Latest news with #Nvidia
Business Insider
31 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Insider
‘Don't Bet the Farm,' Says Analyst About Quantum Computing Stock (QUBT)
Just months after suggesting that the widespread adoption of quantum computing was still '15 to 20 years away,' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang offered a much more optimistic outlook, sparking a rally in speculative quantum stocks, such as Quantum Computing, Inc. (QUBT). The tech pioneer is up 8.5% so far this week, with bullish sentiment at its peak. Confident Investing Starts Here: However, a deeper look reveals significant concerns about QUBT's financial position. And while the industry is making progress, scaling quantum systems to tackle real-world problems remains a massive challenge, particularly for a company of QUBT's size. Despite the broader enthusiasm for 'lifting all boats' in the sector, I remain bearish on QUBT. The Nvidia Effect: A CEO's Shifting Narrative Being the CEO of a major tech company comes with significant influence—something Nvidia's Jensen Huang demonstrated at the GTC Paris developer conference when he declared that 'quantum computing is reaching an inflection point.' While his remarks centered on Nvidia's own innovations—like CUDA-Q, which aims to integrate quantum capabilities with classical systems—his optimism could have ripple effects across the sector. Nvidia backed its words with action in March 2025 by launching a new quantum computing research lab in Boston, reinforcing its leadership in the space. Huang's bullish tone may inspire increased venture capital and R&D investment across the quantum ecosystem. However, skepticism persists. Many still view practical quantum applications as decades away, with the industry struggling to define clear, real-world use cases that outperform traditional supercomputers. Without a breakthrough and tangible return on investment (ROI), quantum computing remains a tough sell to potential customers seeking immediate, measurable benefits. Quantum Computing's Niche Technology Quantum Computing Inc. specializes in photonic, or light-based, quantum solutions, developing Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) designed to operate at room temperature and low power, features that could make the technology more accessible and cost-effective. However, the company's focus remains on niche applications, such as remote sensing and computational chemistry, which limits its current market reach. While progress is being made in identifying use cases where quantum systems may outperform classical supercomputers, practical, scalable, and commercially viable applications are still emerging. The technology faces persistent challenges, including qubit fragility, high error rates, and scalability limitations. These machines are highly specialized and complex, suited for addressing targeted, advanced problems, but are not yet ready for broad commercial deployment. Financials Tell A Different Story Quantum Computing's first-quarter 2025 earnings highlight just how early-stage its business remains. The company reported revenue of only $39,000—roughly equivalent to the median U.S. individual income—while operating expenses climbed to $8.3 million. A $23.6 million non-cash gain from the mark-to-market revaluation of its warrant liability resulted in a reported net income of $17 million. However, this masks the company's ongoing operational losses. On the operational front, the company completed construction of its Quantum Photonic Chip Foundry. It announced new partnerships, including a contract with NASA's Langley Research Center—a sign of growing institutional interest despite modest commercial traction so far. QUBT's Speculative Valuation Quantum Computing's ~$3 billion market cap, despite minimal revenue, highlights an apparent disconnect from fundamentals and suggests the stock is driven largely by speculation. While the company holds $166 million in cash and cash equivalents, providing it with some runway to develop its technology, its R&D budget is modest compared to that of deep-pocketed rivals like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Importantly, this cash position was built primarily through dilutive stock offerings and private placements, underscoring its heavy reliance on external funding. Given these constraints, it's difficult to envision a near-term path where Quantum Computing scales its niche technology into a broadly commercial product in a way that meaningfully rewards shareholders. Is QUBT Stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Reflecting its speculative nature, Quantum Computing's analyst coverage is limited. Its Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on one Buy recommendation in the past three months. Its average price target of $14.00 implies a downside potential of ~27% over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, TipRanks AI assigns QUBT a Neutral rating and a price target of $22. It notes that Quantum Computing's strong balance sheet and Qatalyst software positions it favorably amid hardware advances and increasing demand. However, it also points out that QUBT sports a high valuation, especially in light of ongoing losses and minimal revenues. QUBT Remains a High-Risk Bet in a Competitive Field While quantum computing as a whole may be approaching an 'inflection point,' the outlook for pure-play firms like Quantum Computing Inc. remains highly speculative. With minimal revenue, the company is still far from its own inflection point, where its products gain broad commercial viability. Reaching that stage will likely require scientific breakthroughs and significant R&D investment, which Quantum Computing may struggle to match relative to well-funded giants like IBM. That said, growing industry momentum is a clear tailwind. Rising interest in the sector could lead to increased funding, larger contracts, and a stronger push toward practical applications. Quantum Computing's unique focus on room-temperature, low-power photonic quantum systems, along with its early, albeit modest, commercial traction, may appeal to risk-tolerant, long-term investors. Personally, I remain highly cautious. The company's weak financial performance, lofty valuation, and limited ability to compete with larger players make its long-term investment case difficult to justify at this stage.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
