Rocket Lab USA will buy Geost for $275 million
The aerospace sector is buzzing today. Rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab USA Inc (NASDAQ:RKLB) entered a definitive agreement to acquire electro-optical and infrared payload development company Geost for $275 million, and drone and air taxi maker Joby Aviation Inc (NYSE:JOBY) received $250 million from Toyota Motor (TM), which is part of a previously announced $500 million investment.
RKLB is up 1.1% to trade at $29.08 at last check, after nabbing price-target hikes from both Stifel and Needham to $34 and $32, respectively. Shares boast a 567.1% year-over-year lead, rose 15% so far in 2025, and earlier surged to their highest level since February with support from the 20-day moving average.
JOBY was last seen 31% at $9.04, trading at its highest level since February after bouncing off support from the $6.50 level. The security is also pacing for its best single-day percentage gain since June 2023 and sports a 45.5% quarter-to-date lead, in addition to its 80% gain over the last 12 months.
Overall options volume is running at double the intraday average volume for RKLB so far today, while JOBY is seeing 22 times amount typically seen at this point. The weekly 5/30 30-strike call is leading the charge for the former, and the 9 call in that same series is most popular for the former, with new positions being opened at both.