring 705,102 shares during two recent trading sessions totaling approximately $44 million in value.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
The Tuesday session alone saw ARK purchase 504,799 shares distributed across three separate ETFs, representing roughly $31.6 million based on Tuesday’s closing prices.
This accumulation activity occurs against a backdrop of significant selling pressure, with RKLB declining in nine out of the last ten trading sessions, followed by additional weakness in after-hours trading.
Analyst sentiment remains constructive despite recent price target adjustments. Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein reduced his price target from $115 to $110 on August 31, primarily accounting for anticipated share dilution, while maintaining his Buy recommendation. Even with this adjustment, Tuesday’s closing price suggests potential upside of approximately 76%.
Following the company’s second-quarter earnings release, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard raised his price target from $96 to $122, emphasizing Neutron as “the most material catalyst.” Meanwhile, Roth Capital’s Suji Desilva lowered his target from $130 to $110 while preserving his Buy rating, highlighting that the substantial backlog provides “meaningful near-term revenue coverage.”
The Neutron Factor Rocket Lab’s Neutron launch vehicle represents the focal point of investor debate. The platform is designed to penetrate the medium-lift launch segment, substantially expanding the company’s addressable market beyond Electron’s small-satellite niche.
However, CEO Peter Beck cautioned during the Q2 earnings call that the timeframe for achieving an inaugural launch before year-end is “narrowing.” Critical testing phases must still be completed successfully before flight operations commence. Any additional delays to Neutron’s deployment would postpone the growth trajectory that forms the foundation of bullish analyst price targets.
The orbital launch industry continues facing supply constraints, positioning Rocket Lab favorably if operational execution remains on track. Electron has successfully completed 87 missions to date, while HASTE provides critical support for government programs. The company currently has commitments for over 90 launches spanning Electron, HASTE, and Neutron platforms.
NASA Contract Loss and Backlog Strength Market sentiment experienced another setback in after-hours trading Tuesday when NASA announced Blue Origin as the recipient of its Mars Telecommunications Network contract. This firm-fixed-price agreement carries a potential value of $700 million, with Blue Origin responsible for deploying a Mars orbiter by late 2028. Rocket Lab had been among the eligible bidders for this opportunity.
Despite this disappointment, the company’s Q2 2026 backlog achieved a record $2.36 billion, representing 137% growth compared to the prior year. Approximately 45.5% of this contracted work is scheduled for revenue recognition within the next twelve months.
Recent strategic acquisitions of Mynaric and Motiv have enhanced Rocket Lab’s capabilities in optical communications and robotics technologies. In August 2026, the company secured a position on the U.S. Space Force’s NITE-STAR IDIQ program, a contracting vehicle with a $981 million ceiling encompassing both space-based and ground systems.
Wall Street’s consensus earnings per share estimate for RKLB in 2026 has increased 44.44% during the past 60 days. The company maintains a total debt to capital ratio of just 0.83%, significantly below the industry benchmark of 61.47%. Its current ratio stands at 5.48, compared to the industry average of 2.06.
RKLB currently commands a valuation of 31.3X forward Price/Sales, representing a substantial premium compared to the industry average of 7.64X.
TLDRRocket Lab Secures $397 Million Space Force ContractDefense Contracts Expand Rocket Lab’s Government BusinessNeutron and GHOST Support Rocket Lab’s Defense StrategyGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Rocket Lab secures a $397M Space Force contract for Flatellites deployment. RKLB slips 0.49% as defense contract growth strengthens government business. Flatellites support airborne threat tracking through low-latency space systems. Rocket Lab’s 2026 U.S. defense contracts now total roughly $943 million overall. Neutron and GHOST expand Rocket Lab’s launch options for national defense missions. Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares slipped 0.49% to $79.71 on Friday after losing momentum above the $80 level. However, the company secured a $397 million U.S. Space Force contract for a new satellite fleet. The award expands Rocket Lab’s role in national security space programs and supports its growing defense business.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
Rocket Lab Secures $397 Million Space Force Contract The Space Force selected Rocket Lab to design, build, and launch satellites under its SB-AMTI program. The program aims to improve space-based tracking of airborne threats across contested operating environments. Rocket Lab will provide satellites carrying sensors and communication systems designed for rapid threat detection.
The company calls the new spacecraft Flatellites because their compact design supports stacked launches into orbit. Their flat structure allows launch vehicles to carry more spacecraft within available payload space. Rocket Lab also designed the satellites for larger orbital constellations requiring efficient deployment.
Each satellite will include low-latency communications and high-bandwidth systems for transmitting tracking information. The spacecraft will also carry sensors designed to identify and follow airborne targets. Consequently, the system could strengthen military awareness across regions where traditional surveillance faces operational limits.
Defense Contracts Expand Rocket Lab’s Government Business The $397 million award represents Rocket Lab’s largest announced national defense contract this year. Rocket Lab has disclosed four major U.S. government defense contracts during 2026. Together, those agreements carry a combined value of about $943 million.
The Defense Department previously awarded Rocket Lab $190 million for 20 HASTE test launches. Separately, the Space Force awarded $90 million for two satellites operating in geostationary orbit. Another $266 million agreement covers up to 18 missile-defense launches from Alaska.
These contracts strengthen Rocket Lab’s position across spacecraft manufacturing, satellite systems, and specialized launch services. They also increase the company’s exposure to U.S. defense spending on missile detection and space infrastructure. Meanwhile, Washington continues expanding space-based defense capabilities under broader missile-defense initiatives.
Neutron and GHOST Support Rocket Lab’s Defense Strategy Rocket Lab plans to launch the Flatellites in stacked configurations aboard its developing Neutron rocket. Neutron will provide greater lift capacity than the company’s existing Electron launch vehicle. The company designed Neutron to compete for larger commercial, government, and national security missions.
Rocket Lab currently expects Neutron to debut near the end of 2026 or during early 2027. The rocket will feature partial reusability while supporting larger payloads and satellite constellation deployments. Therefore, the Flatellites program could become an important early government mission for the vehicle.
Rocket Lab has also introduced GHOST, a portable launch system for Electron and HASTE missions. The system uses deployable infrastructure that can support launches from temporary or mobile locations. Together, Neutron and GHOST broaden Rocket Lab’s ability to serve fixed and responsive national security missions.
Key Takeaways Shares of RKLB declined over 9% during Tuesday’s premarket session following uncertainty around Neutron’s launch timeline Management confirmed Neutron will arrive at the pad in Q4 2026, but stopped short of guaranteeing a launch this year The timeline shift suggests Neutron’s maiden voyage could be postponed until 2027, missing the company’s year-end goal Second quarter revenue climbed to an all-time high of $234.06M, reflecting 62% growth compared to last year and exceeding projections by $3.12M Contract backlog swelled to a record $2.36B in Q2, marking a 137% increase from the prior year Shares of Rocket Lab experienced a sharp decline exceeding 9% in Tuesday’s premarket session after Chief Executive Peter Beck informed shareholders that the opportunity to launch Neutron before year-end is rapidly diminishing.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
Management had previously suggested the company remained positioned to introduce Neutron by the close of 2025. Currently, the inaugural flight appears likely to shift into 2027.
The aerospace firm confirmed it continues targeting Q4 2026 for transporting Neutron to the launch facility. However, executives declined to provide assurance regarding an actual liftoff during that timeframe.
“The opportunity for a year-end launch continues to narrow,” Beck explained during the quarterly earnings discussion. “Our current focus centers on risk management, weighing the timeline for our inaugural launch against our ability to rapidly and efficiently expand operations.”
This marks another setback for Neutron’s development schedule. The reusable medium-class rocket has been under construction to challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the commercial launch market.
Neutron’s design targets satellite constellation launches, defense-related missions, and deep space exploration. Its reusable first stage represents a critical element of the vehicle’s economic competitiveness.
