QBTS Plummets 4.17% Amid Quantum Computing Volatility: What's Next for D-Wave?

Summary
• D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) trades at $26.565, down 4.17% intraday
• Intraday range spans $24.62 to $26.94, with turnover surging to 20.7M shares
• Sector peers like IONQ (-4.7%) mirror QBTS’s bearish momentum

Amid a volatile session marked by sharp intraday swings, D-Wave Quantum’s stock has plunged to session lows, erasing earlier gains from a 52-week high hit earlier this week. The move coincides with heightened sector-wide jitters in quantum computing and AI, as mixed signals from regulatory and macroeconomic developments create a tug-of-war between optimism and caution.

Profit-Taking and Macro Uncertainty Weigh on QBTS
QBTS’s sharp intraday decline follows a recent 11.9% rally driven by optimism around its Advantage2 quantum processor and Asia-Pacific expansion. However, profit-taking pressure has intensified as the stock approaches its 52-week high of $29.18. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s rate cut announcement and mixed guidance from Trump’s proposed quantum computing agenda have created a risk-off environment. Analysts note that while D-Wave’s Asia-Pacific bookings surged 83% YoY, the broader market’s sensitivity to macroeconomic shifts—particularly in high-growth tech sectors—has amplified short-term volatility.

Quantum Computing Sector Volatile as IONQ Trails QBTS
The quantum computing sector remains in a state of flux, with IONQ (-4.7%) and RGTI (-3.2%) echoing QBTS’s bearish momentum. This synchronized decline underscores sector-wide sensitivity to macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory overhangs. While D-Wave’s recent product launches and partnerships (e.g., Japan Tobacco, NTT DOCOMO) have outperformed peers, the sector’s beta of 1.40 and high implied volatility ratios (95%–137%) suggest continued susceptibility to broader market corrections.

Options and Technicals: Navigating QBTS’s Volatile Landscape
• 200-day MA: $11.59 (well below current price)
• RSI: 91.24 (overbought territory)
• MACD: 2.73 (bullish divergence with signal line at 1.50)
• Bollinger Bands: Price at $26.565, 35% above middle band ($19.11)

QBTS’s technicals suggest a short-term overbought condition, with RSI near 90 and MACD divergence hinting at potential pullback. Key support levels to watch include the 30-day MA ($18.12) and the 200D MA ($11.59). For traders, the high implied volatility (95%–137%) and leveraged options present opportunities for directional bets. The sector’s beta of 1.40 also amplifies exposure to broader market swings.

Top Options Picks:
• QBTS20251003P24.5 (Put, $24.5 strike, Oct 3 expiry)
- IV: 95.35% (elevated volatility)
- Delta: -0.33 (moderate sensitivity)
- Gamma: 0.0686 (responsive to price swings)
- Turnover: 7,842 (liquid)
- LVR: 19.97% (high leverage)
- Theta: -0.0607 (moderate time decay)
- Why it stands out: This put option offers high leverage and liquidity, ideal for capitalizing on a potential 5% downside (projected price: $25.23). Payoff: max(0, $24.5 - $25.23) = $0.00 (break-even at $24.5).

• QBTS20251003C26.5 (Call, $26.5 strike, Oct 3 expiry)
- IV: 125.93% (attractive volatility)
- Delta: 0.515 (balanced exposure)
- Gamma: 0.0771 (reactive to price moves)
- Turnover: 91,190 (high liquidity)
- LVR: 13.62% (moderate leverage)
- Theta: -0.168 (aggressive time decay)
- Why it stands out: This call offers a balance of leverage and liquidity, with a 5% downside scenario (projected price: $25.23) yielding max(0, $25.23 - $26.5) = $0.00 (break-even at $26.5).

Trading Insight: Aggressive bears may consider QBTS20251003P24.5 into a breakdown below $25.50, while bulls could test the $26.50 retest with QBTS20251003C26.5.

Backtest D-Wave Quantum Stock Performance
The backtest is ready—please review the interactive report below for full statistics, trade-by-trade breakdown, and risk metrics.Key auto-filled items:• Holding-period cap set to 20 trading days and stop-loss / take-profit at 10 % / 20 % respectively—standard short-term swing-trade safeguards when the user didn’t specify exits. • Date range defaults to 2022-01-01 through 2025-09-24, matching “2022 to now”. Open the module to explore cumulative P&L curves, drawdown, hit ratio, and every trade generated by the strategy.

QBTS at Crossroads: Watch Support Levels and Sector Catalysts
QBTS’s near-term trajectory hinges on its ability to hold key support levels ($25.50–$24.50) and sector-wide catalysts, including Trump’s quantum computing agenda and Fed policy clarity. While the stock’s 52-week high and Asia-Pacific momentum remain bullish, overbought technicals and sector-wide volatility suggest caution. Investors should monitor IONQ’s performance (-4.7% intraday) as a barometer for sector sentiment. For now, a breakdown below $25.50 could trigger a retest of the 30-day MA at $18.12, while a rebound above $26.94 may reignite bullish momentum. Action: Watch for a $25.50 breakdown or a sector rally led by IONQ’s (-4.7%) next move.