Mind you, just because Powell has an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence the U.S. economy, it doesn't mean he can pinpoint directional moves in stocks. Back in December 1996, former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan delivered his now-famous "irrational exuberance" speech to describe a red-hot stock market fueled by internet mania, only to see stocks rally for more than three years following his speech.In September, while delivering a speech in Rhode Island, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell weighe ...

RT Helius (@heliuslabs)Will quantum computing break Solana?How would the protocol need to change in a post-quantum world?Find out in our latest guest blog post from @PospisilAdam https://t.co/Hu3iXCc8VO ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the significant investments made by billionaires in AI stocks, particularly highlighting Alphabet and Nvidia as the most popular choices among them [1][5]. Investment Trends - In Q3 2025, many billionaires invested in AI stocks, with notable mentions including Broadcom, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft, although they did not rank at the top [2][4]. - Half of the billionaires surveyed purchased either Alphabet or Nvidia stocks during the same quarter [5]. Company-Specific Developments - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, initiated a significant new position in Alphabet, a move that had been anticipated since Buffett expressed regret for not investing earlier [6][8]. - Tudor Investment hedge fund and Duquesne Family Office also initiated new positions in Broadcom and Meta, indicating a broader interest in these companies [3][4]. Performance Metrics - Alphabet's market cap stands at $3,877 billion, with a gross margin of 59.18% and a dividend yield of 0.26% [7][8]. - Nvidia has a market cap of $4,433 billion, with a gross margin of 70.05% and a dividend yield of 0.03% [10]. Strategic Advantages - Alphabet is positioned to benefit from key technology trends, particularly in AI, with its Google Cloud and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) potentially challenging Nvidia's GPUs [12][13]. - Nvidia continues to innovate in AI chip technology and plays a crucial role in the autonomous vehicle market, enhancing its competitive edge [13].

Group 1 - D-Wave Quantum Inc. has seen a significant stock price increase of 27% in the first four trading days of the month, with a 14.55% jump on Thursday, closing at $28.73 [1][2] - The recent rally is attributed to the formation of a new business unit focused on promoting quantum computing products and services for the US government, led by Jack Sears Jr. [2][4] - CEO Alan Baratz emphasized the growing need for quantum technologies to address complex national challenges, highlighting the importance of this new business unit in developing applications for national security and defense [3][4] Group 2 - The establishment of the government-focused business unit aims to facilitate rapid development of quantum applications to tackle infrastructure challenges [4]

Group 1 - Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:RGTI) experienced a significant stock price increase of 15.44%, closing at $30.06, driven by optimism surrounding a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve [1][4] - The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a 25-basis-point rate cut on December 10, which could benefit capital-intensive sectors like quantum computing [2] - Despite a widened net loss of 1,257% to $200.97 million and an 18% drop in revenues to $1.9 million in Q3, Rigetti reported strong demand for its quantum computers and ongoing R&D collaborations [2][3] Group 2 - Rigetti is on track to deploy a 150+ qubit system by the end of 2026 with a median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.7%, and a 1,000+ qubit system by 2027 with a fidelity of 99.8% [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Microsoft reported record-breaking financial results for FY25, with revenue growing 15% to over $281 billion, operating income increasing 17%, and earnings per share rising 16% [35][41] - The company returned a total of $37.7 billion in cash to shareholders, marking a 10% increase from the previous fiscal year [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Microsoft Cloud business revenue surpassed $168 billion, growing 23% year over year, with Azure revenue growing 34% to over $75 billion [36] - Microsoft 365 Commercial Cloud revenue grew 15%, while Dynamics 365 revenue increased by 19% [36] - The Microsoft 365 business exceeded $95 billion, up 14% year over year, with a consumer subscription base growing to 89 million [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - LinkedIn revenue surpassed $17 billion, with membership growing to 1.2 billion professionals, marking four consecutive years of double-digit member growth [38] - Gaming revenue exceeded $23 billion, with Game Pass revenue reaching nearly $5 billion for the first time [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Microsoft is focused on three core business priorities: security, quality, and AI innovation, with significant investments in AI infrastructure and solutions [41][42] - The company is building a planet-scale cloud and AI factory, with over 400 data centers across 70 regions [42] - Microsoft aims to lead in AI by integrating AI capabilities across its platforms and services, including the introduction of Copilot features in various applications [44][46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth momentum and emphasized the importance of innovation in AI and security [41][39] - The company anticipates continued demand for its cloud services and AI solutions, projecting strong revenue growth in the upcoming fiscal year [39] Other Important Information - The board of directors nominated John David Rainey for election, who is the Executive Vice President and CFO of Walmart [5] - Shareholders approved all management proposals, including executive compensation and the ratification of Deloitte & Touche as the independent auditor [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key risks associated with Microsoft's AI initiatives? - Management highlighted the importance of transparency and responsible AI deployment, acknowledging the potential risks of bias and misuse in AI technologies [32][19] Question: How is Microsoft addressing shareholder concerns regarding human rights and AI? - The company stated its commitment to human rights due diligence and ongoing assessments to prevent misuse of its technologies [32][25] Question: What steps is Microsoft taking to ensure its technology aligns with climate goals? - Management acknowledged the need for transparency regarding the environmental impact of its technologies and committed to addressing these concerns in future disclosures [30][29]