Strong Financial Performance Fails to Offset Investor Concerns The timeline uncertainty eclipsed an otherwise impressive quarterly financial performance.
Second quarter revenue surged 62% compared to the same period last year, reaching a company record of $234.06M and surpassing Wall Street expectations by $3.12M.
The GAAP net loss per share improved to $0.08, versus $0.13 reported in the year-ago quarter.
The firm’s contract backlog reached an all-time high of $2.36B in Q2, representing 137% year-over-year expansion. Beck highlighted that additional agreements finalized after quarter-end bring new contract value beyond $1B for Q3 alone.
Rocket Lab announced over $437M in fresh launch contracts spanning its Electron, HASTE, and Neutron platforms during Q2 and the subsequent weeks.
This expanded the total launch manifest to exceed 90 missions, establishing yet another company milestone.
Future Outlook for Rocket Lab For the upcoming quarter, Rocket Lab projected revenue between $250M and $265M. This forecast exceeds the Street consensus estimate of approximately $236M.
The robust guidance and expanding backlog demonstrate continued momentum in the company’s existing operations. Nevertheless, market participants remain fixated on Neutron’s development.
Neutron represents Rocket Lab’s gateway to competing in larger payload markets with enhanced margins. Any postponement to 2027 extends that strategic transition and introduces additional execution risk.
Beck refrained from committing to a specific date for Neutron’s debut flight. Company officials stated that manufacturing progress supports a Q4 pad arrival, though the precise launch window remains undefined.
The company’s complete launch manifest now encompasses more than 90 scheduled missions, underpinned by a record $2.36B backlog spanning both launch services and space systems segments.
Anthropic is reportedly planning to go public in September or early October and is currently holding pre-IPO meetings with potential investors.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Anthropic is meeting with potential investors to boost confidence in what could be the largest IPO in history. The $965 billion AI giant faces new challenges including the rise of low-cost AI systems, tensions with the Trump administration, and growing local opposition to its U.S. data center projects. People familiar with the matter say investors have raised these issues with Anthropic executives in recent pre-IPO meetings, asking how the factors could hit the company’s growth—reflecting persistent uncertainty over who will win the AI race and the financial stability underpinning the competition. Executives downplayed the impact of low-cost AI system competition in the meetings, telling investors Anthropic is focused on delivering cutting-edge AI models. The company plans to go public in September or early October, but has not disclosed specific pricing plans or a detailed timeline. Those present at the meetings add that Anthropic told some investors it plans to further expand into AI applications for healthcare and biology.
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Upbit to list DOS/KRW trading pair
According to an official announcement, Upbit will list the DOS/KRW trading pair, with trading expected to open at 14:00 local time on August 11.
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BIT rolls out weekly dual-currency investment yield rankings, with the Top 10 participants sharing 990 USDC each week.
According to official announcements, BIT has launched the "Dual Currency Investment (DCP) Yield Ranking List", which ranks users based on the annualized percentage rate (APR) of their current dual currency investment orders. The event runs from 10:00 UTC+8 every Monday to 16:00 UTC+8 every Sunday, with the ranking resetting weekly. Registered BIT users who complete registration and accumulate a total principal of at least $10,000 equivalent in dual currency investment orders during the current period are eligible for the list. The top 10 users in each period will split a total of 990 USDC in rewards: first place takes 588 USDC, while second and third places each receive 118 USDC. Only dual currency investment orders placed within the period, with a term of no less than 1 day and an APR greater than 0, are counted. For specific APR calculation methods, ranking rules, reward distribution, and participation terms, please refer to BIT's official event page.
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Serenity: Revenue inflection points for most AI data center companies are likely to occur in the second half of 2027
Serenity noted in a report that Riot Platforms (RIOT) has signed a $9.1 billion agreement with Anthropic, with a 20-year term; if all subsequent extension options are exercised, the total value could reach up to $16.1 billion. It also stated that AMD has exercised its option to expand its existing partnership with Riot, and Riot has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with a potential tenant for another 1GW campus. On project timelines, Serenity pointed out that the revenue inflection point for most data center hosting-related stocks is likely to occur in the second half of 2027. For example, the Riot-Anthropic partnership is scheduled to deliver its first 96MW capacity in December 2027, while the AMD-related 50MW capacity is expected to be fully operational by May 2027. Serenity said it is "interesting" to see companies like IREN, which were once primarily focused on Bitcoin mining, gradually growing into AI data center and computing power infrastructure providers.
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$BTC Bulls vs Bears: 4 Traders Short 3,895 $BTC ($249.4M), 2 Long 1,547 $BTC ($99.08M)
The battle between $BTC bulls and bears is heating up. Today, several gamblers opened massive $BTC positions with high leverage. 4 gamblers are short 3,895 $BTC($249.4M) in total, with liquidation prices at $64,600.83, $66,281.28, $66,305.03, and $66,545.09. 2 gamblers are long 1,547 $BTC($99.08M) in total, with liquidation prices at $61,200.15 and $61,831.74.
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Oraichain hit by cross-chain vulnerability, unauthorized ORAI tokens minted, network suspended.
Oraichain released a statement saying that yesterday’s incident stemmed from a vulnerability in the EVM cross-chain transfer path, which led to the unauthorized minting of ORAI tokens. Since 04:00 UTC on August 9, the network has been suspended, and bridge contracts, cross-chain paths, and public interfaces have been restricted to contain the incident’s impact. Oraichain noted that the relevant vulnerable path has been identified and addressed, and associated fund transfer routes have also been restricted. The team is working closely with partners and centralized exchanges to limit further fund flows and protect affected assets. Investigations and account reconciliations are ongoing, while the team is preparing to restore ORAI’s standard token supply—including burning the unauthorized minted balance, as well as verifying and repairing the state of affected protocols.
Liquidators of Three Arrows Capital sue Zhu Su’s wife, seeking to recover approximately $40 million in proceeds from the sale of Dubai properties.
According to The Business Times, crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), which is in liquidation, is suing co-founder Zhu Su’s wife Evelyn Tao Yaqiong to recover proceeds from the sale of a Dubai property worth approximately 146 million dirhams (around $40 million). Liquidators claim the property was purchased in June 2022, about three weeks before 3AC entered liquidation, for roughly 110 million dirhams (about $30 million), with funds suspected to have come from a $50 million cryptocurrency loan Zhu Su received from 3AC. In October 2023, while Zhu Su was serving a sentence in a Singapore prison, he transferred the property’s ownership to his wife, who then sold it in January 2024 for around $40 million. 3AC’s liquidators allege Zhu Su transferred the property to shield assets from creditors and liquidators, and accuse him of breaching fiduciary duty by diverting company funds to buy the asset. Zhu Su’s wife denied the allegations, stating she was unaware of the fund source or Zhu Su’s alleged violations, and claimed the property was a personal gift to her. She also noted the couple had separated as early as 2022, asserting her right to the sale proceeds. Three Arrows Capital collapsed in 2022 amid the crypto market crash, currently owes creditors over $3 billion, and its liquidators had previously sought to recover around $1.3 billion in assets from the two founders.
CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost noted in a post that Binance’s Whale Inflow Ratio has climbed to 0.52, hitting a 4-month high. Bitcoin is currently trading in a narrow range between $60,000 and $65,000, with whale activity intensifying markedly relative to retail and small traders. Whales are sending more BTC to Binance than other market participants, adding to Bitcoin’s selling pressure. Historically, spikes in this ratio have occurred at both market tops and bottoms, paired with panic and capitulation sell-offs. Given the current low-volatility environment, the indicator is likely to revert to normal quickly once this phase passes. Going forward, we need to monitor whether this trend persists.
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OKX’s Flash Earn Lite has launched RE’s "Stake to Earn" program, with a total of 700,000 RE in rewards available for participants to split.
