Why Rigetti Computing Stock Popped Today

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Shares of the somewhat enigmatic quantum computing firm Rigetti Computing (RGTI) experienced a curious surge of 20% in early trading on Friday, before promptly giving back about half of those gains-because, well, that’s what stock prices do when no one is really paying attention, or perhaps when everyone is paying far too much attention. It’s almost as if stocks were an intergalactic shuttle, but the flight plan is written on napkins and the pilot has a very “who knows?” attitude about things.

As of 11:20 a.m. ET, Rigetti stock was still up 12%. But don’t go ordering any celebratory snacks just yet, because such prices tend to resemble fireworks: bright, beautiful, and fleeting.

Introducing Rigetti Computing

Rigetti likes to describe itself as “a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing,” a statement that may evoke images of daring explorers braving uncharted galaxies of binary code and entangled qubits. In practice, however, it’s more like a startup with the audacity to sell quantum computing systems with qubit counts between 24 and 84. Yes, that’s right. Qubits. Those magical, mystical bits that don’t quite know if they’re on or off, but promise to change the world-or, at least, the way we think about encryption and cryptography. As they say in the biz, “Just wait until it works.”

Now, this “pioneering” thing comes with both the thrill of blazing a trail and the danger of accidentally stumbling into a cactus. On the one hand, investors are treated to the exhilarating possibility of getting in on the ground floor of a potentially world-altering technology. On the other hand, they’re investing in a company that has yet to find a consistent source of income and is currently working with a shrinking revenue stream. After all, Rigetti has been bleeding revenue for three years straight-a bit like trying to paddle upstream with a leaky canoe. A leaky canoe that’s also on fire. But don’t worry, the fires of optimism are always burning, and hey, that’s all part of the fun.

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Is Rigetti Stock a Buy?

Now, if you’re sitting there thinking, “This sounds like a surefire path to early retirement,” you might want to take a deep breath. Analysts (those lovable fortune tellers of the financial world) predict that Rigetti won’t turn a profit until 2031 at the earliest. Yes, you read that correctly. 2031. This is not a typo, but an actual forecast. If you’re a fan of slow, inevitable progress, this might be your thing. But let’s not sugar-coat this: Rigetti could very well run out of money before it ever reaches profitability, which-let’s face it-would put a serious damper on the whole “groundbreaking quantum future” thing.

Currently, Rigetti’s got $425 million in the bank, which sounds impressive until you realize they’re burning through $65 million a year like someone who discovered credit cards and refuses to look at the bill. Fortunately, this cash runway should last until 2031-unless, of course, it doesn’t. Investors should be braced for a dramatic rollercoaster ride, where the stock price will likely fluctuate with the rhythms of market hype, technological breakthroughs (or the lack thereof), and general momentum. As with any good rollercoaster, don’t expect any refunds.

And so, as you contemplate the possibility of making a profitable bet on Rigetti, remember this: sometimes the greatest discoveries are made by those with an almost religious faith in the improbable. But be cautious, for the universe tends to be as merciless as it is vast, and it has been known to swallow up a good number of quantum pioneers without so much as a polite “goodbye.”

In the meantime, stock prices will likely continue to experience more dramatic changes, which, if nothing else, provides excellent material for cocktail party chatter. And remember, in the world of quantum computing, much like in the world of investing, certainty is a myth. All you can do is fasten your seatbelt, cross your fingers, and hope the whole thing doesn’t collapse into a singularity.

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2025-09-12 19:17