Rigetti Computing Soared 9.24%—Could This Be the Quantum Leap Investors Have Been Waiting For?

Summary
• Rigetti Computing (RGTI) surged 9.24% intraday, breaking above $15.48 amid quantum computing sector buzz
• Intraday high reached $15.95, while low hovered at $14.60, signaling aggressive short-term positioning
• Turnover hit 26.3 million shares, 9.22% of float, suggesting heightened retail and institutional participation
• Quantum computing's $72 billion 2035 growth forecast and D-Wave's 6.27% rally in sector leadership fuel speculation about RGTI's trajectory

Quantum Computing Sector Optimism Ignites Retail and Institutional Participation
Rigetti Computing's 9.24% surge reflects renewed optimism in the quantum computing sector, driven by speculative positioning ahead of Microsoft's CEO endorsement of quantum innovation and D-Wave's recent $15 million quarterly revenue milestone. While Rigetti's fundamental report lacks immediate catalysts, the stock's performance aligns with broader sector momentum. The $575 million cash hoard post-equity raise and government-funded chip advancements position it as a speculative play in a market pricing quantum computing's long-term potential. Retail traders are likely capitalizing on the 52-week low of $0.66 versus the $21.42 peak, betting on a rebound amid sector re-rating.

Quantum Computing Sector Rally as Rigetti and D-Wave Lead Charge
The Information Technology Services sector's quantum computing subset is experiencing a coordinated rally, with Rigetti Computing's 9.24% jump closely tracking D-Wave Quantum (QBTS)'s 6.27% surge. Both companies represent pure-play exposure to the $4 billion-to-$72 billion industry forecast. However, structural differences remain: D-Wave's recent $15 million revenue (509% YoY) contrasts with Rigetti's $1.5 million Q1 sales. The sector's momentum is being driven by Microsoft's quantum computing endorsements and speculative positioning in leveraged ETFs like the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF (RGTX), which surged 18.9% today.

Bullish Setup Unfolds: ETF Exposure and Strategic Options Plays
• 200-day average: $9.28 (far below) • RSI: 55.4 (neutral) • MACD: 0.79 (bullish divergence) • Bollinger Bands: $11.42–$17.78 (price near upper bound) • Turnover Rate: 9.22% (high liquidity)
Technical indicators suggest a short-term bearish correction within a long-term bullish trend. The 52-week low of $0.66 remains a critical support, while the $17.78 upper Bollinger level acts as resistance. The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF (RGTX) offers 2x leveraged exposure to RGTI's volatility, surging 18.9% today—a sign of retail enthusiasm.

Top Option 1: RGTI20250808C15.5
• Code: RGTI20250808C15.5 • Type: Call • Strike: $15.50 • Expiration: 2025-08-08 • IV: 88.33% (high volatility) • Leverage: 19.22% • Delta: 0.507 (moderate directional sensitivity) • Theta: -0.081 (rapid time decay) • Gamma: 0.187 (high price sensitivity) • Turnover: 95,850
Payoff at 5% upside (target $16.25): $0.75/share profit. This call offers a balance of high leverage and moderate delta, ideal for a continuation of today's momentum.

Top Option 2: RGTI20250808C16
• Code: RGTI20250808C16 • Type: Call • Strike: $16.00 • Expiration: 2025-08-08 • IV: 88.69% (high volatility) • Leverage: 25.62% • Delta: 0.417 (moderate directional sensitivity) • Theta: -0.075 (rapid time decay) • Gamma: 0.182 (high price sensitivity) • Turnover: 193,322
Payoff at 5% upside (target $16.25): $0.25/share profit. The higher strike price offers amplified leverage (25.62%) while maintaining liquidity (193k turnover), making it a high-conviction play for aggressive bulls.

Aggressive bulls may consider RGTI20250808C15.5 into a breakout above $15.95 or RGTI20250808C16 as a high-leverage bet on a $16.00 close.

Backtest Rigetti Computing Stock Performance
The backtest of RGTI's performance after a 9% intraday surge shows favorable short-to-medium-term gains, with win rates and returns increasing across 3, 10, and 30 days. However, the maximum return during the backtest period was 16.76%, which suggests that while the stock tends to perform well in the immediate aftermath of a significant surge, its longer-term performance may be more variable.

Quantum Momentum Building—Time to Position for the Next Wave
Rigetti Computing's 9.24% surge reflects growing conviction in quantum computing's long-term potential, despite near-term revenue challenges. The stock's movement aligns with D-Wave Quantum's 6.27% rally and sector-wide enthusiasm. Technical indicators suggest a continuation of the bullish trend if $15.95 intraday highs hold, with the 200-day average at $9.28 acting as a critical floor. Investors should monitor D-Wave's Q2 earnings and Rigetti's cash burn rate, but the immediate setup favors aggressive long positions via leveraged ETFs or high-gamma call options. Watch for a breakdown below $14.60 to signal a reversal, or a breakout above $15.95 to validate the new upward phase.