Rigetti Computing (RGTI) Stock Skyrockets Today – Here’s Why Investors Are Piling In

Shares of Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI) exploded to a fresh all-time high of $34.40 in early Thursday trading, extending a meteoric rally that has lifted the quantum-computing pioneer more than 3,700 % over the past 12 months. Momentum accelerated after multiple billionaire family offices and hedge funds disclosed new stakes this week, a trend highlighted by The Motley Fool, which noted that heavyweight investors “are piling into” the stock as quantum hardware inches closer to commercial viability. Retail participation has followed suit, pushing daily volume to five times its 30-day average and making RGTI one of the most discussed tickers across social-media trading rooms. Why the sudden buzz? • Technology milestones: Rigetti last quarter unveiled a 36-qubit multi-chip processor—currently the industry’s largest—and said it remains on track to deliver a 1,000-qubit system by 2027, a timeline analysts describe as “aggressive but credible.” The breakthrough positions Rigetti to win government and enterprise contracts aimed at cryptography, drug discovery and logistics optimization. • Improving fundamentals: Second-quarter revenue climbed 28 % year-over-year to $5.9 million, beating consensus by nearly $200,000, while operating losses narrowed for a third straight quarter thanks to disciplined R&D spending. • Upbeat Wall Street sentiment: Five covering analysts maintain a “Strong Buy” average rating with price targets ranging from $12 to $35; yet the stock’s parabolic move indicates the market is already pricing in the high end of those estimates, raising the bar for future upside. Key risk factors Valuation: At 88 × projected 2026 sales, RGTI trades at a premium even within the frothy quantum cohort. Any delays in scaling qubits or securing marquee customers could spark a sharp reversal. Lock-up expirations: Early-stage investors and insiders hold roughly 54 % of outstanding shares, and a new lock-up window opens in late November, potentially adding supply. Macro headwinds: Higher real yields and tighter liquidity generally pressure speculative growth names; Rigetti’s beta of 3.6 suggests outsized sensitivity to Fed policy shifts. What comes next Catalysts to watch include an expected Department of Energy grant decision in mid-October, the company’s Q3 earnings call slated for November 13, and rumoured partnerships with hyperscale cloud providers. Traders should also monitor options activity, where open interest in at-the-money calls has doubled week-over-week, hinting at continued volatility. Bottom line RGTI stock has entered the market’s quantum realm—where expectations are exponential and corrections can be equally swift. For investors willing to stomach the swings, Rigetti offers pure-play exposure to a technology that could redefine computing power; for everyone else, caution and tight risk management are paramount.