ZACKS·2025-12-24 18:30Industry Overview - Quantum computing is attracting investor interest due to its potential for significant commercial disruption and long-term technological ambition [1] - The industry is in early stages, but progress in optimization, simulation, and advanced analytics is becoming clearer [1] Company Strategies - Rigetti Computing focuses on superconducting, gate-based quantum processors and aims for fault-tolerant systems through a modular "chiplet" approach [5][10] - IonQ utilizes trapped-ion technology, emphasizing qubit quality and customer traction, with a clearer commercialization narrative [6][12] Price Performance - Rigetti's stock has increased by 118.3% over the past six months, while IonQ's stock has risen by 25.7% during the same period [3] Business Models - Rigetti's revenue model is heavily reliant on research-driven customers, including government agencies and early enterprise pilots, which may not stabilize revenue [8] - IonQ is focusing on commercialization by making its systems accessible through cloud platforms, allowing for a monetization strategy based on customer usage [9] Growth Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year decline of 26.88%, with a projected loss per share of 68 cents [14] - In contrast, IonQ's 2025 sales are expected to grow by 151.78%, with a projected loss per share of $5.08 [17] Investment Considerations - Rigetti is seen as a longer-term investment focused on hardware scalability, while IonQ offers a more immediate path to usability and customer adoption [13][22] - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a Value Score of F, indicating that their stocks are priced based on future potential rather than current fundamentals [20]