Rigetti Computing shares faced significant pressure on Thursday, shedding approximately 13% of their value in a single session. The decline was driven by a confluence of two negative developments: a bearish report targeting a key industry peer that dragged down the entire quantum computing sector, coupled with an internal announcement of a delay for one of Rigetti’s own pivotal systems.
Sector-Wide Sell-Off Triggered by Short Report
The initial shockwave originated from outside the company. On Thursday, the short-selling firm Wolfpack Research issued a highly critical analysis of IonQ, a competitor in
This triggered a sharp sell-off in IonQ’s stock, which subsequently pulled down the valuations of other companies in the sector. The news prompted a broad reassessment of risk among investors holding quantum computing equities. D-Wave Quantum also registered notable losses. Despite not being the direct target of the short-seller’s claims, Rigetti was caught in the downdraft of the resulting negative market sentiment.
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Internal Setback: Cepheus-1 Timeline Pushed Back
Compounding the external pressure, reports emerged that Rigetti is postponing the launch of its Cepheus-1-108Q quantum computer. Originally scheduled for an earlier debut, the system’s introduction is now anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
This delay arrives at an inopportune moment. The market is closely scrutinizing the ability of hardware developers to commercialize their technology and meet projected timelines. The schedule shift is likely to have further eroded investor confidence, a factor reflected in Rigetti’s disproportionate share price decline compared to some peers on Thursday.
Investor Attention Turns to Forthcoming Quarterly Results
When trading closed, Rigetti shares were down nearly 13% at $14.98. Trading volume was elevated, with roughly 35.5 million shares changing hands. Market participants are now looking ahead to the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 financial results, scheduled for release in early March. These figures, along with any updated commentary on the revised Cepheus-1 schedule and the status of government funding for quantum technologies, will be closely analyzed for signs of the company’s forward trajectory.
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