Institutional Investors and Hedge Funds Sent an Unmistakable Message to Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum
The Motley Fool·2026-02-25 10:06

Core Insights - The latest Form 13F filings indicate a decline in institutional investor confidence in quantum computing stocks, specifically IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum [4][12][19] Industry Overview - Quantum computing is viewed as a potential trillion-dollar opportunity, with estimates suggesting it could generate $450 billion to $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, and possibly reach $1 trillion by 2035 [5][6] - The technology has promising applications, including AI algorithm training, cybersecurity improvements, and drug development simulations [6] Company Performance - Quantum computing stocks have shown impressive trailing 12-month (TTM) returns, with Rigetti Computing achieving over 6,200% TTM gain as of mid-October [2] - Despite early-stage wins and partnerships, such as Amazon's Braket service, institutional investors are pulling back from these stocks [7][9] Investment Trends - Institutional ownership in IonQ decreased from 57.35% to 54.71%, Rigetti from 50.71% to 48.45%, and D-Wave from 53.94% to 48.76% [12] - The aggregate number of shares held by 13F filers rose for IonQ but fell for Rigetti and D-Wave, indicating a complex investment landscape [14] Market Sentiment - The current market sentiment suggests that quantum computing stocks may be overvalued, with TTM price-to-sales ratios above 30 indicating potential bubble conditions [18] - Historical trends show that transformative technologies often face bubble-bursting events due to overestimation of adoption rates [16]