According to official announcements, OKX’s Flash Earn Lite will launch a "Stake to Earn" campaign for RE (Re Protocol) from 15:00 (UTC+8) on August 11, 2026, to 15:00 (UTC+8) on August 17, 2026. During the event, users can participate in the subscription by locking BTC, RLUSD, OKB, or RE tokens, and will split 700,000 RE tokens as airdrop rewards. Additionally, users can join the subscription early starting today; rewards will be counted from the official start of the campaign. Users can view and participate in the activity via the "Flash Earn" entry at the top of the OKX App’s Explore page.
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US semiconductor storage sector falls in pre-market trading, SK Hynix down 3.5%
According to BIT (Bit.com) market data, the US stock memory sector is lower in pre-market trading, with SK Hynix’s decline widening to 3.5% and Micron Technology falling 2%.
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Two 200 ETH transactions linked to the Coldcard attack were sent to Tornado Cash.
According to CertiK’s monitoring, two transactions of 200 ETH each linked to the Coldcard attack incident were sent to Tornado Cash. The funds were first cross-bridged from BTC to an ETH address starting with 0x41B7 via THORChain, before being transferred to Tornado Cash.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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Lime, the electric scooter and e-bike rental company formally known as Neutron Holdings, is heading for the public markets with a Nasdaq listing under the ticker LIME. The company filed its S-1 registration with the SEC on May 8 and kicked off its roadshow on June 22, with pricing expected during the week of June 29.
The offering includes 6.96 million shares priced between $24 and $26 each, targeting approximately $174 million in proceeds. That would put Lime’s post-IPO valuation somewhere between $1.66 billion and $1.8 billion.
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Uber’s bet and the revenue question Uber plans to purchase up to $20 million in shares, accounting for roughly 11.5% of the total offering. Uber also accounted for about 14% of Lime’s revenue in 2025, meaning the ride-hailing company is simultaneously Lime’s biggest distribution partner and now one of its most visible public market backers.
Lime operates as the largest global provider of shared micromobility services, offering short-term rentals of electric scooters and e-bikes across hundreds of cities.
The balance sheet tells a different story Lime reported a net loss of $59.3 million in 2025. As of March 31, 2026, Lime held roughly $261 million in cash against current liabilities of approximately $1 billion.
The $174 million IPO raise, if fully subscribed at the top of the range, would bring total cash closer to $435 million. That still leaves a significant gap against those looming liabilities.
What this means for investors The $1.66 billion to $1.8 billion valuation range positions Lime as a mid-cap transportation play. Investors watching this IPO should pay close attention to the final pricing and first-day trading dynamics. Strong demand above the $26 top of range would suggest institutional appetite for micromobility exposure at scale. Pricing at or below the $24 floor would indicate that even with Uber’s endorsement, the market wants a discount for the financial risk.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Token unlock events release previously restricted tokens, often tied to fundraising agreements. These events are planned carefully to manage market impact and support price stability.
Here are five important token unlocks scheduled for today and the upcoming week.
XRP Although XRP had no scheduled vesting period today or in the common weeks, it experienced a surprising token unlock today on February 2.
Data from Whale Alert showed that 400 million XRP tokens – worth around $1.13 billion – were unlocked today by Ripple. However, the entire supply of the unlocked tokens won’t enter the market.
Ripple will only use a small portion of the tokens to select activities. The remaining tokens will be locked back into custody.
However, such a major token unlock could potentially impact the XRP price in the market.
XRP Token Unlock Today. Source: Whale AlertXRP is currently the third-largest cryptocurrency in the market, with a capitalization of over $160 billion. Despite a 300% rally since Trump’s election victory in November, XRP has shown some bearish signals in recent weeks.
Jito Labs (JTO) Unlock Date: February 7 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 11.3 Million JTO Current Circulating Supply: 289.4 Million JTO Jito Labs is a leading Solana MEV (Maximum Extractable Value) infrastructure company. It develops high-performance systems to improve the Solana blockchain’s efficiency and performance.
The company offers a liquid staking solution, allowing users to stake SOL tokens and receive JitoSOL in return. The JTO token is the governance token for the Jito Network, allowing holders to participate in key decisions shaping the network’s future.
JTO has a total supply of 1 billion tokens. Currently, around 289.4 million JTO tokens are in circulation. On February 7, the network will unlock an additional 11.3 million tokens worth around $33,89 million.
According to Cryptorank data, these tokens will be distributed to the network’s core contributors and investors.
JTO Unlock. Source: CryptorankGalxe (GAL) Unlock Date: February 5 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 5.18 Million GAL Current Circulating Supply: 127.7 Million GAL Galxe is a decentralized super app and Web3’s largest on-chain distribution platform. The platform offers various applications, including Galxe Quest, Galxe Compass, Galxe Passport, and Galxe Score, which enable user engagement and credential management.
The native utility token of the Galxe ecosystem is the GAL token, which powers transactions and serves as the gas token on the Gravity chain.
Galxe has a total supply of 200 million GAL tokens, with 70.5% token, around 127.7 million currently in circulation. On February 5, the network will unlock an additional 5.18 million GAL tokens.
The newly unlocked tokens will be distributed across the ecosystem. The lion’s share of the unlocked tokens – around 3.2 million – will go to investors or growth backers. The rest of the GAL tokens will be distributed among the community members, project team, partners, and advisors.
GAL Unlock. Source: CryptorankTARS AI (TAI) Unlock Date: February 2 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 26.7 Million TAI Current Circulating Supply: 586.6 Million TAI TARS AI is an AI-driven platform on the Solana blockchain that facilitates seamless Web2 to Web3 transitions with scalable solutions.
TAI has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with 59.4% still locked. Today, February 2, an additional 2.68%—26.7 million TAI tokens—will be unlocked. The tokens will be distributed among all major stakeholders of the platform.
The largest portion will be distributed to the platform’s ‘AI to Earn’ feature. The rest will be distributed among liquidity and market makers, project teams, community airdrops, and investors.
TAI Unlock. Source: CryptorankNeutron (NTRN) Unlock Date: February 3 Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 9.96 Million NTRN Current Circulating Supply: 284.8 Million NTRN
Neutron (NTRN) is a permissionless smart contract platform built using Tendermint and the Cosmos SDK. It enables inter-chain smart contract deployment and supports Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.
This allows developers to create cross-chain applications with enhanced security and interoperability features.
NTRN has a total supply of 1 billion tokens, with only 22% currently circulating. The upcoming token unlock will see 9.96 million NTRN tokens worth around $2.38 million enter the market. These tokens will be distributed among team members, investors, and advisors.
NTRN Unlock. Source: CryptorankNext week’s token unlock will also include Tribal Token (TRIBL), NEON, and Automata Network (ATA), among others. Overall, around $70 million worth of new tokens will be unlocked.
Jeff Garcia, the American actor and comedian best known for his work on Jimmy Neutron, has died at the age of 50.
Garcia's son, Jojo, confirmed his death on Wednesday. "My father was a unique soul. He was unapologetically himself, and I will always admire the love, compassion, and drive that he had," he wrote on Instagram.
The ContextGarcia had a long career across stand-up comedy, voice roles in animated films and series, and live-action roles.
He voiced the character of Sheen Estevez in the cartoon series Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and subsequent spin-off series, which include The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and Planet Sheen, a role which was beloved and embedded in popular culture.
He also voiced characters in Happy Feet, The Maw franchise, and Barnyard. He performed stand-up comedy throughout his life, up until November of this year.
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He has two children, a daughter, Savannah, and his son, Jojo, who has followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in comedy.
What To KnowGarcia’s health declined rapidly toward the end of his life.
In the spring of this year, he suffered a brain aneurysm, which he recovered from, but then he suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, his family told TMZ.
He was hospitalized with pneumonia in late November, which he recovered from and was discharged, but then returned to the hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing this week and suffered a collapsed lung.
He was then put on life support but was taken off of it on Tuesday night and died on Wednesday morning at a hospital in California, surrounded by his family and friends, as per TMZ.
