Quantum computing stocks have been on a wild ride over the past few months. Yet, this optimism faded as 2025 began, with the Nvidia CEO’s pessimistic market projections sending shockwaves through the sector and causing the largest players to lose billions in stock value.
In late 2024, their prices skyrocketed, driven by the surging demand for generative AI applications and breakthroughs, such as Google’s revolutionary chip, capable of solving complex problems at lightning speed.
However, according to data compiled by AltIndex.com, the combined stock value of the five largest quantum computing stocks plummeted by nearly $11 bln in just nine days, from January 4 to 13.
Rigetti sank 53%, biggest drop in the group
Ever since revealing how much it expects to profit from the rise of artificial intelligence in 2023, Nvidia has been at the frontline of the AI-fueled stock market rally that pushed the S&P 500 to historic highs.
But the world’s most valuable chipmaker isn’t just a leader in AI and GPUs. Nvidia has become a tech powerhouse whose every move sends ripples across the tech sector, and the quantum stocks are the perfect example.
After Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed doubts about the near-term potential of quantum computing earlier this month, the stocks of the largest players in the market took a nosedive, losing billions in value practically overnight.
In the four days following Huang’s remarks, leading companies like IBM, Rigetti Computing (RGTI), D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), Quantum Computing (QUBT) and IonQ (IONQ) collectively lost $8 bln in stock value. By January 13, their loss ballooned to a shocking $10.9 bln, with stock prices dropping between 30% and 50%.
Statistics show Rigetti suffered the biggest hit, with its stock value plummeting by 53% in nine days, causing a $2.8 bln hit on the company. AltIndex data showed that sentiment around the company also took a nosedive, with its score on top investor fora dropping from a robust 82 at the start of January to just 57.
Quantum Computing came in second, losing $1.1 bln or 48% of its stock value in this period. While D-Wave Quantum and IonQ both saw around 30% stock value declines, their losses varying significantly, standing at $910 mln and $3.3 bln, respectively.
Investor sentiment, AI scores dipped
Although rapid sentiment shifts, driven by technological advancements and expert predictions, are quite often in the quantum computing sector, the impact of Nvidia’s recent remarks has been devastating.
According to the AltIndex platform, which monitors unconventional data sources like social media sentiment, Reddit mentions, Google trends, and more, each of the top ten quantum stocks has seen its sentiment score dip over the past two weeks.
SEALSQ Corp (LAES) led the negative trend, with its AI score plunging by 42% and falling to 54 out of 100 points. D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing follow with around a 33% drop each. Although Quantum Computing also saw a significant 27% plunge, the company still holds the highest AI score among quantum stocks at 78 points. Teradyne (TER) is on the other side of the list, with the lowest AI score of 52 points.