Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)

DAL leads on 6 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — DAL vs RKLB

growth of $100 · last 6y
DAL +101.3%RKLB +950.8%RKLB compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100202120222023202420252026$201$1,051
DAL RKLB

DAL vs RKLB: by the numbers

  • RKLB is the larger company ($59.27B vs $54.57B market cap).
  • DAL is profitable (6.87% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
  • RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 38.80% CAGR).
  • DAL pays a dividend (0.90% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.

Which is better, DAL or RKLB?

Metric tally: DAL 6 · RKLB 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricDALRKLB
P/E ratio12.13
Forward P/E15.17
P/S ratio0.8391.22
P/B ratio2.6627.38
PEG ratio0.21
EV / EBITDA6.95
FCF yield7.24%

Profitability

MetricDALRKLB
Gross margin26.19%36.56%
Operating margin8.83%-33.20%
Net margin6.87%-26.87%
ROE21.97%-8.06%
ROIC8.30%-10.09%

Dividends

MetricDALRKLB
Dividend yield0.90%
Payout ratio9.72%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALRKLB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)38.80%67.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)115.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.04%57.75%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DAL or RKLB?
It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: DAL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 6 to 3.
Which has grown faster, DAL or RKLB?
Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus RKLB at 67.26%.
Does DAL or RKLB pay a bigger dividend?
DAL pays a dividend (0.90% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Is DAL or RKLB more profitable?
DAL runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus RKLB at -26.87%.
Which has been the better investment, DAL or RKLB?
Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 8.36% versus RKLB at 57.75%. 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 June 14, 2026.