Quantum Computing Stocks: IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave - Wall Street’s Riskiest Bet? History Screams Yes
Quantum computing stocks are flashing danger signs that seasoned investors recognize all too well.
The Hype Versus Reality Gap
IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum represent the bleeding edge of computational technology - and potentially the bleeding edge of investor portfolios. These companies promise to revolutionize everything from drug discovery to financial modeling, but deliver mostly red ink and speculative frenzy.
Patterns Don't Lie
Market history reveals a brutal truth about emerging technology stocks. The road to quantum supremacy is paved with bankrupt predecessors and shattered investor dreams. Remember the dot-com bubble? The genomics boom? The pattern repeats with mathematical precision.
Quantum Volatility, Classic Problems
While these stocks might quantum tunnel through traditional valuation metrics, they can't escape basic market physics. Extreme price swings, cash burn rates that would make a crypto bro blush, and revenue projections that exist mostly in theoretical space.
Wall Street's latest 'moonshot' plays look suspiciously like groundhog day for anyone who lived through previous tech manias. Because nothing says solid investment like betting on technology that might not work for another decade - if ever.
Rivian may soon become the most exciting EV stock
This year,announced its robotaxi division, which began service in Austin, Texas, earlier this summer.followed up with a $300 million deal withthat will have it supply Uber with thousands of Lucid vehicles to power that company's robotaxi service. Shares for all three companies popped on the news.
(RIVN 1.20%), meanwhile, had very little to announce this year. Despite a few refreshes to its two current models, its product lineup has been the same since 2022.
This has led to flat revenue. In early 2024, trailing revenue totaled just above $5 billion. In late 2025, it remains just above $5 billion.
Inside a Rivian factory. Image source: Getty Images.
This dynamic could change on Nov. 4 when Rivian announces its next quarterly earnings. Three new models -- the R2, R3, and R3X -- are expected to begin production next year.
The R2 will be the first to begin production fairly early in the year. That means this could be the last quarterly announcement before growth picks up once again due to an expanded lineup complete with vehicles priced under $50,000.
Rivian has been a "boring" stock for nearly two years, with minimal meaningful catalysts. In just a few weeks, however, we could receive an update from management that ramps up excitement considerably.
