Comparative Analysis of Quantum Computing Firms D-Wave and IonQ
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Diverse Customer Base: D-Wave Quantum maintains a commercial customer base of over 135 organizations, including global leaders like Pfizer and Mastercard, which not only strengthens its market position but also lays the groundwork for further expansion in the quantum computing sector.
- Financial Performance Comparison: IonQ reported revenue of $130 million for fiscal 2025, reflecting a 202% year-over-year growth, and despite facing a net loss of approximately $512.1 million, its debt-free financial structure and strong cash flow capabilities indicate robust financial health.
- Technical Strategy Differences: D-Wave focuses on annealing technology to solve complex optimization problems, while IonQ utilizes trapped-ion technology for general-purpose computing, creating distinct advantages that attract different types of customers in the competitive landscape.
- Market Outlook and Risks: Although D-Wave's acquisition of Quantum Circuits in 2026 aims to broaden its product offerings, its nearly $1 billion accumulated deficit and competitive pressures from giants like IBM and Microsoft present significant risks that could impact its future growth.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy QBTS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on QBTS
Wall Street analysts forecast QBTS stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 29.490
Low
35.00
Averages
40.67
High
48.00
Current: 29.490
Low
35.00
Averages
40.67
High
48.00
About QBTS
D-Wave Quantum Inc. is a quantum computing company, which is engaged in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. The Company builds and delivers systems, cloud services, application development tools, and professional services to support the end-to-end quantum computing journey for enterprises and developers. The Company's products include Cloud Platform, Systems, Professional Services, and others. Under its Cloud Platform, the Leap quantum cloud service delivers immediate, real-time access to its quantum computers and hybrid solvers services. Under its Systems, the Advantage quantum system is a quantum computer designed for business. It also offers quantum applications to a range of customers, including resource scheduling, factory scheduling, industrial construction design, drug discovery, and others. It offers solutions across workforce scheduling, production scheduling, vehicle routing, resource optimization, and cargo loading.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge 9.63% Amid Quantum Funding News
- Stock Surge: Rigetti Computing's shares rose by 9.63% to close at $27.03, extending gains from last week following news of U.S. government funding for domestic quantum firms, indicating strong market confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 85.2 million shares, approximately 146% above the three-month average of 34.7 million shares, reflecting heightened investor interest and activity in the quantum computing space.
- Positive Market Outlook: Since its IPO in 2021, Rigetti's stock has surged 173%, with over 60% gains in the past week, demonstrating rapid growth in the quantum computing industry that is attracting significant investor attention.
- Industry Potential: The Boston Consulting Group forecasts that the quantum computing market could create $450 billion in economic value by 2040, and while Rigetti's stock may experience short-term volatility, its leadership in superconducting quantum processors positions it well for long-term success.
See More
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge Nearly 10% Amid Quantum Funding News
- Stock Performance: Rigetti Computing closed at $27.03 on Thursday, up 9.79%, driven by the U.S. government's funding program for domestic quantum firms, indicating strong market confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 85.2 million shares, approximately 146% above the three-month average of 34.7 million shares, reflecting heightened investor interest and active market participation in the quantum computing industry.
- Industry Outlook: Since its IPO in 2021, Rigetti's stock has surged 173%, with over 60% gains in the past week, particularly following the announcement of over $2 billion in grants to nine quantum firms, showcasing robust growth potential in the sector.
- Market Potential: The Boston Consulting Group forecasts that the quantum computing market could generate $450 billion in economic value by 2040, and while Rigetti's stock may experience short-term volatility, its leadership in superconducting quantum processors positions it well for long-term success.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Insider Selling Raises Concerns
- Insider Selling Warning: Executives at IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have collectively sold $931 million more in stock than they purchased over the past five years, indicating potential concerns about the companies' future prospects, which could undermine investor confidence.
- Market Performance Comparison: Despite quantum computing stocks boasting trailing returns of up to 6,217% over the past year, the ongoing insider selling behavior may suggest overvaluation, impacting the market's long-term outlook on the sector.
- Lack of Buying Interest: During the same period, insiders at IonQ spent only $3.35 million on company shares, with Rigetti and D-Wave's purchases even lower at $625,000 and $309,080 respectively, reflecting a lack of confidence in future growth.
