Quantum Computing Stocks Soar, But Remain Wall Street's Biggest Bubble

Investors should be wary of the hype around these high-flying tech stocks.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:06pm

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An extreme close-up of various quantum computing hardware components, including circuit boards, superconducting wires, and cryogenic cooling systems, captured in a dramatic, cinematic style with heavy textures and dramatic lighting, conveying the complex, physical nature of this emerging technology.The inner workings of quantum computers, a technology with immense potential but also significant challenges, remain a source of intense investor speculation.Boston Today

Quantum computing stocks like IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. have seen massive gains in recent weeks, with some stocks rising over 45% in just two trading sessions. However, experts warn that these stocks remain in a bubble, with unsustainable valuations and an uncertain path to widespread adoption and profitability.

Why it matters

The quantum computing industry represents a potentially massive $850 billion addressable market by 2040, which has fueled intense investor interest and speculation. But the industry is still in its early stages, and the current valuations of these stocks far exceed what their fundamentals can support, raising concerns about a potential bubble bursting.

The details

Quantum computing stocks have surged in recent weeks, with IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, and Quantum Computing rallying between 26% and 45% over the last two trading sessions. This was sparked by AI giant Nvidia hosting a Quantum Day event on April 14th, which put the spotlight back on the industry. However, experts warn that these stocks remain in a bubble, with price-to-sales ratios ranging from 95 to over 2,300 - far exceeding the 30 threshold that has historically proven unsustainable. Additionally, the barrier to entry for larger tech firms could threaten the first-mover advantages of these pure-play quantum computing companies.

  • On April 14, 2026, Nvidia hosted a Quantum Day event.
  • As of mid-October 2025, trailing 12-month returns for quantum computing stocks were as high as 6,217%.

The players

IonQ

A publicly traded quantum computing company.

Rigetti Computing

A publicly traded quantum computing company.

D-Wave Quantum

A publicly traded quantum computing company.

Quantum Computing Inc.

A publicly traded quantum computing company.

Nvidia

An AI titan that hosted a Quantum Day event on April 14, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Though the fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) is likely tugging on investors' heartstrings following two-day gains of 26% to 45%, quantum computing stocks remain rife with red flags.”

— Sean Williams, Author

The takeaway

While the quantum computing industry represents a massive long-term opportunity, the current valuations of these stocks are unsustainable and indicative of a bubble. Investors would be wise to avoid the temptation of chasing these high-flying tech stocks, as a potential bubble burst could lead to significant losses.