Monday's tech sector meltdown, triggered by DeepSeek's AI breakthrough, caused collateral damage to share prices in the quantum computing space. When Nvidia plunged by 17% on fears that future AI models might require far fewer premium chips to train and operate than expected, a shock wave rippled through adjacent technology sub-sectors, dragging down several promising quantum computing stocks despite their distinct technological foundations.
The market's indiscriminate selling ignored the fact that quantum computing's approach fundamentally differs from systems that use traditional AI processors, suggesting this pullback may offer a unique entry point for investors seeking exposure to the next frontier of computing innovation. Here are three quantum computing stocks I plan to buy on the dip.
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Leading the way in quantum computing hardware
The DeepSeek news dragged Rigetti Computing (RGTI -2.84%) shares down by 5.7% Monday, creating a more attractive entry point into one of quantum computing's most promising hardware innovators. The recent launch of its 84-qubit Ankaa-3 system, which achieved 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity, demonstrated its technological leadership in superconducting quantum computers.
What excites me about Rigetti is its strong financial position and clear technological roadmap. With $225 million in cash and no debt, the company is well funded to execute its ambitious plans. Its next-generation system, which is expected to debut by the end of 2025, aims to deliver over 100 qubits with significantly reduced error rates. Given its in-house quantum foundry and its partnerships with major cloud providers like Amazon and Microsoft, I see this pullback as an opportunity to invest in a quantum computing leader at a discount.
The first mover in commercial applications
IonQ (IONQ -1.85%) is quantum computing's current commercial leader, but the market's panic pushed its shares down by 5.5% on Monday. Unlike traditional computing companies, which will be affected by AI chip concerns, IonQ is pioneering an entirely different approach using trapped ions -- a technology that positions it uniquely for both quantum computing and quantum networking applications.
What draws me to IonQ is its clear path to commercialization and its strong track record of execution. The company has already achieved #AQ 36 (algorithmic qubits) with its Forte Enterprise system, and it's on track to reach #AQ 64 with Tempo in 2025, followed by #AQ 256 in its next-generation system. With partnerships across the landscape of tech giants and a path to nearly $1 billion in sales by 2030, IonQ is positioned to capitalize on quantum computing's potential to revolutionize AI and secure communications well before its competitors.
The quantum computing veteran is showing results
As Wall Street's panic rippled through tech stocks Monday, D-Wave Quantum (QBTS 2.17%) found itself caught in the downdraft, tumbling by 8.4% despite having little exposure to the AI chip concerns. Unlike both traditional AI chipmakers and other quantum companies, D-Wave has already achieved significant scale with its quantum annealing technology, boasting the world's largest quantum computer at more than 5,000 qubits.
What makes D-Wave particularly attractive right now is its accelerating commercial momentum. The company just reported 120% bookings growth to $23 million for its fiscal 2024, including its first-ever sale of an on-premises system. With $178 million in cash on its books and growing demand for quantum solutions to address AI's escalating power consumption challenges, I believe D-Wave offers a unique opportunity to invest in quantum computing's present, not just its future.
Time to buy
While Wall Street obsesses over near-term demand for AI chips, I'm taking advantage of this indiscriminate sell-off to build positions in quantum computing's most promising players. Each of these companies brings something unique to the table: Rigetti's superconducting prowess and ambitious roadmap, IonQ's trapped-ion technology and its clear path to revenue growth, and D-Wave's proven quantum annealing systems that are already solving real-world problems.
With strong cash positions and multiple paths to commercialization, these three companies offer investors different ways to profit from quantum computing's inevitable rise. The market's temporary confusion has created an unexpected opportunity to buy into quantum computing's future at a discount.