Tributes for Garcia have flooded in on social media.
What People Are SayingJojo Garcia, in a post on Instagram: "He was my hero… I idolized him. He may be gone, but he will NEVER be forgotten. He lives on through our family and friends he loved so dearly, along with the legacy he has created. I know you’re in heaven smiling down and you’re in a better place now. No more pain. I’m going to make you proud pops. Fly high, Rocket Man."
Danny Trejo, an actor, responding to Jojo Garica’s Instagram post: "Sorry for your loss Rest In Peace Jeff."
Eric Schwartz, a comedian, responding to Jojo Garcia’s Instagram post: "Your dad was one of the first to believe in me and was instrumental in my development as a comedian early on. He generously gave me and many other comedians a lot of opportunities to shine. I’ll never forget all the good times. I wish you and your family all my love."
Bret Ernst, a comedian, responding to Jojo Garcia’s Instagram post: "Sending your family my love and prayers. Your dad was a friend and a real dude…may God Rest his soul."
What Happens Next?Garcia’s family has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss.
TLDRContract Win Doubles Company BacklogNeutron Launch Key to Future GrowthGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Rocket Lab shares surged 6% to an all-time high of $91.80 on Wednesday $816 million U.S. Space Development Agency contract doubles company backlog Cantor Fitzgerald calls Rocket Lab the leading SpaceX alternative Neutron rocket launch scheduled for first half of 2026 Stock has gained over 250% in the past year Rocket Lab stock climbed more than 6% during Wednesday’s session, hitting a record high of $91.80. The rally came as satellite stocks rose across the sector.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
The gains followed increased geopolitical tensions related to recent White House policy shifts. Fellow satellite companies Planet Labs and EchoStar posted similar 6% increases.
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard reaffirmed his Buy rating on the stock. He identified Rocket Lab as the premier commercial alternative to SpaceX in the launch market.
The company recently landed an $816 million contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency. This represents the largest deal in Rocket Lab’s history.
Contract Win Doubles Company Backlog The defense contract effectively doubled Rocket Lab’s total backlog. The company will design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile-warning, tracking, and defense operations in low Earth orbit.
This contract marks a major step in Rocket Lab’s evolution. The company continues expanding beyond launch services into comprehensive space infrastructure.
Rocket Lab completed 21 Electron launches in fiscal 2025, its highest annual total. The company has now successfully completed 79 missions, making it the third-most active launch provider worldwide and second in the U.S. behind SpaceX.
The company’s latest quarterly results showed revenue up 48% year-over-year. Rocket Lab posted an EPS of -$0.03, beating analyst expectations of -$0.05.
Neutron Launch Key to Future Growth Sheppard identified the upcoming Neutron launch as the most critical catalyst for the stock. The first flight is expected in the first half of 2026.
Neutron is a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle. Management plans to have the rocket on the launchpad in Q1 2026, with its maiden flight following soon after.
A successful Neutron launch could transform Rocket Lab’s economics. The vehicle would establish the company as the only viable commercial alternative to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Potential risks include Neutron delays, regulatory hurdles, and supply-chain issues. However, Sheppard expressed confidence in Rocket Lab’s proven execution track record.
The stock currently trades above analyst consensus targets. The average price target of $61.25 suggests over 20% downside from current levels, though several analysts have recently raised their targets.
Insider selling has been active over recent months. Corporate insiders sold approximately 4.2 million shares worth around $262 million in the past 90 days. CFO Adam Spice sold 1.365 million shares valued at roughly $103 million.
Rocket Lab stock has soared more than 250% over the past 12 months. The shares dipped 2% in after-hours trading following the record high.
PANews reported on March 3 that Neutron, a cross-chain smart contract platform, released a security update on its X platform, stating that a white-hat hacker reported a security vulnerability through its bug bounty program. No funds have been affected. Neutron has suspended deposit, withdrawal, and trading functions for its order book and Supervaults until March 9 when the vulnerability is fixed and the platform will be back online. All funds are safe, and users do not need to take any action.
Rubio: US and Iran to continue technical consultations at the end of this month
Multiple foreign media outlets reported on the 24th that US Secretary of State Rubio said technical teams from the United States and Iran will hold further talks in Switzerland by the end of June. (Xinhua News Agency)
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Over the past 24 hours, total crypto market liquidations hit $606 million, with more than 130,000 traders liquidated.
According to Coinglass data, the global cryptocurrency market recorded $606 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, including $542 million in long-position liquidations and $68.22 million in short-position liquidations. A total of 135,785 traders worldwide were liquidated in the same period, with the largest single liquidation order occurring on Binance’s BTCUSDT trading pair, valued at $12.0111 million.
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Bitcoin falls below $60,000
According to HTX market data, Bitcoin has fallen below $60,000, with a 4.3% drop in the past 24 hours.
5 hours ago
US Treasury Secretary: AI boom may boost productivity and help curb inflation.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent told CNBC in an interview that he hopes the Federal Reserve will remain "open-minded" about the inflation pattern after the reversal of Iran-related energy price hikes. Bessent noted that the U.S. could enter an economic environment marked by high GDP growth without a corresponding rise in traditional inflation. He cited that in the 1990s, Alan Greenspan foresaw that office modernization and the internet could drive non-inflationary growth, and allowed the economy to keep expanding. Bessent believes the U.S. has a strong chance of seeing a similar scenario again. When asked whether the Fed still needs to worry about potential inflation and whether interest rate cuts are possible this year or next, Bessent declined to comment. However, he argued that it is necessary to stay open-minded about the price or inflation impacts from the Iran conflict, and monitor inflation performance after those effects subside. Bessent also said an open mind is needed, as the AI boom could boost productivity and deliver disinflationary effects, helping inflation return to the Fed’s target level. He added that he believes Kevin Warsh will choose the optimal path that meets both the Fed’s inflation and growth mandates. Bessent also noted that Warsh previously took a hawkish stance on inflation.
5 hours ago
US stocks' intraday storage sector sees broad declines, with Western Digital and Seagate Technology both falling over 4%.
According to Bitget data, during U.S. stock trading hours, the storage sector saw broad declines: Western Digital (WDC) fell 4.47%, Seagate Technology (STX) dropped 4.17%, SanDisk (SNDK) declined 2.31%, and Micron Technology (MU) edged down 0.96%. Most optical communication concept stocks rose, with Corning (GLW) leading the gains at 9.75%, followed by Ciena (CIEN) up 3.24%, Coherent (COHR) rising 2.93%, Lumentum (LITE) gaining 2.61%, and Nokia (NOK) advancing 1.82%. Additionally, Marvell Technology (MRVL) fell 2.59% and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) declined 1.90%.
5 hours ago
During intraday trading in U.S. stocks, crypto-related concept stocks fell broadly, with MSTR dropping more than 7%.
According to Bitget market data, the three major U.S. stock indexes rose broadly: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.94%, the S&P 500 increased 0.60%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.63%. Crypto-related stocks fell across the board, with declines as follows: Strategy (MSTR) down 7.33%; Circle (CRCL) down 4.35%; Bitmine (BMNR) down 3.97%; Coinbase (COIN) down 3.73%; Robinhood (HOOD) down 3.70%; Gemini (GEMI) down 3.27%; Bullish (BLSH) down 3.25%; Sharplink (SBET) down 3.19%.
PANews reported on March 17th that Neutron, a Cosmos ecosystem project, announced its transition to a long-term maintenance mode. Due to unfavorable market conditions over the past few months rendering its original strategy ineffective, and after failing to find alternative paths such as new product development, blockchain mergers and acquisitions, and a new leadership, Neutron has decided to prioritize the interests of users and builders by transitioning the network to a long-term maintenance state. DEX and Supervault will be suspended and enter a withdrawal-only mode no later than April 17th. dNTRN holders can redeem their NTRN through the Drop website or the Neutron application starting March 23rd. wstETH holders must bridge back to Ethereum by June 30th. The redemption mechanism for NTRN holders will be announced separately. Hadron Labs will be responsible for network maintenance until June 30th, 2026, after which a manual withdrawal guide will be released. Governance will transition from a custom system to the standard Cosmos staking model, inflation will be dynamically adjusted, and the validator set will be reduced.
