Rocket Lab (XSWX:RKLB) Research & Development: CHF248.3 Mil (TTM As of Jun. 2026)

Author: Vera Yuan Vera Yuan
Vera Yuan
Vera Yuan
Director of Data and Quant Analytics at GuruFocus
Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Reviewed by: Charlie Tian Charlie Tian
Charlie Tian
Charlie Tian
Founder & CEO of GuruFocus
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.

XSWX:RKLB Rocket Lab Corp XSWX:RKLB
46 GF Score
Price CHF63.77
GF Value CHF29.90
Valuation Significantly Overvalued
! 2 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Rocket Lab Research & Development?

Rocket Lab XSWX:RKLB 46 Research & Development is CHF248.3 Mil as of Jun. 2026. GuruFocus rates XSWX:RKLB with a GF Score™ of 46/100 and a GF Value™ of CHF29.90 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 2 warning signs investors should review.

Research & Development is the aggregate amount of research and development expenses during the year. Rocket Lab's Research & Development for the three months ended in Jun. 2026 was CHF65.9 Mil. Its Research & Development for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Jun. 2026 was CHF248.3 Mil.


Rocket Lab  (XSWX:RKLB) Research & Development Explanation

If competitive advantage is created by a patent or tech advantage, at some point it will disappear.

High R&D usually dictates high SG&A which threatens the competitive advantage.


Rocket Lab Research & Development Related Terms


Rocket Lab Research & Development Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Rocket Lab's Research & Development can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Rocket Lab Research & Development Chart

Rocket Lab Annual Data
Trend Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Research & Development
Get a 7-Day Free Trial 38.47 60.71 102.96 155.49 215.73

Rocket Lab Quarterly Data
Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26 Jun26
Research & Development Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 53.78 56.28 62.78 63.39 65.89
XSWX:RKLB
46GF Score
Rocket Lab Corp XSWX:RKLB
Research & Development is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Rocket Lab Research & Development Calculation

This is the expense the company spent on research and development.

Research & Development for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended in Jun. 2026 adds up the quarterly data reported by the company within the most recent 12 months, which was CHF248.3 Mil.

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Research & Development →
What does a Research & Development of CHF248.3 Mil mean?
Rocket Lab (XSWX:RKLB) has a Research & Development of CHF248.3 Mil as of Jun. 2026. Research and development expense is the total cost for research and development activities. View historical data on Rocket Lab and its competitors.
Is Rocket Lab's Research & Development too high?
Rocket Lab's current Research & Development is CHF248.3 Mil. Overall, Rocket Lab has a GF Score™ of 46/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Rocket Lab's Research & Development compare to AXON and HEI.A?
Rocket Lab's Research & Development of CHF248.3 Mil can be compared against companies in the Aerospace & Defense industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Research & Development for an Aerospace & Defense company?
A good Research & Development depends on the Aerospace & Defense industry context. However, Research & Development should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Research & Development mean?
A high Research & Development can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Research and development expense is the total cost for research and development activities. View historical data on Rocket Lab and its competitors. Rocket Lab's current Research & Development is CHF248.3 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Rocket Lab stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Rocket Lab (XSWX:RKLB) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is CHF29.90, compared to a current price of CHF63.77 — trading 113.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Research & Development is CHF248.3 Mil. Rocket Lab's overall GF Score™ is 46/100 with 2 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Research & Development calculated?
Research & Development is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Rocket Lab (XSWX:RKLB), the current Research & Development is CHF248.3 Mil as of Jun. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Rocket Lab (XSWX:RKLB) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Rocket Lab stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of CHF63.77 is trading 113.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of CHF29.90. GuruFocus considers Rocket Lab to be Significantly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for XSWX:RKLB:

  • Research & Development: CHF248.3 Mil
  • GF Value™: CHF29.90 vs. price of CHF63.77 (113.3% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 46/100 with 2 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the XSWX:RKLB stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Rocket Lab Business Description

Address 3881 McGowen Street, Long Beach, CA, USA, 90808
Rocket Lab Corp is engaged in space, building rockets, and spacecraft. It provides end-to-end mission services that provide frequent and reliable access to space for civil, defense, and commercial markets. It designs and manufactures the Electron and Neutron launch vehicles and Photon satellite platform. Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle has delivered multiple satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. The business operates in two segments Launch Services and Space Systems. Geographically it serves Japan, and rest of the world and earns key revenue from the United States.
46GF Score

Get the complete analysis for XSWX:RKLB

Research & Development is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

CHF63.77
Price
CHF29.90
GF Value