Quantum computing stocks have catapulted this year, especially after Dec. 9, when Alphabet Inc.’s GOOG GOOGL Google announced its latest quantum chip, Willow. However, analysts have a negative consensus rating for these stocks.

What Happened: Quantum Computing Inc. stock surged by 52.95% on Thursday and 2,785.39% over the year but Citron Research has called this move the “most ridiculous” citing its spending on research and development.

Stocks of other companies, including Rigetti Computing Inc., and D-Wave Quantum Inc. have soared enormously, whereas other quantum computing players like IONQ Inc. and International Business Machines. have seen modest growth.

Stock5-Day Change1-Month ChangeQuantum Computing Inc. QUBT296.86%911.02%Rigetti Computing Inc. RGTI60.87%716.03%D-Wave Quantum Inc. QBTS108.37%501.34%IONQ Inc. IONQ27.99%34.46%IBM IBM-5.23%4.72%

See Also: Alphabet’s Quantum Willow Chip Wows Analyst: Google At The ‘Leading Edge Of Technology Innovation’

Why It Matters: The funds allocated to research and development as a part of operating expenses were down to $2.24 million in the third quarter of the current fiscal for Quantum Computing. This compares to $2.32 million during the same period last year.

According to Citron, this is a “striking mismatch for a company claiming to offer integrated high-performance quantum systems.”

Small-cap quantum stocks are in a bubble, but $QUBT stands out as the most ridiculous. The numbers tell the story. R&D spending is THE critical indicator in this space: last quarter, $IONQ allocated $33M and $RGTI $12M, modest figures next to tech giants like Google. Yet $QUBT

— Citron Research (@CitronResearch) December 18, 2024

The company was recently awarded a $26,000 contract from NASA. According to the CEO and CIO of the Arora Report, Nigam Arora, “The contract is very small and does not justify the run-up.”

As many of you know, I am a nuclear physicist and engineer. Quantum computing stock $QUBT is being pumped up like crazy on the news of a NASA contract. The contract is very small and does not justify the run up. I have worked with NASA. So, who is buying $QUBT. It is the momo…

— Nigam Arora (@TheAroraReport) December 17, 2024

Quantum computers, using qubits, promise to revolutionize computing by performing complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional computers.

Google’s recent breakthrough with Willow demonstrates the potential of quantum memory as it performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes which currently takes a supercomputer 10 septillion years — a number that vastly exceeds the age of the Universe.

However, high error rates remain a significant challenge, hindering commercial viability and uncertain timelines for widespread adoption.

“Buying $RGTI based on Google’s quantum success is as misguided as believing every TikTok guitarist is the next Taylor Swift,” said Citron Research.

Buying $RGTI based on Google’s quantum success is as misguided as believing every TikTok guitarist is the next Taylor Swift. When the hype fades, investors will recall $RGTI sold equity at $2 just two weeks ago, with more dilution to come rather than true quantum competitiveness.…

— Citron Research (@CitronResearch) December 11, 2024

What Are Other Analysts Saying: According to the analysts tracked by Benzinga, most of these quantum computing companies face a potential downside in the future, with the exception of IBM.

StocksLast Three PT’s AverageUp/Downside PotentialRigetti Computing$3.33 -67.09%Quantum Computing$8.63 -62.77%D-Wave Quantum$4.58 -48.33%IONQ$20.67 -46.04%IBM$226.67 2.66%

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