Rigetti Computing Stays The Course In Push For Quantum Advantage

Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing, Inc. reported second-quarter results with losses of 13 cents per share, missing analyst expectations of 6 cents, and revenue of $1.8 million, below the consensus estimate of $1.88 million, and down from $3.086 million year-over-year [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Quarterly losses were reported at 13 cents per share, missing the analyst consensus estimate of 6 cents [1] - Revenue for the quarter was $1.8 million, which fell short of the analyst consensus estimate of $1.88 million and decreased from $3.086 million in the same period last year [1] Group 2: Analyst Outlook - Despite the financial miss, Wall Street analysts maintained a bullish outlook, citing progress on Rigetti's technology roadmap [2] - Analyst N. Quinn Bolton reiterated a Buy rating with a price forecast of $18, highlighting that Rigetti met its mid-year goal with a four-chiplet, 36-qubit QPU achieving 99.5% median two-qubit fidelity [3][4] - Analyst David Williams also reiterated a Buy rating, raising the price forecast to $20 from $14, noting that Rigetti is on track to deliver a 100-qubit, multi-chiplet QPU with 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity by year-end [7][8] Group 3: Technological Advancements - Rigetti's four-chiplet, 36-qubit QPU reached a median two-qubit fidelity of 99.5%, strengthening management's confidence in delivering a >100-qubit system by year-end [4] - The company is positioned to benefit from advancements in quantum computing, with expectations to scale qubit count to the hundreds and improve fidelity to 99.9% by 2026 [6] - Rigetti's roadmap includes a target of a 1,000+-qubit system with 99.9% fidelity and built-in error correction, with a timeline of three to four years to reach that threshold [9][10] Group 4: Financial Position - Rigetti increased cash reserves by $350 million to approximately $570 million during the period, which is deemed sufficient for continued investment through commercialization [10] - The company’s long-term objective is to achieve a 1,000-qubit system targeting 99.9% fidelity, enabled by advancements in cabling, cryogenics, and chiplet density [10]