D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) Shares Drop 6.2% Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 21 2026
0mins
Should l Buy QBTS?
Source: Fool
- Stock Decline: D-Wave Quantum's shares fell 6.2% on Tuesday, reflecting market concerns over geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding potential impacts on U.S.-European trade relations.
- Overall Market Performance: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices dropped 2.1% and 2.4%, respectively, indicating a broad market sell-off that also affected D-Wave as a quantum computing company.
- Trade War Risks: President Trump threatened tariffs on eight allies, including seven EU members, unless they support the U.S. acquisition of Greenland, which could directly impact D-Wave's European operations.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Despite the promising outlook for quantum computing technology, D-Wave's market valuation stands at $10 billion with only $24.14 million in sales over the past 12 months, leading analysts to advise caution for potential investors.
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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: 18.940
Low
35.00
Averages
40.67
High
48.00
Current: 18.940
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.
Quantum Stocks Face Increased Short Selling Pressure
- Increased Short Selling: According to Benzinga's Short Interest Report, IonQ's short interest rose from 79.28 million to 82.81 million shares, representing 23.31% of its float, indicating growing pessimism about its future performance in the market.
- Rigetti's Earnings Outlook: Rigetti is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings, with analysts estimating a loss of four cents per share; despite beating expectations in the previous quarter with a loss of three cents, its revenue of $1.95 million fell short of the $2.26 million estimate, highlighting ongoing profitability pressures.
- IonQ's Strong Performance: IonQ's fourth-quarter earnings report revealed a revenue of $61.9 million, a staggering 429% year-over-year increase, with a loss of 20 cents per share, significantly better than the expected loss of 48 cents, showcasing its robust growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
- D-Wave's Continued Decline: D-Wave has faced pressure after missing EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, with its latest report showing a loss of nine cents per share and revenue of $2.75 million, falling short of the $3.90 million consensus, reflecting a weakening competitive position in the market.
See More
Quantum Computing Shares Surge Following Earnings Announcement: Key Insights.
- Earnings Report Overview: The latest earnings report from Quantum Computing has raised more questions than it provided answers.
- Stock Performance: Despite the uncertainties highlighted in the report, the company's stock experienced a gain.
See More
Comparing Quantum Computing Stocks: Rigetti vs. D-Wave
- Business Model Differences: Rigetti focuses on building quantum computing systems and selling access, with a 2023 revenue of $7.5 million reflecting its challenges in the R&D phase, while D-Wave has opted for earlier commercialization, offering hybrid systems that combine quantum and classical computing, achieving a 2023 revenue of $24.1 million with relatively stable income.
- Financial Comparison: Rigetti's free cash flow stands at -$67.6 million with cash and equivalents of $447 million, indicating significant funding pressure; in contrast, D-Wave's free cash flow is -$54.8 million with cash and equivalents of $836.2 million, providing a longer runway before needing additional capital.
- Market Outlook Assessment: Although Rigetti is considered to have greater long-term potential, Morningstar's analysis suggests that true commercial quantum computing could be 5 to 10 years away, with general-use quantum computing potentially 20 years off, highlighting the industry's uncertainty.
- Investment Recommendation: Given the substantial funding pressures and uncertainties both companies face, along with their multi-billion dollar market capitalizations, investing in either stock is not advisable at this time; instead, consider companies like Alphabet, which has the financial resources to support quantum R&D indefinitely.
See More
D-Wave's Q4 Results Fall Short of Expectations
- Results Miss Expectations: D-Wave Quantum's Q4 report revealed a non-GAAP loss of $0.09 per share on revenue of $2.8 million, falling short of Wall Street's expectations of a $0.06 loss and $3.7 million in sales, highlighting the challenges faced in the quantum computing sector.
- Guidance Boosts Confidence: Despite the disappointing Q4 results, D-Wave's guidance for stronger growth in the second half of the year has bolstered investor confidence, indicating potential for improved performance, although caution remains regarding sales growth expectations.
- Industry Sentiment Improves: A stronger-than-expected quarterly report from IonQ has enhanced bullish sentiment across the quantum sector, with D-Wave's stock closing up 4% post-report, reflecting ongoing market interest in quantum technologies.
- Market Volatility Risks: With geopolitical uncertainties likely to influence market movements, D-Wave and other quantum stocks could experience significant price swings, necessitating careful risk-reward assessments by investors.
See More
D-Wave Quantum Stock Rises 4% Despite Q4 Earnings Miss
- Stock Performance: D-Wave Quantum's stock managed to rise 4% last week despite a significant pullback on Friday, indicating market confidence in its future growth amid declines in broader indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
- Earnings Report Analysis: The company's Q4 report, released on February 26, revealed a non-GAAP loss of $0.09 per share on revenue of $2.8 million, missing Wall Street's expectations of a $0.06 loss and $3.7 million in sales, highlighting challenges in profitability.
- Future Outlook: Despite the disappointing Q4 results, D-Wave's guidance for stronger growth in the second half of the year bolstered bullish sentiment, suggesting ongoing interest in the company's potential within the quantum computing sector.
- Market Environment: With geopolitical volatility likely to influence market movements, D-Wave and other quantum stocks could experience significant price swings, necessitating cautious positioning from investors in light of future uncertainties.
See More
MarketBeat Weekly Recap – February 23 to February 27
Market Trends: Investors are shifting from technology stocks to traditional defensive assets like gold, with evidence suggesting a rotation towards blue-chip stocks as tech stocks remain under pressure.
