Firefly Aerospace vs. Joby Aviation: Which Industrials Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Investors weighing the 2026 aerospace market face a split between companies pursuing orbital launch and lunar services versus those building electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles for urban air mobility. Firefly Aerospace (NASDAQ: FLY) sells orbital launch capacity through its Alpha rocket and provides lunar services with its Blue Ghost lander, working with partners including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In FY 2025 it posted revenue near $159.9 million, up 163%, but a net loss of about $334 million. Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) reported about $53.4 million in FY 2025 revenue but a net loss of roughly $930 million, driven by FAA certification and manufacturing scale costs.