What the Rise of IonQ's Stock Indicates for the Future of Quantum Computing
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RGTI?
Source: Barron's
Transformative Potential: Quantum computing is seen as a groundbreaking technology with the ability to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and defense.
Investor Interest: There is a growing trend of investors showing confidence and investing in quantum computing technologies.
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Analyst Views on RGTI
Wall Street analysts forecast RGTI stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 17.600
Low
30.00
Averages
39.75
High
51.00
Current: 17.600
Low
30.00
Averages
39.75
High
51.00
About RGTI
Rigetti Computing, Inc. is a full-stack quantum computing company. The Company operates quantum computers over the cloud and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The Company’s quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. It has developed a multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. Through the Company’s Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform, its machines can be integrated into any public, private or hybrid cloud. It is also engaged in the sale of quantum processing units (QPUs) and custom computing components, and development contracts and other services. Its QPUs contain fabricated silicon-based chips featuring superconducting qubits. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, an integrated quantum device manufacturing facility.
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 Misses Revenue Expectations, Shares Decline
- Revenue Miss: Rigetti Computing reported revenue of $1.9 million for the latest quarter, falling 17% short of the $2.3 million analyst consensus, indicating a struggle to generate meaningful revenue in the quantum computing sector, which may dampen investor confidence.
- Significant Technical Challenges: The company faces major technological hurdles, as its two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.9% lags behind competitors like IonQ, which achieves 99.99%, potentially limiting Rigetti's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving quantum computing market.
- Increased Operating Losses: Operating expenses surged by 19% to $23.2 million, resulting in an operating loss of $22.6 million, while gross margins declined from 44% to 35%, highlighting difficulties in cost management and profitability enhancement.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Although revenue is projected to rise to $20 million in 2026 due to new orders, the current market capitalization exceeding $5 billion raises concerns about the stock's long-term investment value, suggesting that investors should proceed with caution.
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U.S. Federal Agencies Mandated to Adopt Quantum-Resistant Encryption by 2027
- Industry Transformation Acceleration: All U.S. federal agencies are mandated to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by January 2027, propelling the global quantum technology market to an expected $7.66 billion by 2031, with a 22.6% CAGR, reflecting strong demand for quantum-secure infrastructure.
- Market Expansion Dynamics: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. has expanded its operational markets from four to thirteen since November 2025, with its channel partner count reaching eleven and two additional partnerships expected soon, indicating rapid growth and an expanding customer base in the global market.
- Technological Innovation Enhancement: QSE's Quantum Preparedness Assessment (QPA) platform now includes expanded automation for analyzing software, cryptographic, and hardware bills of materials, aiding organizations in identifying cryptographic risks in complex environments to meet federal long-term migration planning requirements.
- Government Procurement Ecosystem Strengthening: QSE has solidified its position in government procurement by joining the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA), opening new pathways for participation in public sector and defense-related tenders involving quantum readiness initiatives.
See More
U.S. Federal Agencies Mandated to Adopt Quantum-Resistant Encryption by 2027
- Industry Transformation Acceleration: All U.S. federal agencies are mandated to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by 2027, with the global quantum technology market projected to reach $7.66 billion by 2031, reflecting a 22.6% CAGR, which will drive rapid growth for companies like Quantum Secure Encryption Corp.
- Market Expansion Dynamics: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. has expanded its operational markets from four to thirteen since November 2025, with its channel partner count increasing to eleven and two additional partnerships expected soon, enhancing its market penetration in commercial and government sectors.
- Technological Innovation Enhancement: The company's Quantum Preparedness Assessment (QPA) platform now features expanded automation for analyzing software, cryptographic, and hardware materials, aiding organizations in planning long-term transitions to quantum cryptographic standards.
- Government Procurement Opportunities: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. solidified its position within government procurement ecosystems by joining the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA), opening new pathways for participation in public sector and defense-related cybersecurity tenders.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Surge
- Oil Price Surge: The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has driven crude oil prices close to $90 per barrel within a week, marking one of the sharpest weekly gains in years, which directly threatens global energy supply and rattles investor confidence.
- Labor Market Deterioration: The U.S. labor market unexpectedly lost 92,000 nonfarm jobs in February, exacerbating concerns about weakening economic momentum and undermining market confidence in future economic prospects.
- Energy Stocks Rise: The surge in energy costs quickly impacted equity markets, lifting energy stocks while severely hitting fuel-sensitive sectors like airlines and cruise operators, as investors feared rising jet fuel prices would squeeze margins.
- Fragile Market Sentiment: The geopolitical shock has added to already fragile market sentiment, prompting traders to reassess inflation risks associated with rising oil prices and supply disruptions, leading to increased overall market volatility.
See More
Wall Street Excited About Growth Potential of Quantum Pure-Play Companies Like IonQ
- Quantum Computing Significance: BofA Securities analysts have identified quantum computing as a pivotal technological advancement, referring to it as “the next fire moment.”
- Historical Impact: This development is considered one of the most significant in hundreds of thousands of years, highlighting its potential to transform various industries.
See More
Rigetti Computing Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Significant Technical Progress: Rigetti achieved a 99.9% 2-qubit gate fidelity at a 28-nanosecond gate speed in Q4 2025, showcasing the technological advantages of its ProDrive platform, which marks a continued advancement in quantum computing and enhances its competitive position in the market.
- Growing Commercial Orders: The company secured an $8.4 million order from India's C-DAC for a 108-qubit quantum computer scheduled for deployment in the second half of 2026, along with $5.7 million in orders for two 9-qubit Novera systems, indicating strong international demand for its products.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Revenue for Q4 2025 was $1.9 million, down from $2.3 million in Q4 2024, with gross margins declining from 44% to 35%, reflecting cost pressures and market challenges faced during the company's expansion.