Earnings Reports: Anticipation surrounds upcoming earnings reports, particularly from companies like NVIDIA and PayPal, with analysts highlighting strong performance expectations and potential growth opportunities.
AI Sector: The AI infrastructure trade continues to be a significant market driver, with investors advised to focus on key stocks within the AI supply chain that are expected to perform well.
Investment Opportunities: Analysts recommend looking for undervalued stocks, particularly in the retail sector, as well as identifying potential long-term opportunities amidst market volatility and recent sell-offs.
See More
Quantum Stocks Face Increased Short Selling Pressure
- Increased Short Selling: According to Benzinga's Short Interest Report, IonQ's short interest rose from 79.28 million to 82.81 million shares, representing 23.31% of its float, indicating growing pessimism about its future performance in the market.
- Rigetti's Earnings Outlook: Rigetti is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings, with analysts estimating a loss of four cents per share; despite beating expectations in the previous quarter with a loss of three cents, its revenue of $1.95 million fell short of the $2.26 million estimate, highlighting ongoing profitability pressures.
- IonQ's Strong Performance: IonQ's fourth-quarter earnings report revealed a revenue of $61.9 million, a staggering 429% year-over-year increase, with a loss of 20 cents per share, significantly better than the expected loss of 48 cents, showcasing its robust growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
- D-Wave's Continued Decline: D-Wave has faced pressure after missing EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, with its latest report showing a loss of nine cents per share and revenue of $2.75 million, falling short of the $3.90 million consensus, reflecting a weakening competitive position in the market.
See More
Quantum Computing Shares Surge Following Earnings Announcement: Key Insights.
- Earnings Report Overview: The latest earnings report from Quantum Computing has raised more questions than it provided answers.
- Stock Performance: Despite the uncertainties highlighted in the report, the company's stock experienced a gain.
See More
Comparing Quantum Computing Stocks: Rigetti vs. D-Wave
- Business Model Differences: Rigetti focuses on building quantum computing systems and selling access, with a 2023 revenue of $7.5 million reflecting its challenges in the R&D phase, while D-Wave has opted for earlier commercialization, offering hybrid systems that combine quantum and classical computing, achieving a 2023 revenue of $24.1 million with relatively stable income.
- Financial Comparison: Rigetti's free cash flow stands at -$67.6 million with cash and equivalents of $447 million, indicating significant funding pressure; in contrast, D-Wave's free cash flow is -$54.8 million with cash and equivalents of $836.2 million, providing a longer runway before needing additional capital.
- Market Outlook Assessment: Although Rigetti is considered to have greater long-term potential, Morningstar's analysis suggests that true commercial quantum computing could be 5 to 10 years away, with general-use quantum computing potentially 20 years off, highlighting the industry's uncertainty.
- Investment Recommendation: Given the substantial funding pressures and uncertainties both companies face, along with their multi-billion dollar market capitalizations, investing in either stock is not advisable at this time; instead, consider companies like Alphabet, which has the financial resources to support quantum R&D indefinitely.
See More
D-Wave's Q4 Results Fall Short of Expectations
- Results Miss Expectations: D-Wave Quantum's Q4 report revealed a non-GAAP loss of $0.09 per share on revenue of $2.8 million, falling short of Wall Street's expectations of a $0.06 loss and $3.7 million in sales, highlighting the challenges faced in the quantum computing sector.
- Guidance Boosts Confidence: Despite the disappointing Q4 results, D-Wave's guidance for stronger growth in the second half of the year has bolstered investor confidence, indicating potential for improved performance, although caution remains regarding sales growth expectations.
- Industry Sentiment Improves: A stronger-than-expected quarterly report from IonQ has enhanced bullish sentiment across the quantum sector, with D-Wave's stock closing up 4% post-report, reflecting ongoing market interest in quantum technologies.
- Market Volatility Risks: With geopolitical uncertainties likely to influence market movements, D-Wave and other quantum stocks could experience significant price swings, necessitating careful risk-reward assessments by investors.
See More
D-Wave Quantum Stock Rises 4% Despite Q4 Earnings Miss
- Stock Performance: D-Wave Quantum's stock managed to rise 4% last week despite a significant pullback on Friday, indicating market confidence in its future growth amid declines in broader indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
- Earnings Report Analysis: The company's Q4 report, released on February 26, revealed a non-GAAP loss of $0.09 per share on revenue of $2.8 million, missing Wall Street's expectations of a $0.06 loss and $3.7 million in sales, highlighting challenges in profitability.
- Future Outlook: Despite the disappointing Q4 results, D-Wave's guidance for stronger growth in the second half of the year bolstered bullish sentiment, suggesting ongoing interest in the company's potential within the quantum computing sector.
- Market Environment: With geopolitical volatility likely to influence market movements, D-Wave and other quantum stocks could experience significant price swings, necessitating cautious positioning from investors in light of future uncertainties.
See More
MarketBeat Weekly Recap – February 23 to February 27
Market Trends: Investors are shifting from technology stocks to traditional defensive assets like gold, with evidence suggesting a rotation towards blue-chip stocks as tech stocks remain under pressure.
Earnings Reports: Anticipation surrounds upcoming earnings reports, particularly from companies like NVIDIA and PayPal, with analysts highlighting strong performance expectations and potential growth opportunities.
AI Sector: The AI infrastructure trade continues to be a significant market driver, with investors advised to focus on key stocks within the AI supply chain that are expected to perform well.
Investment Opportunities: Analysts recommend looking for undervalued stocks, particularly in the retail sector, as well as identifying potential long-term opportunities amidst market volatility and recent sell-offs.
See More