If I Could Only Buy 1 Quantum Computing Stock, This Would Be It (Hint: It's Not IonQ)
Companies such as IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum are among some of the more popular quantum computing stocks right now. Despite robust share price returns, Nvidia is quietly building a quantum computing business that investors might not want to overlook. While Nvidia stock has been rising lately, valuation trends suggest the stock is still reasonably priced. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia › Over the last year, a quantum-computing-themed fund called the Defiance Quantum ETF has rocketed by 41%. Among some of the biggest contributors to these gains are popular quantum computing stocks such as IonQ, whose shares have soared by 394% over the last year -- as well as Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum, both of which have witnessed share price gains in excess of 1,000%. With such robust returns, these three red-hot quantum computing stocks might seem like no-brainers. Nevertheless, I have another company on my radar that I think will outperform these stocks in the long run. Let's explore how Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is starting to emerge as an interesting opportunity in the quantum computing landscape. More importantly, I'll detail why the company is my top pick in the space and assess if the stock is a good buy right now. Nvidia reports its revenue into five major buckets: data center, gaming, professional visualization, automotive, and other. Today, nearly 90% of the company's revenue stems from the data center segment. This makes sense, as cloud hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon, as well as other major AI developers, including Meta Platforms and Oracle, have been on a relentless buying spree for Nvidia's chips over the last couple of years as they continue investing in data center infrastructure. What investors may not realize, however, is that Nvidia isn't just a hardware company. It also has a thriving software unit that integrates tightly with the GPU business. The company's CUDA programming platform complements the chip business -- essentially creating an ecosystem of AI-powered software and hardware. This tight integration provides Nvidia with a competitive advantage over the competition, making it challenging for customers to switch to alternative platforms. This savvy business model has put Nvidia ahead of the pack when it comes to being the vendor of choice for generative AI development. Nvidia is already parlaying the CUDA application to quantum computing, aptly naming the program CUDA-Q. Let's explore why Nvidia's pursuit of quantum computing could be a lucrative move for the company. While Nvidia maintains a sizable lead over its competition in the chip landscape, I am concerned that semiconductors are becoming increasingly commoditized. Many of Nvidia's own customers are investing in custom silicon solutions. Meanwhile, Advanced Micro Devices continues to show impressive innovation with its own GPU architectures. I see the rise of quantum computing as an opportunity for Nvidia to diversify its business beyond AI data centers. Moreover, I think continuing to offer additional software applications through CUDA should help Nvidia maintain a healthy profit margin profile -- especially as the chip landscape begins to experience more competitive forces. As I write this (June 16), Nvidia is trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.7. This isn't exactly dirt cheap. For reference, the average forward P/E across the S&P 500 is around 22. What I am more focused on are the broader trends across Nvidia's valuation. Per the chart above, Nvidia's forward P/E multiple experienced notable contraction throughout most of this year. While Nvidia recovered from the initial decline back in January following the DeepSeek saga, the stock took another, more prolonged hit around April -- during the time of the President's initial tariff announcements. As investors can see, though, Nvidia has been experiencing some valuation expansion over the last month or so following a solid first-quarter earnings report, in combination with some net positives on the tariff negotiation front. Yet even with the recent buying, Nvidia remains a much cheaper stock today than it was a year ago based on forward P/E trends. While there is some momentum fueling the share price right now, I would still encourage investors to consider scooping up shares. Overall, Nvidia stock looks reasonably valued. Furthermore, with yet another multibillion-dollar market in the form of quantum computing representing an opportunity for the company to maintain its lead over the competition, the long-run narrative around Nvidia remains compelling. Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,171!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $891,722!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 995% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. If I Could Only Buy 1 Quantum Computing Stock, This Would Be It (Hint: It's Not IonQ) was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Caught in the chip war, Malaysia must rethink its US–China balancing act
Malaysia has landed in another tight spot – this time over claims Chinese engineers may have accessed high-end Nvidia chips on its soil to train artificial intelligence models, potentially breaching US export controls. Advertisement The timing could hardly be worse. Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan were in Washington this week to negotiate down a steep 24 per cent 'reciprocal tariff' imposed by US President Donald Trump in April. Now, their efforts risk being overshadowed by fears in Washington that Malaysia is serving as a backchannel for Chinese firms to access restricted chips – fears that could harden American attitudes and demands. The report, first published by the Wall Street Journal, claimed that an unnamed Chinese firm had booked out Malaysian data centres equipped with Nvidia's most advanced chips. US policy restricts the sale or export of these chips to China and its military-linked entities, including via third countries. A banner showing Nvidia branding at the AI & Big Data Expo 2025 in London on February 5. Photo: Reuters While it is unclear whether any laws were broken, the perception alone could prove damaging. Analysts expect Washington may use the case as leverage to push Malaysia into stricter enforcement of US export controls, especially given the billions of dollars in investments by American tech firms in Malaysian plants and data centres.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
