IonQ is down 40% from its all-time high, set a few weeks ago.There have been few hotter investments in 2025 than quantum computing stocks. However, that ship seems to have sailed. As the market becomes a bit more risk-averse, the first holdings to be sold are quantum computing stocks. Anyone who started investing in these companies at the beginning of 2025 is up big-time, so taking some gains off the table isn't a bad idea.However, the question that long-term investors are now asking is if now is a good tim ...

Core Insights - IonQ's stock experienced a significant decline of nearly 30% after reaching a record high of $84.64 on October 13, primarily due to valuation concerns in high-growth sectors [1] - Despite a third-quarter earnings miss, IonQ reported year-over-year revenue growth following acquisitions and raised its 2025 guidance [1] - The stock was last seen at $56.91, indicating a potential end to the recent growth flush [1] Financial Performance - IonQ's Q3 revenues increased year-over-year due to the completion of acquisitions of Oxford Ionics and Vector Atomic [1] - The company raised its guidance for 2025, signaling optimism about future performance [1] Technical Analysis - The stock was within 0.75 of the 80-day moving average's 20-day average true range, having remained above this average 80% of the time in recent weeks [2] - Historical data shows that after similar signals, the stock was higher one month later 63% of the time, with an average gain of 17.9% [2] - The 14-Day Relative Strength Index (RSI) has cooled off from overbought levels, indicating potential for recovery [4] Short Interest and Options Activity - Short interest in IonQ declined by 22.6%, but 14.2% of the stock's total float is still sold short, suggesting potential for a short squeeze [4] - The put/call open interest ratio of 1.51 indicates a higher level of pessimism in the options market compared to the past year [5] Volatility and Options Pricing - Options are currently expensive, with a Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 117%, but a post-earnings volatility crush could make premiums more affordable for traders [6]

Core Viewpoint - Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) shares surged by 11% amid broader market gains, driven by JPMorgan Chase's announcement of a $10 billion investment in key industries, including quantum computing, as part of its Security and Resiliency Initiative [1][7]. Company Performance - Quantum Computing Inc. has trailing-12-month sales of less than $300,000 and is operating at a significant loss, indicating that the company's financial performance is weak [3]. - Despite its poor financials, the company's market capitalization exceeds $4.5 billion, suggesting that its valuation may be inflated and driven by market hype rather than fundamentals [4]. Investment Considerations - The company heavily relies on stock sales, which dilute existing shareholders, raising concerns about the sustainability of its valuation [4]. - Analysts from The Motley Fool Stock Advisor have identified ten stocks they believe are better investment opportunities than Quantum Computing, indicating skepticism about the company's potential for significant returns [5][7].

Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing's stock experienced significant gains despite a generally bearish market, indicating strong investor interest and confidence in the company's future prospects [1][4][7] Group 1: Stock Performance - Rigetti Computing's share price increased by 9% during Thursday's trading session, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite's drop of 0.1% [1] - The stock had reached a peak increase of 11.5% before settling lower [1] Group 2: Analyst Coverage and Price Target - Benchmark raised its price target for Rigetti from $20 to $50 per share while maintaining a buy rating, suggesting a potential upside of approximately 6% [4] - Analysts highlighted Rigetti's improving cash position, expanding product portfolio, and support from the broader tech industry as key factors for the price target increase [4] Group 3: Geopolitical Factors - Concerns regarding U.S.-China relations have negatively impacted many stocks, yet Rigetti and other growth-dependent stocks managed to post significant gains [5] - Investors are speculating that advancements in quantum computing could provide competitive advantages in artificial intelligence and cryptography, which may benefit Rigetti [5]

Core Viewpoint - IonQ is a speculative investment in the quantum computing sector, with significant potential for growth but also substantial risks due to its current lack of a viable business model [2][3][6]. Company Overview - IonQ has experienced a remarkable stock increase of 479% over the past year, but its growth has stalled after reaching an all-time high at the beginning of 2025 [2]. - The company currently has a market capitalization of approximately $12 billion, primarily generating revenue from research contracts [5]. Market Potential - The quantum computing market is expected to undergo significant changes by 2030, with IonQ's CEO projecting profitability and sales nearing $1 billion by that year [5]. - By 2035, IonQ anticipates an $87 billion market opportunity, with broader economic value from quantum computing potentially reaching $880 billion by 2040 [5]. Technology Approach - IonQ utilizes trapped ion qubits, which can be created at room temperature and provide more accurate results compared to competitors that use superconducting qubits [7][8]. - While IonQ's processing speeds are not as fast as those of its competitors, the emphasis on accuracy and cost may appeal to future consumers of quantum computing technology [8]. Investment Considerations - Given the high-risk nature of IonQ's stock, it is suggested that investments should be limited to a small portion of a portfolio, ideally no more than 1% [9]. - The potential for IonQ to become a major player in quantum computing is compared to Nvidia's rise in the AI sector, highlighting the transformative possibilities of its technology [9].

Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing's stock is experiencing a significant decline due to disappointing Q2 earnings and broader economic concerns affecting investor sentiment [1][2][5]. Financial Performance - Rigetti reported Q2 revenue of $1.8 million, which is a decrease of nearly 42% year-over-year [2]. - The company's net income fell nearly 220%, resulting in a loss of approximately $40 million for the quarter [2][3]. Market Valuation - Despite the poor financial performance, Rigetti's market capitalization remains close to $5 billion, indicating a substantial disconnect between its financials and market valuation [3]. Economic Context - Recent economic data, including a slowing job market and higher-than-expected inflation, is contributing to the decline of riskier stocks like Rigetti [5]. - Investors are increasingly cautious as macroeconomic conditions worsen, leading to a sell-off in high-risk investments [1][5]. Technological Outlook - Although Rigetti provided some positive updates regarding its operational and technological advancements, the industry may still be years or decades away from achieving viable quantum computing solutions [6].

Group 1 - Rigetti Computing, Inc. has shown clear progress in its technology following the release of Q2 2025 earnings [1] - The company operates a "full-stack" setup, which is significant for its quantum computing capabilities [1] Group 2 - The focus of the research is primarily on small- to mid-cap companies, which are often overlooked by investors [1] - Occasionally, larger-cap companies are analyzed to provide a broader perspective on equity markets [1]

Group 1: Company Overview - D-Wave Quantum is experiencing significant growth, with its stock price more than doubling in 2025 due to rising interest in quantum computing [1] - The company has established itself as a leader in quantum computing, providing technology that is already being utilized by major clients such as Ford Otosan, Accenture, BASF, Lockheed Martin, Mastercard, and Pattison Food Group [2] - D-Wave's revenue increased by 509% year over year in Q1 2025, indicating strong momentum as new Advantage systems are sold and more use cases are identified [3] Group 2: Financial Position - D-Wave Quantum reported a cash balance of $304.3 billion at the end of Q1, which management believes is sufficient to fund operations until the company reaches profitability [4] Group 3: Market Opportunity - The quantum computing market is projected to reach $198 billion by 2040, presenting a substantial growth opportunity for D-Wave Quantum [3] Group 4: Challenges and Risks - D-Wave Quantum remains unprofitable, which raises concerns about the need for potential dilutive stock offerings to raise additional capital [5] - The company's high price-to-sales ratio of over 192 makes it difficult to justify its valuation unless growth continues at a rapid pace [6] - D-Wave faces intense competition from smaller players like IonQ, Quantum Computing Inc., and Rigetti Computing, as well as from tech giants such as Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft [7] - There are uncertainties regarding the technological feasibility of quantum computing, which could delay the realization of its potential and impact the current momentum in the sector [8]

Group 1: Carvana - Carvana has shown significant recovery after a debt restructuring in 2023, increasing total retail units sold and improving per-vehicle gross profit while reducing per-vehicle expenses [3][4] - The company aims to sell 3 million retail vehicles annually within 5 to 10 years, requiring a sixfold increase in its current retail unit annual run rate [4] - Carvana's current stock valuation is around 110 times earnings, which are inflated by gains on certain warrants, necessitating substantial growth in unit sales and profit margins to justify this valuation [5][6] - The used car market is cyclical and sensitive to economic conditions, raising concerns about Carvana's aggressive financing strategies, which could lead to vulnerabilities in an economic downturn [6][7] Group 2: IonQ - IonQ operates in the speculative quantum computing sector, which is seen as a potential future technology but faces significant competition from established players like IBM and Alphabet [8][9] - Commercially viable quantum computing systems are estimated to be four to five years away, with IonQ needing to survive until the technology matures [9] - IonQ recently announced a $1 billion equity offering, providing financial resources despite reporting a free cash flow loss of nearly $130 million in 2024 and a net loss of $332 million [10] - With only $43 million in revenue last year and a market capitalization exceeding $12 billion, IonQ represents a high-risk investment in the quantum computing space [11]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street is increasingly optimistic about Rigetti Computing, a leader in quantum computing, as recent strategic and financial moves have improved its outlook significantly [2][3][11] Financial Health - Rigetti completed a $350 million stock offering in June 2025, enhancing its cash position to approximately $575 million with no debt [4][11] - This financial strength provides a long operational runway, allowing the company to focus on technology development without immediate fundraising pressures [5][13] Analyst Ratings - Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Rigetti with an Overweight rating and a price target of $15.00, joining at least five other firms with a unified Buy rating [2][3] - The average 12-month price target from analysts is $14.20, indicating potential upside from the current price [3] Strategic Partnerships - Rigetti is building a robust ecosystem of partnerships, including a foundational manufacturing collaboration with Quanta Computer to tackle complex quantum systems [6] - The company is involved in significant projects like the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking initiative and is leading efforts to advance quantum error correction in the UK [7][8] Market Position - Despite a short interest of approximately 20%, indicating some bearish sentiment, the strong analyst consensus and institutional investment inflows counter this view [9][10] - Rigetti's strategic ecosystem and partnerships provide a credible roadmap for commercialization, positioning the company favorably for long-term success [10][11]