Recognizing that the days when businesses were limited to the pale blue dot of Earth are over, investors are paying increasing attention to space stocks like Firefly Aerospace (FLY 0.45%). If you're a growth investor who's taken notice of this trend, you may be interested in buying Firefly Aerospace stock to gain exposure to the final frontier.
For decades, access to space was restricted to those working with a government agency like NASA, but private companies are gaining a prominent foothold among the stars. Novaspace, a space consulting and market intelligence company, projects that the global space economy will grow from $596 billion in 2024 to $944 billion by 2033.
Firefly Aerospace is developing launch vehicles and spacecraft to provide leading services to customers. In March 2025, the company became one of the first commercial companies to complete a successful landing on the moon, where it delivered a suite of instruments for NASA.
In August 2025, Firefly joined the small -- but growing -- list of space stocks when it held its initial public offering (IPO).
How to buy
How to buy Firefly Aerospace stock?
For investors who are interested in reaching for the stars with one of the newest space stocks available on the market, there are a few basic steps they must take.
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Profitability
Is Firefly Aerospace profitable?
Before Firefly held its IPO, there wasn't much sense of Firefly's profitability. After it filed a Form S-1, however, investors gained considerably more insight into the company's financial situation.
With respect to the top of the income statement, Firefly glows brightly in its success at achieving strong growth. For the three-month period ending March 31, 2025, Firefly generated sales of $55.9 million compared to sales of $8.3 million in 2024. The company also succeeded a little further down the income statement. For the three-month period ending March 31, 2025, Firefly posted a gross profit of $2.2 million, a notable turnaround from the gross loss of $1.9 million that it reported during the same period in the previous year.
Ultimately, however, Firefly is still unprofitable on a net income basis. For the quarter ending March 31, 2025, Firefly reported a net loss of $60.1 million.
Dividends
Does Firefly Aerospace pay a dividend?
As of September 2025, Firefly didn't pay a dividend. Since the company is in the early innings of its development, it's unlikely it will start to do so at any point in the near future. The company, for example, states in its S-1 that it "currently intend[s] to retain any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future."
Should I invest?
Should I invest in Firefly Aerospace?
For investors who are bullish on Firefly's prospects but who have low tolerances for risk or for those interested in gaining exposure to a variety of space stocks, buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that may be a more desirable option than buying Firefly stock on its own.
While some are confident that investing in Firefly Aerospace is a smart investment for them, others may not have the same priorities. If you can answer yes to most of the following questions, however, investing in Firefly Aerospace may be the right move for you:
- Are you looking for exposure to an innovative space stock that has strong growth potential?
- Do you need more portfolio diversification?
- Are you comfortable investing in an unprofitable company whose stock represents a higher degree of risk?
- Are you OK with not generating dividends from your investment?
- Since the space industry may not develop as quickly as expected, can you exercise patience while the industry matures, even though it may take longer than you previously anticipated?
ETF options
ETFs with exposure to Firefly Aerospace
Because Firefly Aerospace stock doesn't have a lengthy time on the market, it hasn't found its way into many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as of September 2025. But investors who were hoping to gain exposure to Firefly Aerospace through an ETF are not completely out of luck since there are ETF options that provide ample space stock exposure.
- ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX 2.91%): Since March 2021, the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF has provided investors with access to a basket of companies operating in and around space. The ETF, led by Cathie Wood, has about $406 million in net assets as of September 2025. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS 2.42%), Rocket Lab (RKLB 9.28%), and drone stock AeroVironment (AVAV 3.96%) represent the fund's top three holdings. Currently, the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF has an expense ratio of 0.75%.
- SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR 0.68%): With about $4.1 billion in assets under management, the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF is a sound option for conservative investors. The ETF is chock full of well-established companies, and the weighted average market cap of stocks is $50.3 billion. Rocket Lab is the fund's largest position, while Kratos Defense & Security and AeroVironment round out the top three positions in the fund. With a gross expense ratio of 0.35%, the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF is a smart option for those looking to keep management fees down.
Related investing topics
The bottom line on Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace may seem like an out-of-this-world investment opportunity, but it's important to recognize that, because the company is unprofitable and growth in the space industry may develop more slowly than investors anticipate, the stock is best left to those who are undaunted by a more speculative investment.
Whether you're interested in piloting Firefly Aerospace into your portfolio or you're more comfortable sitting on the sidelines for the time being, Firefly Aerospace is certainly a space stock to follow closely.
FAQ
Investing in Firefly Aerospace FAQ
How do I invest in Firefly Aerospace?
Investors can invest in Firefly Aerospace through an online brokerage.
Is Firefly Aerospace on the stock market?
After its IPO in August 2025, Firefly Aerospace is now listed on the Nasdaq exchange.
What is the ticker for Firefly Aerospace?
Firefly Aerospace trades on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker FLY.
When will Firefly Aerospace IPO?
Firefly Aerospace held its IPO in August 2025.
