2 Pure-Play Quantum Computing Stocks That Can Plunge Up to 62%, According to Select Wall Street Analysts

Core Insights - Investors are showing significant interest in quantum computing, which is seen as a transformative technology alongside artificial intelligence [1][2] - IonQ and Rigetti Computing have experienced extraordinary stock performance, with returns of 712% and 5,940% respectively over the past year [3] - Analysts express skepticism regarding the sustainability of these stock prices, with potential declines of up to 62% predicted for both companies [10][12] Company Performance - IonQ and Rigetti Computing have market capitalizations of $25.5 billion and $15.3 billion respectively [4] - The practical applications of quantum computing, such as accelerating drug discovery and enhancing AI capabilities, are driving investor excitement [5][6] - Partnerships with major companies, like Amazon, have further elevated the profiles of IonQ and Rigetti [8] Analyst Perspectives - Morgan Stanley's Joseph Moore set a price target of $32 for IonQ, indicating a potential 59% decline from current levels [11] - Cantor Fitzgerald's Troy Jensen raised Rigetti's price target to $18, suggesting a possible 62% downside from its current price above $47 [12] - Both analysts highlight concerns about the slow adoption of quantum computing technology and the historical tendency for investors to overestimate early-stage innovations [14][15] Market Valuation - IonQ and Rigetti Computing have extremely high price-to-sales (P/S) ratios of 337 and 1,506, respectively, which are unsustainable compared to historical norms [16] - The potential entry of larger companies into the quantum computing space could further pressure the stock prices of these smaller firms [17]