Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) vs Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)

CW leads on 7 of 8 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnCW vs RKLB

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 6y
CW +527.6%RKLB +555.9%RKLB compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100202120222023202420252026$628$656
CW RKLB

CW vs RKLB: by the numbers

  • RKLB is the larger company ($37.00B vs $27.71B market cap).
  • CW is profitable (14.17% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
  • RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • CW pays a dividend (0.13% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CW or RKLB?

Metric tally: CW 7 · RKLB 1

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCWRKLB
P/E ratio54.92
Forward P/E49.26
P/S ratio7.7156.94
P/B ratio10.5617.09
PEG ratio1.94
EV / EBITDA36.26
FCF yield2.12%

Profitability

MetricCWRKLB
Gross margin37.17%36.56%
Operating margin18.48%-33.20%
Net margin14.17%-26.87%
ROE19.42%-8.06%
ROIC12.41%-10.09%

Dividends

MetricCWRKLB
Dividend yield0.13%
Payout ratio7.57%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWRKLB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.60%67.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.79%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.67%
Total return CAGR (5Y)45.55%42.76%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CW or RKLB?
It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CW leads 7 to 1.
Which has grown faster, CW or RKLB?
Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.60% CAGR versus RKLB at 67.26%.
Does CW or RKLB pay a bigger dividend?
CW pays a dividend (0.13% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Is CW or RKLB more profitable?
CW runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.17% versus RKLB at -26.87%.
Which has been the better investment, CW or RKLB?
Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — CW at 24.63% versus RKLB at 42.76%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 25, 2026.