Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum Have Created Shockwaves With This $930 Million Warning to Wall Street - The Motley Fool
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Although artificial intelligence has been the hottest trend on Wall Street in recent years, it's not the only game-changing technology that's turning heads and enticing investors to open up their wallets. The advent of quantum computing has definitely intrigued investors. As of mid-October 2025, quantum computing stocks IonQ (IONQ 7.81%), Rigetti Computing (RGTI 7.56%), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS 5.12%) had gained between 670% and 6,217% over the trailing 12-month period. Image source: Getty Images. This overwhelming optimism was fueled by the prospect of big-time investments -- JPMorgan Chase unveiled its $1.5 trillion, 10-year Security and Resiliency Initiative in mid-October -- and early stage collaborations/contract wins. For instance, Amazon has given its customers access (through its Braket service or via Amazon Web Services) to IonQ's, Rigetti's, and D-Wave's quantum computers. Landing Amazon as a client is noteworthy. The projected ceiling for quantum computing is also a big deal. Analysts at Boston Consulting Group believe quantum computers will add $450 billion to $850 billion in global economic value by 2040. Ad Limited-Time Offer: Top Card Now Offers $250 Bonus Our experts' top-rated cash back card just got even better. For a limited time, earn a $250 bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn unlimited cash back and pay 0% intro APR until well into 2027. Don't wait — this offer ends soon. Click here to see the card But amid this flurry of optimism comes a warning from those who know IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum best. IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave send a $930 million shockwave rippling through Wall Street Although the management teams for all three companies are highly optimistic about their respective long-term prospects, Form 4 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) tell a different story. Where to invest $1,000 right now When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is 884%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks › *Stock Advisor returns as of March 30, 2026. By law, insiders (high-ranking executives, board members, and beneficial owners holding at least 10% of outstanding shares) are required to report any trades in their stock, including the exercising of option contracts, to the SEC within two business days of the transaction. According to Form 4 filings, quantum computing insiders can't sell their positions fast enough. CollapseNYSE: IONQIonQToday's Change(-7.81%) $-2.33Current Price$27.51IONQYTD1w1m3m6m1y5yPriceVS S&PKey Data PointsMarket Cap$10BDay's Range$27.38 - $29.6052wk Range$18.81 - $84.64Volume355KAvg Vol21MGross Margin-2267.11% Over the trailing five years, cumulative net selling by insiders has totaled: IonQ: $575.7 million Rigetti Computing: $60.3 million D-Wave Quantum: $294.5 million Collectively, more than $930 million in net stock has been sold since mid-March 2021. The asterisk to the above data is that not all insider selling is inherently bad. Since most public companies pay their executives and board members in common stock and/or options, it's perfectly normal for insiders to sell some of their stake in order to cover their federal or state tax liability. Insider selling for tax purposes shouldn't be concerning for investors. CollapseNASDAQ: RGTIRigetti ComputingToday's Change(-7.56%) $-1.09Current Price$13.32RGTIYTD1w1m3m6m1y5yPriceVS S&PKey Data PointsMarket Cap$4.4BDay's Range$13.21 - $14.3452wk Range$6.86 - $58.15Volume251KAvg Vol30MGross Margin-8613.15% However, this selling activity has also been marked by very little in the way of insider buying. While there are several reasons to sell shares of a public company, not all of which are nefarious, there's only one reason to buy: the belief that shares will head higher. Over the same trailing five-year timeline, insider buys have totaled just $3.35 million for IonQ, $625,000 for Rigetti, and just over $309,000 for D-Wave. If insiders aren't buying, it's possible they don't view their respective stock as a bargain. With quantum computers still years away from being more cost-effective than classical computers, this trio is likely to lose money, burn cash, and trade at exorbitant (and arguably unjustifiable) price-to-sales ratios. Although quantum computing has a bright long-term outlook, shares of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum may have jumped the gun.