Why Rigetti Computing Stock Popped, Then Dropped

Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing's stock experienced significant volatility, initially rising over 10% before stabilizing at a modest increase of about 0.5% [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Rigetti Computing is described as a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing, offering on-premises quantum computing systems with qubit counts ranging from 24 to 84, and is gaining traction in the market [3] - The company has reported substantial capital inflows and an expanding ecosystem, receiving validation from established technology leaders [4] Group 2: Recent Developments - Rigetti announced $5.7 million in sales for two 9-qubit Novera quantum computing systems, which represents approximately 72% of the total sales made in the previous year, achieved in just one day [4] - Analyst David Williams has raised his price target for Rigetti stock to $50 per share, reflecting confidence in the company's future prospects [5][7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Position - Despite the recent sales success, Rigetti's revenue remains small, and the company has not yet turned a profit, with analysts not predicting profitability in the near future [8] - The stock is currently priced at over 1,100 times its sales, indicating a high valuation relative to its revenue [8] Group 4: Investment Considerations - The CEO of Rigetti, Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, noted an increase in demand for on-premises quantum computing systems as the industry matures, but investors should be cautious as the company is still seen as a speculative investment [6][8] - Rigetti Computing was not included in a list of top stock recommendations by The Motley Fool Stock Advisor, which suggests that there may be better investment opportunities available [9]