Key facts
- Insiders at IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. have sold $895.1 million more in shares than they purchased over the past two years.
- IonQ insiders sold a net $454.5 million, Rigetti Computing sold $75.7 million, D-Wave Quantum sold $331.1 million, and Quantum Computing Inc. sold $33.8 million.
- Insider buying for IonQ was $2.3 million, while Rigetti Computing and Quantum Computing Inc. had $0 in insider buying.
- The trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratios for these companies were 55.7 for IonQ, 391.2 for Rigetti Computing, 494.1 for D-Wave Quantum, and 183.3 for Quantum Computing Inc.
Despite the booming interest in artificial intelligence infrastructure, quantum computing stocks have also seen significant gains, with shares of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. soaring between 400% and 1,820% over the past two years. However, insider trading activity suggests a less optimistic outlook. Collectively, insiders at these four companies have sold $895.1 million more in stock than they have purchased since September 18, 2024. While some insider selling can be attributed to tax liabilities or diversification, the lack of insider buying is notable. Rigetti Computing and Quantum Computing Inc. have seen no insider purchases at all over the trailing two years. Historically, companies at the forefront of new technologies have experienced early-stage bubble-bursting events when investors overestimate adoption rates or innovation optimization. The current price-to-sales ratios for these quantum computing companies, ranging from 55.7 to 494.1, are considered by some to be in bubble territory, suggesting that quantum computing is still in its early stages and not yet a proven, optimized innovation.