These three stocks are must-own ahead of the SpaceX IPO

As the global financial community eagerly awaits SpaceX’s historic initial public offering (IPO) – rumoured to command some $1.7 trillion valuation on June 12 – a wave of capital is flooding into public space stocks.

This unprecedented offering promises to shine a “blinding spotlight” on the entire commercial space ecosystem, resetting industry benchmarks and driving institutional demand to a fever pitch.

For investors aiming to capitalize on this multi-generational expansion, three major players: Linde, Redwire, and Rocket Lab stand out as essential portfolio additions, uniquely positioned to capture the immense tailwinds of the impending SpaceX boom.

Rocket Lab (RKLB)

Rocket Lab has emerged as the premier challenger to SpaceX’s launch dominance, rapidly closing the gap through a remarkably similar playbook of relentless in-house vertical integration.

By controlling its own spacecraft manufacturing, scheduling, and launch infrastructure, the firm maintains absolute command over its quality and cost structure.

Rocket Lab’s financial momentum is undeniable; a stellar opening quarter saw revenues surge 63% year-on-year to $200 million, backed by an explosive $2 billion backlog that’s more than doubled over the past twelve months.

While dominating the small-satellite sector, the upcoming debut of its medium-lift Neutron rocket serves as the ultimate valuation catalyst.

As institutional capital hunts for comparable space proxies ahead of the SpaceX IPO, Rocket Lab stock offers a rare, high-growth long-term alternative trading at a highly attractive relative discount.

Redwire (RDW)

While launch providers capture the headlines, Redwire represents the essential, “under-the-radar” backbone of space infrastructure.

Supplying critical avionics, sensors, and solar power solutions, the firm has established a direct, proven track record by supporting SpaceX’s high-profile payload missions to the International Space Station.

RDW is translating this operational credibility into fiscal scale, projecting full-year revenue to hit up to $500 million – a sharp increase from the $335 million recorded last year.

Furthermore, its selection for the US Space Force’s prestigious Andromeda IDIQ contract vehicle firmly validates its elite status in national security programs.

With a nimble $2.8 billion market cap, Redwire offers asymmetric upside; as SpaceX lifts industry valuations, this pure-play infrastructure specialist is primed for dramatic multiple expansion.

Linde (LIN)

For investors seeking a highly stable, blue-chip powerhouse with direct operational ties to SpaceX, Linde stock provides the perfect risk-mitigated entry into the cosmos.

Generating nearly $35 billion in trailing revenue, the industrial gas titan has anchored itself to the future of propulsion by constructing a strategic $100 million air separation plant less than 50 miles from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.

This proximity ensures LIN will remain the key supplier of the liquid oxygen and nitrogen required to fuel heavy rocket launches.

While aerospace currently represents just under 5% of Linde’s sales, the segment is experiencing rapid organic acceleration.

As the frequency of massive orbital launches scales exponentially post-IPO, Linde Plc acts as an essential “picks and shovels” play – transforming reliable industrial execution into secular space-age growth.