Quantum Computing Stocks: Is Now the Time to Buy the Dip?

The quantum computing sector has long been a playground for visionaries and risk-takers. As of August 2025, two of its most prominent players—Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and IonQ (IONQ)—are trading at levels that suggest both opportunity and peril. With recent technical indicators pointing to oversold conditions and market sentiment oscillating between optimism and caution, the question looms: Is this the moment to “buy the dip” in these speculative equities?

Technical Analysis: A Tale of Two Dips

Rigetti Computing's stock has been a rollercoaster. After surging 1,447.95% over the past year, it now trades at $14.36, down 5.87% year-to-date and 20.11% in the past week. The 50-day and 200-day moving averages ($16.11 and $15.47, respectively) hover above the current price, signaling a bearish trend. Yet the 14-day RSI of 38.79 suggests the stock is oversold, and the ascending triangle pattern on its chart—a historically bullish formation—hints at a potential breakout.

For IonQ, the picture is more uniformly bearish. At $37.19, its 1.09% daily gain masks a 13.43% annual return that pales next to Rigetti's meteoric rise. The 5-day, 10-day, and 20-day moving averages all trade above the current price, with the 14-day RSI at 38.11—a near-identical oversold reading. The MACD (-0.58) and Bollinger Bands further reinforce a sell signal, though the 200-day moving average ($34.26) offers a faint glimmer of support.

Market Sentiment: Innovation vs. Profitability

The market's cautious optimism for Rigetti stems from its recent technological milestones. The company's Cepheus-1-36Q system, with 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity, represents a 2x improvement over its predecessor. A $350 million equity offering has bolstered its cash reserves to $570 million, yet Q2 2025 revenue fell to $1.8 million—a 38% decline year-over-year. Investors are betting on its roadmap: a 100+ qubit system by year-end and partnerships with firms like Quanta Computer.

IonQ, meanwhile, benefits from a more mature ecosystem. Its integration with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, coupled with Amazon's recent equity stake, signals growing institutional confidence. However, its 0.1% year-to-date price gain lags behind the sector's 23.5% average. While IonQ's P/B ratio of 9.29 is half Rigetti's 21.64, its revenue growth remains elusive, and quantum advantage—a key metric for long-term viability—remains a distant horizon.

The Investment Case: High Risk, High Reward

Quantum computing is a sector defined by its duality: it promises to revolutionize industries from cryptography to drug discovery, yet its commercialization timelines are notoriously opaque. For RGTI, the current dip offers a chance to buy into a company with cutting-edge hardware and a robust balance sheet, albeit at the cost of near-term profitability. The oversold RSI and ascending triangle pattern suggest a potential rebound, but the 50-day and 200-day moving averages act as psychological barriers.

IONQ's situation is trickier. While its cloud-based model and strategic partnerships provide stability, the overwhelming bearishness in its technical indicators—nine sell signals versus three buys—makes it a riskier proposition. The MACD's negative reading and Bollinger Bands' bearish divergence suggest further downside, though the 200-day moving average could serve as a floor.

Final Verdict: Proceed with Caution

For investors with a high-risk tolerance and a long-term horizon, the current correction in quantum computing stocks may present an opportunity. Rigetti's technological progress and strong cash position make it a compelling case for those willing to tolerate volatility. IonQ, while less speculative, offers a more conservative entry point but lacks the same level of innovation-driven momentum.

However, the sector's inherent risks—geopolitical tensions, regulatory uncertainty, and the sheer complexity of scaling quantum systems—cannot be ignored. As one analyst put it, “Quantum computing is the next industrial revolution, but it's still in the steam engine phase.”

If you choose to “buy the dip,” do so with a clear plan. For RGTI, set stop-loss levels below the 50-day moving average and monitor the Q2 earnings report for signs of renewed momentum. For IONQ, consider dollar-cost averaging into positions while watching for a retest of the $34.26 200-day support.

In the end, the quantum leap is not for the faint of heart. But for those who dare, the rewards could be as vast as the computational possibilities themselves.