Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)

WAB leads on 6 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation 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 — RKLB vs WAB

growth of $100 · last 6y
RKLB +950.8%WAB +248.0%RKLB compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100202120222023202420252026$1,051$348
RKLB WAB

RKLB vs WAB: by the numbers

  • RKLB is the larger company ($59.27B vs $45.00B market cap).
  • WAB is profitable (10.52% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
  • RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 9.07% CAGR).
  • WAB pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.

Which is better, RKLB or WAB?

Metric tally: RKLB 3 · WAB 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricRKLBWAB
P/E ratio37.51
Forward P/E24.98
P/S ratio91.223.93
P/B ratio27.384.06
PEG ratio2.32
EV / EBITDA22.29
FCF yield3.63%

Profitability

MetricRKLBWAB
Gross margin36.56%33.81%
Operating margin-33.20%16.10%
Net margin-26.87%10.52%
ROE-8.06%10.85%
ROIC-10.09%7.64%

Dividends

MetricRKLBWAB
Dividend yield0.42%
Payout ratio16.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRKLBWAB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)67.26%9.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)25.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)57.75%27.28%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RKLB or WAB?
It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: WAB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WAB leads 6 to 3.
Which has grown faster, RKLB or WAB?
Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — RKLB at a 67.26% CAGR versus WAB at 9.07%.
Does RKLB or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
WAB pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Is RKLB or WAB more profitable?
WAB runs the higher net margin — RKLB at -26.87% versus WAB at 10.52%.
Which has been the better investment, RKLB or WAB?
Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — RKLB at 57.75% versus WAB at 14.10%. 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.