QUBT Rockets 3,144% on Quantum Hype, as Valuation Leaves No Room for Error
Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) has experienced extreme volatility, recently surging over 25% in a single week following a public endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, fueling a staggering 3,144% gain over the past year. Investor excitement around a potential inflection point in quantum computing is palpable, though whether that enthusiasm is grounded in near-term reality remains to be seen. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter While I'm bullish on the broader quantum technology narrative, QUBT's current valuation seems to price in near-flawless execution and rapid industry expansion—expectations that leave little room for error. The stock's sharp price swings may appeal to short-term traders and speculators, but as a long-term investor, I'm taking a wait-and-see Neutral approach, preferring to let the sector mature and the company's fundamentals catch up to its hype. QUBT is positioning itself as an emerging contender in the quantum technology space, with a focus on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) chips—a key component in photonic quantum computing, which could represent a major breakthrough in the field. The company recently completed its Photonic Chip Foundry in Tempe, Arizona, a strategic move designed to give it an edge in producing specialized chips for quantum applications. By targeting this niche early, QUBT aims to establish a leadership position before larger, better-funded competitors scale up similar capabilities. QUBT has also secured notable partnerships, including contracts with NASA, the Delft University of Technology, and a major automotive manufacturer, signaling growing interest in its technology, despite current revenues remaining modest. That said, the quantum computing race is still in its early stages. Success is far from guaranteed, especially as QUBT faces fierce competition from tech giants and deep-pocketed startups. While the company's strategy is compelling, the path to long-term dominance remains uncertain. Quantum Computing posted surprising numbers for the first quarter of 2025. The company reported a net income of $17 million, or $0.13 per share, representing a remarkable turnaround from the $6.4 million loss it posted in the same quarter last year. However, the impressive change in profit wasn't from selling more products or services. Instead, it came from a $23.6 million non-cash accounting gain related to the valuation of specific financial instruments. Strip away this one-time boost, and Quantum actually lost $8.3 million from operations, an increase from the $6.3 million operating loss they had the year before. The company's gross margins also took a hit, falling from 41% to 33%. Management has attributed this to growing pains that come with operating at such low revenue levels, but it remains a red flag worth watching. On the bright side, the company's financial position is solid. It reported a $166.4 million cash position (boosted by a recent $93.6 million investment), virtually no debt, and a strong balance sheet. This gives it plenty of runway to fund operations and growth initiatives without worrying about burning through its cash anytime soon. While overall market sentiment remains cautious, QUBT has emerged as a favorite among momentum traders and quantum computing enthusiasts. This has created a dynamic where the stock's movements are often fueled more by headlines and sector hype than by underlying business fundamentals. For instance, when Nvidia's CEO made favorable comments about quantum computing, QUBT surged 25% in a single day. However, the recent rally has pushed QUBT's valuation to over 4,500 times its annual revenue—a level that should give even the most bullish growth investor reason to pause. The real test will come when the next headline isn't so favorable. On Wall Street, QUBT stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on one buy rating provided by Ascendiant. The firm has set QUBT's stock price target at $14, implying approximately 30% downside potential over the next twelve months. QUBT's future success hinges on several factors largely outside its direct control. The quantum computing industry remains in its early stages, with widespread commercial adoption still years away. Key drivers—such as government funding, enterprise investment in advanced computing, and broader tech sector capital flows—will heavily influence whether companies like QUBT can thrive or falter. The stock is also susceptible to shifts in market sentiment. A turn toward prioritizing profitability over growth, or rising interest rates that dampen the appetite for speculative investments, could present serious challenges. Conversely, stronger government backing for quantum innovation, technological breakthroughs, or high-profile commercial partnerships could serve as powerful catalysts for QUBT's growth trajectory. Quantum Computing's strong financial position, traction with potential customers, and strategic positioning in a potentially transformative industry are attractive characteristics. Yet, the stock is priced for perfection, leaving little room for disappointment. While I am bullish on the potential opportunities of quantum computing, the recent run-up in QUBT's price has me inclined to wait for evidence of sustained revenue growth and a clear path to profitability before investing. 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Bloomberg
8 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Rural Bank Plans Return to Japan Bonds After Winning on Nvidia
A Japanese regional bank that has stood out among its peers for making money on assets ranging from US Treasuries to Nvidia Corp. is now looking closer to home for investments. Iyogin Holdings Inc., which shunned Japanese government bonds during the era of negative interest rates, is ready to jump back in once a rise in yields runs its course, said Chief Executive Officer Kenji Miyoshi.