- Valuation Bubble Risk: Currently, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have price-to-sales ratios of 109, 836, and 791, respectively, significantly exceeding the historically sustainable level of 30, suggesting a potential risk of a market bubble burst.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Ignite Investor Excitement
- Insider Selling: Over the past five years, insiders at IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have collectively sold approximately $931 million more in shares than they purchased, indicating concerns about the companies' future prospects despite the massive potential of the quantum computing market, projected to generate $850 billion in economic value by 2040.
- Overvalued Stocks: Currently, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have price-to-sales ratios of 109, 836, and 791, respectively, significantly exceeding the historically sustainable level of 30, suggesting that market expectations for these early-stage companies may be overly optimistic, warranting caution from investors.
- Weak Insider Buying: During the same period, insiders at IonQ spent only $3.35 million on their company's shares, with even lower amounts for Rigetti and D-Wave at $625,000 and $309,080, respectively, reflecting a lack of confidence among executives regarding the companies' future performance.
- Historical Trend Warning: Over the past 30 years, many emerging trends have experienced bubble bursts, and with quantum computing still lacking widespread adoption, investors should be wary of potential market corrections, especially given the current high stock prices.
See More
U.S. Government Invests in Quantum Computing Firms
- Government Investment Plan: The U.S. government is set to invest up to $100 million each in D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion as part of a $2 billion infusion into the quantum computing sector, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies, although these investments are still considered highly speculative.
- D-Wave Quantum Development: D-Wave Quantum focuses on quantum annealing technology and has begun selling its Advantage II systems to commercial clients, planning to use government funding to expedite the development of a 10,000-qubit gate-model system, aiming for breakthroughs in optimization problems to enhance its market competitiveness.
- Rigetti Computing Challenges: While Rigetti Computing's quantum systems are estimated to be 1,000 times faster than traditional technologies, the company has struggled with accuracy issues and has not yet reached Stage B of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative; government investment will be directed towards addressing its technical challenges in superconducting quantum computing.
- Infleqtion's Market Positioning: Infleqtion went public through a SPAC merger, focusing on quantum sensing and precision timing tools, securing U.S. and U.K. government clients, and plans to utilize government funding to continue developing its neutral-atom quantum systems, aiming for a two-gate fidelity of 99.9% in 2024.
See More
U.S. Government Invests in Quantum Computing Firms
- Government Investment Plan: The U.S. government is set to invest up to $100 million each in D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion, aiming to accelerate advancements in quantum computing technology and enhance market competitiveness.
- D-Wave Quantum's Strategy: D-Wave is advancing both quantum annealing and traditional gate-based quantum computing systems, leveraging government funding to expedite the development of a 10,000-qubit gate model, which is expected to strengthen its market position in solving optimization problems.
- Rigetti's Accuracy Challenges: While Rigetti's quantum systems are estimated to be 1,000 times faster than traditional technologies, accuracy issues remain unresolved, and the company has not yet progressed to Stage B of the U.S. Defense Department's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative; government investment will be directed towards addressing these technical challenges.
- Infleqtion's Market Positioning: Infleqtion focuses on quantum sensing and precision timing tools, securing government contracts, and its neutral atom technology allows its quantum computers to operate at room temperature; government funding will support the continued development of this innovative technology.
See More
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge 9.63% Amid Quantum Funding News
- Stock Surge: Rigetti Computing's shares rose by 9.63% to close at $27.03, extending gains from last week following news of U.S. government funding for domestic quantum firms, indicating strong market confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 85.2 million shares, approximately 146% above the three-month average of 34.7 million shares, reflecting heightened investor interest and activity in the quantum computing space.
- Positive Market Outlook: Since its IPO in 2021, Rigetti's stock has surged 173%, with over 60% gains in the past week, demonstrating rapid growth in the quantum computing industry that is attracting significant investor attention.
- Industry Potential: The Boston Consulting Group forecasts that the quantum computing market could create $450 billion in economic value by 2040, and while Rigetti's stock may experience short-term volatility, its leadership in superconducting quantum processors positions it well for long-term success.
See More
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge Nearly 10% Amid Quantum Funding News
- Stock Performance: Rigetti Computing closed at $27.03 on Thursday, up 9.79%, driven by the U.S. government's funding program for domestic quantum firms, indicating strong market confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 85.2 million shares, approximately 146% above the three-month average of 34.7 million shares, reflecting heightened investor interest and active market participation in the quantum computing industry.