Core Insights - The US economy showed resilience in Q3 2025, with growth driven by high-end consumer spending and significant investments in artificial intelligence [1] - White Brook Capital's Small Cap Absolute Growth Strategy model portfolio exceeded expectations in its first year, while value-oriented stocks underperformed [1] - The All-Cap Portfolio shifted focus to growth companies but remains overweight in value, leading to disappointing performance [1] Company Highlights - Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ:RGTI) is involved in building quantum computers and superconducting quantum processors [2] - Rigetti's one-month return was -10.99%, but it gained 586.30% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $30.06 per share with a market capitalization of $9.921 billion on December 04, 2025 [2] - The company is generating $3 million in quarterly sales but has over $15 million in quarterly losses, resulting in an elevated market capitalization of $18 billion, indicating a significant multiple of forward revenue estimates [3]

Core Insights - Wall Street analysts are projecting significant upside for quantum computing stocks, with some estimates suggesting gains of up to 264% by 2026, despite concerns about the realism of these targets [3][5][6] Group 1: Market Performance - Over the past year, quantum computing stocks such as IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. have seen substantial gains, with Rigetti's peak increase reaching nearly 5,400% [2] - As of December 2, IonQ's stock closed below $47, while Rigetti's and D-Wave's stocks closed at levels that suggest potential increases of 113% and 114% respectively [4][5] Group 2: Analyst Projections - Analysts from B. Riley Securities and Needham have set price targets for IonQ and Rigetti at $100 and $51 respectively, indicating significant upside potential based on their current prices [4] - Ascendiant analyst Edward Woo has the most optimistic projection for Quantum Computing Inc., forecasting a 264% increase to $40 per share [5] Group 3: Industry Potential - The Boston Consulting Group estimates that quantum computing could generate up to $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, highlighting its long-term potential [6] - The technology is expected to take time to mature, similar to past innovations like the internet, which required years for businesses to fully leverage [8] Group 4: Financial Concerns - All four quantum computing companies are currently unprofitable and experiencing significant cash burn, raising concerns about their financial sustainability [10][15] - The price-to-sales (P/S) ratios for these companies are alarmingly high, with IonQ at 146 and Quantum Computing Inc. at nearly 2,900, indicating potential overvaluation and a bubble risk [12] Group 5: Competitive Landscape - The emergence of large tech companies, referred to as the "Magnificent Seven," poses a threat to the market share of smaller quantum computing firms, as these companies have the resources to develop their own quantum technologies [14][15]

Core Insights - Quantum computing is emerging as a significant investment opportunity alongside artificial intelligence, with companies focusing on this technology seeing substantial stock price increases [1][4] - IonQ has experienced an 800% stock price increase over the past three years, driven by its trapped-ion computing method, which offers longer functionality and higher accuracy [2] - Despite IonQ's impressive revenue growth of 222% in the most recent quarter, it remains unprofitable, indicating that practical applications of quantum technology may take time to materialize [2][5] Company Analysis - Alphabet is highlighted as a more stable investment option compared to IonQ, as it has established revenue streams from its advertising and Google Cloud businesses, which are already generating significant profits [3][5] - Alphabet's market capitalization stands at $3,833 billion, with a current stock price of $317.22, reflecting a gross margin of 59.18% and a dividend yield of 0.26% [7] - The company is actively developing quantum computing technology, having announced its quantum chip, Willow, which has achieved key milestones in error reduction and computational speed [7] Investment Rationale - Investing in Alphabet provides exposure to potential growth in quantum computing while benefiting from the security of a well-established company with a proven business model [8] - The complexity and challenges of quantum computing suggest that while the technology holds promise, its full realization may not be imminent, making companies like Alphabet more attractive for investors seeking stability [5]

Core Insights - Quantum computing is anticipated to be a transformative technology trend in the coming decade, with significant implications for artificial intelligence and cryptography [1] - D-Wave Quantum is highlighted as a leading investment opportunity within the quantum computing sector, despite the speculative nature of the technology [2] Company Overview - D-Wave Quantum is recognized as a promising pure-play in the quantum computing market, but investing in such companies carries a high level of risk [3] - The company's revenue for Q3 was reported at $3.7 million, a substantial increase from $1.9 million in the same quarter the previous year, while the bottom-line loss rose to $140 million, an increase of $117.3 million from the prior year [4] Financial Metrics - D-Wave has a market capitalization of approximately $9 billion, with a current stock price of $3.65, reflecting a valuation of about 309 times this year's expected sales [6] - The company has a gross margin of 82.82%, indicating strong potential for profitability in the long term [6] Competitive Landscape - D-Wave faces competition from major technology companies such as Alphabet, Microsoft, and Nvidia, which could impact its market position if they achieve superior advancements in quantum technology [7] Investment Considerations - D-Wave is characterized as a high-risk investment with the potential for significant returns if the company achieves breakthroughs in quantum computing [8] - The stock is suggested to be suitable primarily for investors with a high risk tolerance, as it could yield substantial returns if D-Wave maintains its leadership in the quantum tech space [8]