What caused RGTI's earnings decline in 2024?

Rigetti Computing's (RGTI) earnings decline in 2024 was primarily due to **Revenue Shortfall** and **Strategic Investments**:

1. **Revenue Shortfall**: Rigetti's revenue fell short of expectations, missing analyst estimates by 30% in Q3 2024 and 13% in Q2 2024. The total revenue for Q4 2024 was $2.27 million, down from $3.4 million in the same quarter the previous year. This decline was likely due to the company's challenging revenue environment in the semiconductor industry.

2. **Strategic Investments**: Despite the revenue challenges, Rigetti continued to invest heavily in its quantum computing technology and infrastructure. The company's operating expenses were high, totaling $19.5 million in Q4 2024, which contributed to the net loss. These investments are crucial for the company's long-term growth in the competitive quantum computing market but put pressure on short-term earnings.

In summary, Rigetti's earnings decline in 2024 was caused by a combination of revenue shortfall and strategic investments.