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What is Quantum Computing?

In a nut shell, the better the computing power, and the more data, the better a model will perform and, as such, the race is on for companies to radically upgrade the computing power of their AI models. That's where "quantum computing" comes in. Check out this video on Quantum Computing: 4 Things You Need to Know.

This article provides an explanation as to what quantum computing (QC) is all about, its merits, and how these 4 companies performed last week, in descending order, and YTD, along with a description of their business focus, and their latest news, commentary and/or analysis.

What Is A Pure Play Company?

A pure play company concentrates all its efforts on a single line of business, and in this context, it’s quantum computing. Notably, those companies that are highly diversified, i.e., do not generate at least 50% of their sales from quantum computing products and services, such as *(Microsoft  (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA),  Alphabet  (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), IBM, Intel (INTC), Honeywell Int'l (HON), Baidu (BIDU) and Micron Technology (MU) are excluded from the new Pure-Play Quantum Computing Portfolio which has replaced the Quantum Computing Hardware Developers Portfolio which contained a number of non-pure play constituents making a comparison of their performances less accurate.

The New Pure-Play Quantum Computing Portfolio

1. D-Wave Quantum (QBTS): UP 19.5% last week; UP 60.2% YTD
   • is the leading provider of QC systems and software with a focus on quantum annealing technology.
   • Market Capitalization: $152M
   • Latest News, Commentary and/or Analysis:
     • D-Wave Extends Agreement with Aramco Europe to Explore Quantum-Powered Optimization of Geophysical Problems
2. Quantum Computing (QUBT): UNCHANGED last week; DOWN 29.7% YTD
   • is an innovative quantum optics and nanophononics technology company developing photonic qubits that offer a number of key advantages over trapped ions or superconducting qubits.
   • Market Capitalization: $65M
   • Latest News, Commentary and/or Analysis:
     • Quantum Computing Inc. Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
3. IonQ (IONQ): DOWN 2.0% last week; DOWN 37.9% YTD
   • develops QC hardware, is the first to have its computing systems available via all the major public cloud services, and plans to build a network of quantum computers accessible via the cloud.
   • Market Capitalization: $1,550M
   • Latest News, Commentary and/or Analysis:
     • IonQ and South Carolina Quantum (SCQ) Launch Faculty & Researcher Quantum Learning Series
4. Rigetti Computing (RGTI): DOWN 2.9% last week; UP 1.0% YTD
   • specializes in superconducting qubit technology and has developed a suite of software tools and algorithms for programming and simulating quantum computations.
   • Market Capitalization: $174M
   • Latest News, Commentary and/or Analysis:
     • Rigetti Computing To Join Russell 3000® Index on July 1st

Summary

On average, the above 4 pure play QC stocks were DOWN 2.1% last week, and are now DOWN 31.0% YTD.

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