The key timeline is as follows:
March 16: Supervault deposits have been disabled, and the BTCFi event has ended; March 23: dNTRN redemption opens (via Drop website or Neutron app). March 27: Deadline for price inquiry regarding the right to maintain rights; April: Proposed NTRN redemption mechanism (details pending); DEX and Supervault suspended operations and entered withdrawal-only mode. April 30: Fireblocks ended support for Neutron; Early May: Network upgrade, introducing new governance, staking, and token economic models; June 30: Hadron Labs maintenance is complete; the withdrawal portal is no longer supported; a manual withdrawal guide has been released. July to September: DAO commissions were gradually withdrawn and destroyed.
Rubio: US and Iran to continue technical consultations at the end of this month
Multiple foreign media outlets reported on the 24th that US Secretary of State Rubio said technical teams from the United States and Iran will hold further talks in Switzerland by the end of June. (Xinhua News Agency)
5 hours ago
Over the past 24 hours, total crypto market liquidations hit $606 million, with more than 130,000 traders liquidated.
According to Coinglass data, the global cryptocurrency market recorded $606 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, including $542 million in long-position liquidations and $68.22 million in short-position liquidations. A total of 135,785 traders worldwide were liquidated in the same period, with the largest single liquidation order occurring on Binance’s BTCUSDT trading pair, valued at $12.0111 million.
5 hours ago
Bitcoin falls below $60,000
According to HTX market data, Bitcoin has fallen below $60,000, with a 4.3% drop in the past 24 hours.
5 hours ago
US Treasury Secretary: AI boom may boost productivity and help curb inflation.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent told CNBC in an interview that he hopes the Federal Reserve will remain "open-minded" about the inflation pattern after the reversal of Iran-related energy price hikes. Bessent noted that the U.S. could enter an economic environment marked by high GDP growth without a corresponding rise in traditional inflation. He cited that in the 1990s, Alan Greenspan foresaw that office modernization and the internet could drive non-inflationary growth, and allowed the economy to keep expanding. Bessent believes the U.S. has a strong chance of seeing a similar scenario again. When asked whether the Fed still needs to worry about potential inflation and whether interest rate cuts are possible this year or next, Bessent declined to comment. However, he argued that it is necessary to stay open-minded about the price or inflation impacts from the Iran conflict, and monitor inflation performance after those effects subside. Bessent also said an open mind is needed, as the AI boom could boost productivity and deliver disinflationary effects, helping inflation return to the Fed’s target level. He added that he believes Kevin Warsh will choose the optimal path that meets both the Fed’s inflation and growth mandates. Bessent also noted that Warsh previously took a hawkish stance on inflation.
5 hours ago
US stocks' intraday storage sector sees broad declines, with Western Digital and Seagate Technology both falling over 4%.
According to Bitget data, during U.S. stock trading hours, the storage sector saw broad declines: Western Digital (WDC) fell 4.47%, Seagate Technology (STX) dropped 4.17%, SanDisk (SNDK) declined 2.31%, and Micron Technology (MU) edged down 0.96%. Most optical communication concept stocks rose, with Corning (GLW) leading the gains at 9.75%, followed by Ciena (CIEN) up 3.24%, Coherent (COHR) rising 2.93%, Lumentum (LITE) gaining 2.61%, and Nokia (NOK) advancing 1.82%. Additionally, Marvell Technology (MRVL) fell 2.59% and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) declined 1.90%.
5 hours ago
During intraday trading in U.S. stocks, crypto-related concept stocks fell broadly, with MSTR dropping more than 7%.
According to Bitget market data, the three major U.S. stock indexes rose broadly: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.94%, the S&P 500 increased 0.60%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.63%. Crypto-related stocks fell across the board, with declines as follows: Strategy (MSTR) down 7.33%; Circle (CRCL) down 4.35%; Bitmine (BMNR) down 3.97%; Coinbase (COIN) down 3.73%; Robinhood (HOOD) down 3.70%; Gemini (GEMI) down 3.27%; Bullish (BLSH) down 3.25%; Sharplink (SBET) down 3.19%.
Rubio: US and Iran to continue technical consultations at the end of this month
Multiple foreign media outlets reported on the 24th that US Secretary of State Rubio said technical teams from the United States and Iran will hold further talks in Switzerland by the end of June. (Xinhua News Agency)
5 hours ago
Over the past 24 hours, total crypto market liquidations hit $606 million, with more than 130,000 traders liquidated.
According to Coinglass data, the global cryptocurrency market recorded $606 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, including $542 million in long-position liquidations and $68.22 million in short-position liquidations. A total of 135,785 traders worldwide were liquidated in the same period, with the largest single liquidation order occurring on Binance’s BTCUSDT trading pair, valued at $12.0111 million.
5 hours ago
Bitcoin falls below $60,000
According to HTX market data, Bitcoin has fallen below $60,000, with a 4.3% drop in the past 24 hours.
5 hours ago
US Treasury Secretary: AI boom may boost productivity and help curb inflation.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent told CNBC in an interview that he hopes the Federal Reserve will remain "open-minded" about the inflation pattern after the reversal of Iran-related energy price hikes. Bessent noted that the U.S. could enter an economic environment marked by high GDP growth without a corresponding rise in traditional inflation. He cited that in the 1990s, Alan Greenspan foresaw that office modernization and the internet could drive non-inflationary growth, and allowed the economy to keep expanding. Bessent believes the U.S. has a strong chance of seeing a similar scenario again. When asked whether the Fed still needs to worry about potential inflation and whether interest rate cuts are possible this year or next, Bessent declined to comment. However, he argued that it is necessary to stay open-minded about the price or inflation impacts from the Iran conflict, and monitor inflation performance after those effects subside. Bessent also said an open mind is needed, as the AI boom could boost productivity and deliver disinflationary effects, helping inflation return to the Fed’s target level. He added that he believes Kevin Warsh will choose the optimal path that meets both the Fed’s inflation and growth mandates. Bessent also noted that Warsh previously took a hawkish stance on inflation.
5 hours ago
US stocks' intraday storage sector sees broad declines, with Western Digital and Seagate Technology both falling over 4%.
According to Bitget data, during U.S. stock trading hours, the storage sector saw broad declines: Western Digital (WDC) fell 4.47%, Seagate Technology (STX) dropped 4.17%, SanDisk (SNDK) declined 2.31%, and Micron Technology (MU) edged down 0.96%. Most optical communication concept stocks rose, with Corning (GLW) leading the gains at 9.75%, followed by Ciena (CIEN) up 3.24%, Coherent (COHR) rising 2.93%, Lumentum (LITE) gaining 2.61%, and Nokia (NOK) advancing 1.82%. Additionally, Marvell Technology (MRVL) fell 2.59% and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) declined 1.90%.
5 hours ago
During intraday trading in U.S. stocks, crypto-related concept stocks fell broadly, with MSTR dropping more than 7%.
According to Bitget market data, the three major U.S. stock indexes rose broadly: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.94%, the S&P 500 increased 0.60%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.63%. Crypto-related stocks fell across the board, with declines as follows: Strategy (MSTR) down 7.33%; Circle (CRCL) down 4.35%; Bitmine (BMNR) down 3.97%; Coinbase (COIN) down 3.73%; Robinhood (HOOD) down 3.70%; Gemini (GEMI) down 3.27%; Bullish (BLSH) down 3.25%; Sharplink (SBET) down 3.19%.
