Are Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum Wall Street's Most Dangerous Investment? History Says Yes.

Core Insights - The long-term prospects for quantum computing are promising, but historical trends indicate that early-stage innovations often face significant challenges [1][4][10] - Recent stock performance of quantum computing companies has been extraordinary, with IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing, Inc. experiencing substantial price increases over the past year [2][12] - Despite the potential of quantum computing, current valuations of these companies are unsustainable based on historical price-to-sales ratios [13][14] Industry Overview - Quantum computing is expected to create significant economic value, with estimates ranging from $450 billion to $1 trillion by 2040 [5][6] - The technology has applications across various sectors, including AI, pharmaceuticals, weather forecasting, and cybersecurity [9] Company Performance - The stock prices of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing, Inc. have surged by 570%, 6,590%, 4,340%, and 2,830% respectively over the trailing 12 months [2] - Current price-to-sales ratios for these companies are extraordinarily high, with IonQ at 316, Rigetti at 1,803, D-Wave at 515, and Quantum Computing, Inc. at 10,005 [15] Historical Context - Historical patterns show that many technological innovations have gone through bubble phases, leading to eventual corrections [10][11] - The current market behavior suggests that investors may be overestimating the early adoption and utility of quantum computing technologies [12][13]