Should You Buy Rigetti Computing After Its 3,800% Rally Over the Past Year?

Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing has experienced a remarkable increase in stock value, rising approximately 3,800% over the past year, although it has recently seen a pullback of over 20% from its all-time high [1][2]. Company Overview - Rigetti Computing is a pure-play quantum computing company focused solely on developing and selling quantum computers [4]. - The company recently sold two quantum computers for a total of $5.7 million, indicating its competitive position in the market as these clients vetted multiple options before choosing Rigetti [8][9]. Market Potential - The quantum computing market is projected to have an annual value between $1 billion and $2 billion before 2030, increasing to between $15 billion and $30 billion from 2030 to 2040 [11]. - If Rigetti captures a 25% market share of the projected $30 billion market by 2030, it could generate $7.5 billion in annual sales, leading to potential profits of approximately $2.25 billion [12]. Competitive Landscape - Rigetti is not the only player in the quantum computing space; it faces competition from other pure-play companies and established tech firms with significant resources [6]. - The industry is characterized by high competition, which may lead to some companies failing to survive until the technology becomes commercially viable [6]. Investment Considerations - The company’s first-mover advantage in capturing early market share is crucial, as switching costs for clients may be high once they invest in a quantum computing system [10]. - The stock has the potential for significant growth, with projections suggesting it could rise nearly 500% if the market conditions align favorably [12].