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).
CW
Curtiss-Wright Corporation
$750.19IndustrialsAt close: Jul 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
RKLB
Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
$63.91IndustrialsAt close: Jul 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CW vs RKLB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 6yCW +527.6%RKLB +555.9%RKLB compounded faster
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 1It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCW(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CW | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 54.92 | — |
| Forward P/E | 49.26 | — |
| P/S ratio | 7.71● | 56.94 |
| P/B ratio | 10.56● | 17.09 |
| PEG ratio | 1.94 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 36.26 | — |
| FCF yield | 2.12% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | CW | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.17% | 36.56% |
| Operating margin | 18.48%● | -33.20% |
| Net margin | 14.17%● | -26.87% |
| ROE | 19.42%● | -8.06% |
| ROIC | 12.41%● | -10.09% |
Dividends
| Metric | CW | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.13% | — |
| Payout ratio | 7.57% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CW | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Curtiss-Wright P/E ratioRocket Lab USA P/E ratioCurtiss-Wright dividend yieldRocket Lab USA dividend yieldCurtiss-Wright ROERocket Lab USA ROECurtiss-Wright operating marginRocket Lab USA operating marginCurtiss-Wright revenue growthRocket Lab USA revenue growthCurtiss-Wright free cash flowRocket Lab USA free cash flow
Curtiss-Wright & Rocket Lab USA appear in these rankings
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.