Binance has announced the delisting of eight tokens from its spot trading platform, effective April 1, 2026. The tokens, Arena-Z (A2Z), Ampleforth Governance Token (FORTH), Hooked Protocol (HOOK), IDEX (IDEX), Loopring (LRC), Neutron (NTRN), Radiant Capital (RDNT), and Solar (SXP), failed to meet the exchange’s updated listing standards following a periodic review.
The announcement, published on March 18, sent immediate shockwaves through the affected tokens’ markets. A Binance delisting is one of the most severe liquidity events a token can face, removing access to the world’s largest crypto exchange by volume in a single stroke.
The delisting news arrived on an already difficult day for crypto markets. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that rate cuts won’t come unless there is clear progress on inflation. Bitcoin fell sharply following Powell’s remarks, with the market now watching closely for BTC’s next move.
The Criteria Behind the Cuts Binance conducts regular reviews of listed assets across a range of factors, including development activity, trading volume, network security, community engagement, team commitment, and evidence of unethical conduct. The exchange also considers changes to tokenomics, ownership structure, and responsiveness to due diligence requests.
The eight tokens delisted span a wide range of projects, from DeFi infrastructure plays like Loopring and Radiant Capital to newer ecosystem tokens like Neutron, a Cosmos-based smart contract platform.
None have been given specific reasons for their removal, consistent with Binance’s standard practice of citing cumulative review criteria rather than individual project failures.
Token Prices Crash After Announcement The market reaction was swift and brutal for several of the affected tokens.
For instance, HOOK, the token behind Hooked Protocol, fell 13.5% to $0.01466, with a 24-hour range of $0.01392 to $0.01707. The price chart shows a sharp cliff immediately after the announcement, followed by a prolonged period of depressed trading.
Despite the drop, HOOK’s 24-hour trading volume of $14.7 million significantly exceeds its market cap of $4.22 million, suggesting active panic selling rather than illiquidity.
HOOK price performance. Source: CoinGecko FORTH, the governance token for the Ampleforth protocol, also took a big hit. It dropped 14.6% in 24 hours, sliding from a high of $0.7208 to a current price of $0.6137.
Market cap now sits at just $7.06 million, a figure that helps explain why it no longer meets Binance’s liquidity thresholds.
FORTH price performance. Source: CoinGecko NTRN, the native token of Neutron, declined 5.4% to $0.00573, with a 24-hour range of $0.005407 to $0.006148. Its chart tells a slightly different story, an initial sharp drop followed by a volatile bounce toward $0.006 in later trading, before settling back lower.
The partial recovery may reflect community buying or short covering.
A Binance delisting does not necessarily mean a project is dead. Tokens often migrate trading activity to decentralised exchanges or smaller centralised platforms after removal.
But the liquidity loss is significant and rarely fully recovered.
Binance Under the Spotlight The delisting announcement comes as Binance navigates a separate regulatory moment. Binance issued a formal response to a U.S. Senate inquiry examining potential Iran sanctions exposure, addressing a February 24 letter from Senator Richard Blumenthal.
The exchange rejected the claims, defended its sanctions programme, and detailed investigations involving two flagged entities.
On the other side of the ledger, Binance has been reinforcing its institutional standing. Its SAFU fund has hit a milestone following a purchase of 4,500 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 15,000 BTC and overtaking Coinbase.
Key HighlightsMajor Defense Contract Strengthens PositionNeutron Rocket Remains Key CatalystGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Rocket Lab successfully executed its inaugural dedicated mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) on March 28. The “Daughter Of The Stars” mission placed ESA’s “Celeste” payload into low Earth orbit at a 510 km altitude. This marked the company’s sixth orbital mission of 2026 and the 85th successful Electron rocket deployment to date. The aerospace firm secured a record-breaking $190 million contract with the U.S. Department of War for 20 hypersonic test missions, elevating its total backlog beyond $2 billion. Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on RKLB shares with a consensus price target of $89.36, suggesting approximately 47% potential upside. Rocket Lab achieved a significant milestone on Friday evening by executing its inaugural dedicated mission for the European Space Agency, successfully deploying navigation test satellites from its New Zealand facility. The Electron launch vehicle departed from Launch Complex 1 at 10:14 p.m. New Zealand Time on March 28, transporting ESA’s “Celeste” payload to a 510-kilometer altitude in low Earth orbit.
Electron delivers 'The Daughter Of The Stars' to orbit for the European Space Agency @esa.
✅ 85th Electron launch and 6th mission of the year.
✅ 2nd launch in 5 days from Launch Complex 1.
✅ Another flawless launch with 100% mission success by Electron. pic.twitter.com/B5fl7yvcNW
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) March 29, 2026
Dubbed “Daughter Of The Stars,” this mission represents the company’s sixth orbital deployment in 2026 and brings the total Electron vehicle mission count to 85.
The pair of satellites will evaluate whether a constellation operating in low Earth orbit can effectively complement Europe’s Galileo navigation infrastructure, which functions in medium Earth orbit. The objective is enhancing positioning precision throughout Europe for applications spanning autonomous transportation, maritime operations, and emergency response systems.
Two European industry partnerships constructed the spacecraft — one spearheaded by GMV based in Spain, and another led by Thales Alenia Space headquartered in France.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
RKLB stock advanced approximately 2% during Monday’s premarket session following the mission announcement.
Shares have declined 13% since the start of the year, affected by widespread risk-averse market behavior and escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. Despite this, the stock has surged 231% over the trailing twelve-month period.
Major Defense Contract Strengthens Position Beyond the ESA achievement, Rocket Lab recently won a substantial $190 million agreement with the U.S. Department of War to conduct 20 hypersonic test missions utilizing its HASTE launch platform. This represents the largest individual contract in the company’s history.
This agreement propelled Rocket Lab’s cumulative backlog beyond the $2 billion threshold.
Throughout the remainder of 2026, the company has scheduled missions encompassing commercial Earth observation operations, national security deployments, international space agency partnerships, and hypersonic technology advancement initiatives.
Neutron Rocket Remains Key Catalyst This operational momentum builds toward the highly anticipated inaugural launch of Rocket Lab’s larger Neutron rocket, presently scheduled for late 2026.
Neutron is engineered to compete in the medium-lift segment, focusing on reusable launch capabilities for larger commercial and governmental payloads.
Analysts assign a Moderate Buy consensus rating to RKLB, comprising nine Buy recommendations and four Hold ratings. The mean price target stands at $89.36 — representing approximately 47% upside potential from present trading levels.
Rubio: US and Iran to continue technical consultations at the end of this month
Multiple foreign media outlets reported on the 24th that US Secretary of State Rubio said technical teams from the United States and Iran will hold further talks in Switzerland by the end of June. (Xinhua News Agency)
5 hours ago
Over the past 24 hours, total crypto market liquidations hit $606 million, with more than 130,000 traders liquidated.
According to Coinglass data, the global cryptocurrency market recorded $606 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, including $542 million in long-position liquidations and $68.22 million in short-position liquidations. A total of 135,785 traders worldwide were liquidated in the same period, with the largest single liquidation order occurring on Binance’s BTCUSDT trading pair, valued at $12.0111 million.
5 hours ago
Bitcoin falls below $60,000
According to HTX market data, Bitcoin has fallen below $60,000, with a 4.3% drop in the past 24 hours.
5 hours ago
US Treasury Secretary: AI boom may boost productivity and help curb inflation.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent told CNBC in an interview that he hopes the Federal Reserve will remain "open-minded" about the inflation pattern after the reversal of Iran-related energy price hikes. Bessent noted that the U.S. could enter an economic environment marked by high GDP growth without a corresponding rise in traditional inflation. He cited that in the 1990s, Alan Greenspan foresaw that office modernization and the internet could drive non-inflationary growth, and allowed the economy to keep expanding. Bessent believes the U.S. has a strong chance of seeing a similar scenario again. When asked whether the Fed still needs to worry about potential inflation and whether interest rate cuts are possible this year or next, Bessent declined to comment. However, he argued that it is necessary to stay open-minded about the price or inflation impacts from the Iran conflict, and monitor inflation performance after those effects subside. Bessent also said an open mind is needed, as the AI boom could boost productivity and deliver disinflationary effects, helping inflation return to the Fed’s target level. He added that he believes Kevin Warsh will choose the optimal path that meets both the Fed’s inflation and growth mandates. Bessent also noted that Warsh previously took a hawkish stance on inflation.