- Clear Future Outlook: Management anticipates launching a 150-qubit system by the end of 2026 with a target of 99.7% 2-qubit gate fidelity, demonstrating the company's strong confidence in technical execution and market expansion, aiming to solidify its leadership in the quantum computing sector.
See More
Rigetti Computing Misses Revenue Expectations, Shares Decline
- Revenue Miss: Rigetti Computing reported revenue of $1.9 million for the latest quarter, falling 17% short of the $2.3 million analyst consensus, indicating a struggle to generate meaningful revenue in the quantum computing sector, which may dampen investor confidence.
- Significant Technical Challenges: The company faces major technological hurdles, as its two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.9% lags behind competitors like IonQ, which achieves 99.99%, potentially limiting Rigetti's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving quantum computing market.
- Increased Operating Losses: Operating expenses surged by 19% to $23.2 million, resulting in an operating loss of $22.6 million, while gross margins declined from 44% to 35%, highlighting difficulties in cost management and profitability enhancement.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Although revenue is projected to rise to $20 million in 2026 due to new orders, the current market capitalization exceeding $5 billion raises concerns about the stock's long-term investment value, suggesting that investors should proceed with caution.
See More
U.S. Federal Agencies Mandated to Adopt Quantum-Resistant Encryption by 2027
- Industry Transformation Acceleration: All U.S. federal agencies are mandated to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by January 2027, propelling the global quantum technology market to an expected $7.66 billion by 2031, with a 22.6% CAGR, reflecting strong demand for quantum-secure infrastructure.
- Market Expansion Dynamics: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. has expanded its operational markets from four to thirteen since November 2025, with its channel partner count reaching eleven and two additional partnerships expected soon, indicating rapid growth and an expanding customer base in the global market.
- Technological Innovation Enhancement: QSE's Quantum Preparedness Assessment (QPA) platform now includes expanded automation for analyzing software, cryptographic, and hardware bills of materials, aiding organizations in identifying cryptographic risks in complex environments to meet federal long-term migration planning requirements.
- Government Procurement Ecosystem Strengthening: QSE has solidified its position in government procurement by joining the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA), opening new pathways for participation in public sector and defense-related tenders involving quantum readiness initiatives.
See More
U.S. Federal Agencies Mandated to Adopt Quantum-Resistant Encryption by 2027
- Industry Transformation Acceleration: All U.S. federal agencies are mandated to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by 2027, with the global quantum technology market projected to reach $7.66 billion by 2031, reflecting a 22.6% CAGR, which will drive rapid growth for companies like Quantum Secure Encryption Corp.
- Market Expansion Dynamics: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. has expanded its operational markets from four to thirteen since November 2025, with its channel partner count increasing to eleven and two additional partnerships expected soon, enhancing its market penetration in commercial and government sectors.
- Technological Innovation Enhancement: The company's Quantum Preparedness Assessment (QPA) platform now features expanded automation for analyzing software, cryptographic, and hardware materials, aiding organizations in planning long-term transitions to quantum cryptographic standards.
- Government Procurement Opportunities: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. solidified its position within government procurement ecosystems by joining the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA), opening new pathways for participation in public sector and defense-related cybersecurity tenders.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Oil Prices Surge
- Oil Price Surge: The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has driven crude oil prices close to $90 per barrel within a week, marking one of the sharpest weekly gains in years, which directly threatens global energy supply and rattles investor confidence.
- Labor Market Deterioration: The U.S. labor market unexpectedly lost 92,000 nonfarm jobs in February, exacerbating concerns about weakening economic momentum and undermining market confidence in future economic prospects.
- Energy Stocks Rise: The surge in energy costs quickly impacted equity markets, lifting energy stocks while severely hitting fuel-sensitive sectors like airlines and cruise operators, as investors feared rising jet fuel prices would squeeze margins.
- Fragile Market Sentiment: The geopolitical shock has added to already fragile market sentiment, prompting traders to reassess inflation risks associated with rising oil prices and supply disruptions, leading to increased overall market volatility.
See More
Wall Street Excited About Growth Potential of Quantum Pure-Play Companies Like IonQ
- Quantum Computing Significance: BofA Securities analysts have identified quantum computing as a pivotal technological advancement, referring to it as “the next fire moment.”
- Historical Impact: This development is considered one of the most significant in hundreds of thousands of years, highlighting its potential to transform various industries.
See More
Rigetti Computing Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Significant Technical Progress: Rigetti achieved a 99.9% 2-qubit gate fidelity at a 28-nanosecond gate speed in Q4 2025, showcasing the technological advantages of its ProDrive platform, which marks a continued advancement in quantum computing and enhances its competitive position in the market.
- Growing Commercial Orders: The company secured an $8.4 million order from India's C-DAC for a 108-qubit quantum computer scheduled for deployment in the second half of 2026, along with $5.7 million in orders for two 9-qubit Novera systems, indicating strong international demand for its products.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Revenue for Q4 2025 was $1.9 million, down from $2.3 million in Q4 2024, with gross margins declining from 44% to 35%, reflecting cost pressures and market challenges faced during the company's expansion.
- Clear Future Outlook: Management anticipates launching a 150-qubit system by the end of 2026 with a target of 99.7% 2-qubit gate fidelity, demonstrating the company's strong confidence in technical execution and market expansion, aiming to solidify its leadership in the quantum computing sector.
See More