- Industry Outlook: Since its IPO in 2021, Rigetti's stock has surged 173%, with over 60% gains in the past week, particularly following the announcement of over $2 billion in grants to nine quantum firms, showcasing robust growth potential in the sector.
- Market Potential: The Boston Consulting Group forecasts that the quantum computing market could generate $450 billion in economic value by 2040, and while Rigetti's stock may experience short-term volatility, its leadership in superconducting quantum processors positions it well for long-term success.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Insider Selling Raises Concerns
- Insider Selling Warning: Executives at IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have collectively sold $931 million more in stock than they purchased over the past five years, indicating potential concerns about the companies' future prospects, which could undermine investor confidence.
- Market Performance Comparison: Despite quantum computing stocks boasting trailing returns of up to 6,217% over the past year, the ongoing insider selling behavior may suggest overvaluation, impacting the market's long-term outlook on the sector.
- Lack of Buying Interest: During the same period, insiders at IonQ spent only $3.35 million on company shares, with Rigetti and D-Wave's purchases even lower at $625,000 and $309,080 respectively, reflecting a lack of confidence in future growth.
- Valuation Bubble Risk: Currently, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have price-to-sales ratios of 109, 836, and 791, respectively, significantly exceeding the historically sustainable level of 30, suggesting a potential risk of a market bubble burst.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Ignite Investor Excitement
- Insider Selling: Over the past five years, insiders at IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have collectively sold approximately $931 million more in shares than they purchased, indicating concerns about the companies' future prospects despite the massive potential of the quantum computing market, projected to generate $850 billion in economic value by 2040.
- Overvalued Stocks: Currently, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have price-to-sales ratios of 109, 836, and 791, respectively, significantly exceeding the historically sustainable level of 30, suggesting that market expectations for these early-stage companies may be overly optimistic, warranting caution from investors.
- Weak Insider Buying: During the same period, insiders at IonQ spent only $3.35 million on their company's shares, with even lower amounts for Rigetti and D-Wave at $625,000 and $309,080, respectively, reflecting a lack of confidence among executives regarding the companies' future performance.
- Historical Trend Warning: Over the past 30 years, many emerging trends have experienced bubble bursts, and with quantum computing still lacking widespread adoption, investors should be wary of potential market corrections, especially given the current high stock prices.
See More
U.S. Government Invests in Quantum Computing Firms
- Government Investment Plan: The U.S. government is set to invest up to $100 million each in D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion as part of a $2 billion infusion into the quantum computing sector, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies, although these investments are still considered highly speculative.
- D-Wave Quantum Development: D-Wave Quantum focuses on quantum annealing technology and has begun selling its Advantage II systems to commercial clients, planning to use government funding to expedite the development of a 10,000-qubit gate-model system, aiming for breakthroughs in optimization problems to enhance its market competitiveness.
- Rigetti Computing Challenges: While Rigetti Computing's quantum systems are estimated to be 1,000 times faster than traditional technologies, the company has struggled with accuracy issues and has not yet reached Stage B of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative; government investment will be directed towards addressing its technical challenges in superconducting quantum computing.
- Infleqtion's Market Positioning: Infleqtion went public through a SPAC merger, focusing on quantum sensing and precision timing tools, securing U.S. and U.K. government clients, and plans to utilize government funding to continue developing its neutral-atom quantum systems, aiming for a two-gate fidelity of 99.9% in 2024.
See More
U.S. Government Invests in Quantum Computing Firms
- Government Investment Plan: The U.S. government is set to invest up to $100 million each in D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion, aiming to accelerate advancements in quantum computing technology and enhance market competitiveness.
- D-Wave Quantum's Strategy: D-Wave is advancing both quantum annealing and traditional gate-based quantum computing systems, leveraging government funding to expedite the development of a 10,000-qubit gate model, which is expected to strengthen its market position in solving optimization problems.
- Rigetti's Accuracy Challenges: While Rigetti's quantum systems are estimated to be 1,000 times faster than traditional technologies, accuracy issues remain unresolved, and the company has not yet progressed to Stage B of the U.S. Defense Department's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative; government investment will be directed towards addressing these technical challenges.
- Infleqtion's Market Positioning: Infleqtion focuses on quantum sensing and precision timing tools, securing government contracts, and its neutral atom technology allows its quantum computers to operate at room temperature; government funding will support the continued development of this innovative technology.
See More