5 hours ago
US stocks' intraday storage sector sees broad declines, with Western Digital and Seagate Technology both falling over 4%.
According to Bitget data, during U.S. stock trading hours, the storage sector saw broad declines: Western Digital (WDC) fell 4.47%, Seagate Technology (STX) dropped 4.17%, SanDisk (SNDK) declined 2.31%, and Micron Technology (MU) edged down 0.96%. Most optical communication concept stocks rose, with Corning (GLW) leading the gains at 9.75%, followed by Ciena (CIEN) up 3.24%, Coherent (COHR) rising 2.93%, Lumentum (LITE) gaining 2.61%, and Nokia (NOK) advancing 1.82%. Additionally, Marvell Technology (MRVL) fell 2.59% and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI) declined 1.90%.
5 hours ago
During intraday trading in U.S. stocks, crypto-related concept stocks fell broadly, with MSTR dropping more than 7%.
According to Bitget market data, the three major U.S. stock indexes rose broadly: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.94%, the S&P 500 increased 0.60%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.63%. Crypto-related stocks fell across the board, with declines as follows: Strategy (MSTR) down 7.33%; Circle (CRCL) down 4.35%; Bitmine (BMNR) down 3.97%; Coinbase (COIN) down 3.73%; Robinhood (HOOD) down 3.70%; Gemini (GEMI) down 3.27%; Bullish (BLSH) down 3.25%; Sharplink (SBET) down 3.19%.
Key TakeawaysNeutron Takes Center StageWall Street’s PerspectiveGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Rocket Lab has secured a new multi-launch agreement with iQPS for three additional Electron rocket missions, with launches beginning in 2028. The partnership now totals 15 missions, with seven launches already successfully completed since 2023. iQPS has placed its second multi-launch order with Rocket Lab within a six-month period. Wall Street analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on RKLB, with a consensus price target of $86.77 — representing approximately 30% potential upside. The upcoming Neutron rocket launch, anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027, is viewed as a significant growth catalyst for the company. Rocket Lab has secured yet another contract with a loyal customer, and industry analysts are closely monitoring whether the aerospace company can translate this growth trajectory into improved profitability.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
The aerospace manufacturer revealed a fresh multi-launch contract with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) covering three more Electron rocket flights. These missions are slated to commence no earlier than 2028, launching from Launch Complex 1 located in New Zealand.
This agreement elevates the total number of missions between the two partners to 15. Of these, seven missions have already been successfully executed since 2023.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that iQPS has now placed two separate multi-launch contracts with Rocket Lab within just half a year. This pattern of recurring business demonstrates strong operational dependability and customer satisfaction.
The upcoming missions will carry QPS-SAR satellites into orbit utilizing Rocket Lab’s Motorized Lightband separation technology. Each mission will be entirely dedicated to iQPS payloads, ensuring focused delivery.
Brian Rogers, Vice President of Global Launch Services at Rocket Lab, emphasized that the partnership’s strength stems from the company’s proven track record on previous missions. The upcoming iQPS launch is scheduled for no earlier than May 2026.
In related financial developments, Rocket Lab recently concluded its at-the-market equity offering, securing approximately $474 million in gross proceeds. The company also maintains collared forward transaction agreements with potential maximum proceeds reaching $642 million.
Regarding corporate expansion, Rocket Lab obtained German regulatory clearance for its anticipated acquisition of Mynaric. The transaction is projected to finalize in April with a valuation of roughly $75 million.
Neutron Takes Center Stage The company generated $601.8 million in revenue over the trailing twelve months, marking a 38% year-over-year increase. However, market analysts emphasize that the real narrative revolves around what’s on the horizon — the Neutron rocket.
This 43-meter partially reusable launch vehicle is engineered to rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the satellite and cargo deployment market. Critical components, including the distinctive “Hungry Hippo” fairing and thrust structure, have been completed and are prepared for final integration.
Clear Street analyst Gregory Pendy noted that Neutron could access a substantially larger market segment and produce higher revenue per launch compared to Electron — positioning it as a primary growth engine if development timelines are maintained.
Wall Street’s Perspective Citizens analyst Trevor J. Walsh elevated RKLB from Hold to Buy this week, maintaining his $85 price target. Walsh described the current valuation as an appealing entry opportunity and emphasized Rocket Lab’s strategic expansion into defense and space services as a route to enhanced profit margins.
Sujeeva De Silva from Roth MKM sustained a Buy rating with a $90 price objective. De Silva drew attention to Rocket Lab’s expanding contract backlog and its diversification into satellite components as proof that the company is effectively broadening its business model beyond launch services.
Overall, RKLB carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating on TipRanks — comprising 10 Buy ratings and 5 Hold ratings issued over the past three months. The consensus price target stands at $86.77, suggesting approximately 30% upside potential from current trading levels.
RKLB shares declined 3.39% on the day the announcement was made.
Key Takeaways Rocket Lab announces Q1 2026 financial results after trading ends on May 7 Options market implies a 13.88% price swing for RKLB stock post-earnings Analysts forecast revenue around $190.9 million, representing 50%+ annual growth Expected loss per share of $0.04–$0.07, narrowing from -$0.12 year-over-year Analyst consensus price target ranges from $83.31–$89.00 with “Moderate Buy” rating Rocket Lab is scheduled to release its Q1 2026 financial results following market close on Thursday, May 7, at 5:00 PM ET. Trading near $77 per share, RKLB stock commands a market capitalization of approximately $43.9 billion.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
The options market is forecasting a 13.88% price movement in either direction after the announcement. This projected volatility significantly exceeds Rocket Lab’s four-quarter average post-earnings move of 4.65%.
Analyst consensus points to quarterly revenue near $190.99 million, marking more than 50% growth compared to the same period last year. Earnings per share are projected to show a loss between $0.04 and $0.07, representing meaningful improvement from the $0.12-per-share loss recorded in Q1 2025.
Beyond the financial metrics, investor attention will center heavily on developments surrounding the Neutron rocket initiative.
Neutron represents a 43-meter partially reusable launch vehicle engineered for satellite deployment and cargo transport missions. The rocket is targeted for its maiden flight in late 2026 or early 2027. If Neutron achieves operational success, Rocket Lab could emerge as a viable competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 platform.
Profitability Metrics and Contract Pipeline Under Scrutiny Profitability indicators will receive intense scrutiny. Rocket Lab’s GAAP gross margin reached 34.4% in 2025, though sustained margin expansion remains essential for achieving overall profitability.
The company concluded Q4 2025 with an all-time high backlog valued at $1.85 billion. Market participants will be looking for evidence that this contract pipeline is translating into accelerating revenue performance.
Management Stock Sales and Institutional Investment Trends Regarding insider transactions, CEO Peter Beck divested 18,857 shares on March 2 at a price of $69.59 per share. On the identical date, CFO Adam Spice sold 62,744 shares valued at approximately $4.37 million.
Cumulatively, company insiders have offloaded $16.49 million in stock during the previous 90 days. Corporate insiders currently maintain an 8.40% ownership stake in the company.
Institutional investors have demonstrated contrasting behavior. Alliancebernstein expanded its holdings by 818.8% during Q3. Amundi increased its position by 308.4% in the corresponding timeframe.
State Street, Deutsche Bank, and Renaissance Technologies have similarly augmented their stakes. Institutional ownership now represents 71.78% of RKLB stock.
On the analyst front, Needham reduced its price objective from $110 to $95 while maintaining a Buy recommendation. Wells Fargo launched coverage with an Equal Weight stance and a $60 price target. Roth MKM elevated its target from $90 to $100 with a Buy rating.
Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an Overweight rating with an $85 price objective. The mean price target among analysts stands at $83.31, spanning a range from approximately $60 to $100.
RKLB maintains a consensus “Moderate Buy” recommendation from 17 analysts — comprising two Strong Buys, nine Buys, five Holds, and one Sell.
The stock has fluctuated between $20.23 and $99.58 over the trailing 12-month period. Its 50-day moving average currently stands at $72.14, while the 200-day moving average is positioned at $68.10.
Key Takeaways Rocket Lab is scheduled to announce Q1 2026 financial results after the closing bell on May 7, with consensus estimates calling for approximately $190 million in revenue—a year-over-year increase exceeding 50%. Shares of RKLB climbed 7.5% during Wednesday’s trading session and have gained more than 25% throughout the past month leading into the earnings announcement. Implied volatility from options markets suggests a potential 13.59% price movement in either direction—substantially higher than the stock’s typical 4.65% post-earnings reaction. Market participants are particularly interested in management commentary regarding the Neutron rocket initiative, which is projected to achieve its inaugural launch during late 2026 or early 2027. The company maintains an impressive $1.85 billion order backlog, though its valuation sits at a premium 46x forward price-to-sales ratio compared to the sector’s 11.64x average. Rocket Lab (RKLB) is scheduled to unveil its Q1 2026 financial performance following today’s market close on May 7. The stock currently trades at $84.65, reflecting a 7.5% gain from Wednesday’s close—marking an impressive 25% climb over the trailing month.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
Analyst consensus points to an anticipated loss of $0.07 per share for the quarter, demonstrating substantial improvement compared to the $0.12 per share deficit reported during Q1 2025. Revenue projections cluster around $189–$191 million, indicating year-over-year expansion surpassing 50%.
While profitability remains elusive, the company’s accelerating growth momentum continues to attract investor attention.
The options market is pricing in a significant 13.59% potential move following the earnings release. This expectation dramatically exceeds the stock’s historical average post-announcement movement of merely 4.65%, signaling that traders view this report as particularly consequential.
Rocket Lab has successfully exceeded earnings expectations in only one of its last four quarterly reports, falling short in the remaining three—producing an average earnings surprise of 4.29%.
Neutron Rocket Development Takes Center Stage Beyond standard financial metrics, investor attention is firmly fixed on the Neutron rocket program. This 43-meter partially reusable launch vehicle is engineered for satellite deployment and cargo transport missions.
Successful deployment in late 2026 or early 2027 would position Rocket Lab as a legitimate challenger to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 platform—a market segment offering substantially enhanced profit margins.
Management’s commentary regarding Neutron’s development progress and launch schedule will be scrutinized carefully by market participants.
The Q1 financial results may also showcase the initial impact of two strategic acquisitions—Optical Support, Inc. (OSI) and Precision Components Limited (PCL). Both transactions are anticipated to have enhanced the company’s defense contracting and satellite production operations.
Order Backlog and Profitability Metrics Under Scrutiny Rocket Lab concluded Q4 2025 with an unprecedented $1.85 billion order backlog. Management projects approximately 37% of this pipeline will translate into revenue within the coming year—though supply chain dependencies introduce uncertainty that could postpone revenue recognition.
GAAP gross margin registered at 34.4% throughout 2025. Shareholders will be monitoring whether this metric demonstrates improvement, particularly as substantial research and development expenditures alongside Neutron program investments continue exerting pressure on profitability.
The company commands a substantial valuation premium at 46x forward price-to-sales, dramatically exceeding the industry benchmark of 11.64x.
This elevated multiple leaves minimal margin for disappointment. Additionally, trailing twelve-month return on invested capital (ROIC) remains in negative territory—indicating that current capital deployments have yet to generate adequate returns.
According to TipRanks analysis, RKLB maintains a Moderate Buy consensus rating supported by 9 Buy recommendations and 4 Hold ratings issued over the previous three months. The mean analyst price target stands at $89.00, suggesting approximately 5.14% potential upside from present trading levels.
Quick Overview Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares surged 5.1% on Monday, reaching an intraday peak of $138.38 with trading volume 36% higher than usual. First-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue reached $200.35M, marking a 63.4% increase year-over-year and surpassing analyst projections of $189.65M. Deutsche Bank increased its price target from $73 to $120; Craig Hallum upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold. Cantor Fitzgerald’s Andres Sheppard identified the forthcoming Neutron rocket launch as a “major catalyst” for the stock. Wall Street consensus stands at Moderate Buy, with 11 Buy ratings and 4 Hold ratings; the mean price target is $100.17. Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB) advanced 5.1% during Monday’s trading session, peaking at $138.38 intraday before closing at $131.16. The session saw 32.1 million shares change hands, representing a 36% increase over typical trading volumes.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB
The upward momentum came after the company posted impressive first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on May 7. Revenue totaled $200.35 million, comfortably exceeding the Street’s $189.65 million expectation and representing a 63.4% jump compared to the prior-year period.
Earnings per share registered at ($0.07), matching consensus forecasts. The company continues to operate with a negative net margin of -26.87% and a return on equity of -11.72%.
Rocket Lab closed the quarter with a contract backlog valued at $2.2 billion and confirmed access to over $2 billion in available liquidity.
Rocket Lab characterized the quarter as delivering record-breaking financial results, highlighting multiple significant contract wins and the successful completion of strategic acquisitions.
Wall Street Boosts Price Forecasts Deutsche Bank significantly raised its RKLB price target on May 12, moving it from $73 to $120 while reaffirming its Buy rating. The investment bank noted that demand across Rocket Lab’s portfolio of services continues to accelerate.
Clear Street similarly increased its target, adjusting from $88 to $98 and maintaining its Buy recommendation. The firm highlighted the company’s record-setting Q1 revenue that exceeded projections by 5%, driven by robust performance in both launch operations and space systems divisions.
On May 8, Craig Hallum shifted its stance from Hold to Buy, establishing a $98 price objective. Citigroup confirmed its Outperform rating on the same date.
Andres Sheppard of Cantor Fitzgerald, recognized as a 5-star analyst, maintained his Overweight rating with a $96 target following the quarterly results. He suggested that a “major catalyst” may still lie ahead for investors.
Neutron Rocket Represents Key Milestone Sheppard highlighted Rocket Lab’s forthcoming Neutron rocket as a critical element for future expansion. Company leadership reaffirmed that the Neutron program is progressing according to schedule for its inaugural launch later in the year.
With 87 successful launches already completed, Rocket Lab holds a competitive advantage over emerging rivals still working to validate their technology, according to Sheppard’s analysis.
Cantor Fitzgerald projects Rocket Lab will execute 27 launches during fiscal 2026, spanning both its Electron and Haste rocket platforms.
The aerospace company maintains launch facilities in New Zealand and the United States. Its three-pronged rocket portfolio — Electron, Haste, and Neutron — addresses distinct niches within the commercial space sector.
Institutional ownership accounts for 71.78% of outstanding RKLB shares. Vanguard expanded its holdings by 13.4% in the fourth quarter, while Baillie Gifford boosted its position by 47.2%.
Company insiders have divested 333,449 shares valued at approximately $28.3 million during the past 90 days.
The Street’s overall stance is Moderate Buy, derived from 11 Buy recommendations, 4 Hold ratings, and zero Sell opinions issued over the last three months. The consensus price target of $100.17 suggests potential downside from current trading levels following the stock’s recent sharp advance.
RKLB currently trades well above its 50-day moving average of $78.81 and its 200-day moving average of $70.85, indicating the stock has experienced substantial momentum.
