Quantum Computing Stocks Surge on CHIPS Act Funding Wave

Benzinga reported Thursday that a wave of government-backed investment commitments sent quantum computing stocks sharply higher across the board, even as broader U.S. indices posted modest gains.

Quantum Stocks Dominate Thursday’s Session

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.55% at 50,285.66. The S&P 500 added 0.17% to finish at 7,445.72. The Nasdaq edged just 0.09% higher to 26,293.09. The real action was concentrated in quantum names.

D-Wave Quantum (NASDAQ: QBTS) was among the biggest movers. Shares soared 33.37% to close at $25.74 on the session. The catalyst was a Letter of Intent for $100 million in CHIPS Act funding. After-hours trading added a further 7.81%.

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) climbed 12.48% to $252.97. The company unveiled America’s first quantum foundry, backed by $1 billion in CHIPS Act support. The move is framed as a direct effort to reinforce U.S. leadership in next-generation computing. IBM shares added another 1.67% after the close.

Infleqtion Inc. (NYSE: INFQ) jumped 31.48% to $14.70. A proposed $100 million CHIPS Act deal aimed at advancing domestic quantum capabilities drove the move. The stock continued climbing 8.78% in extended trading.

Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) rose 30.57% to $22.04. Beyond the broader funding enthusiasm, reports emerged that the Trump administration is considering taking direct equity stakes in Rigetti and peer companies. That prospect added momentum to an already strong session.

Background: CHIPS Act and the Quantum Race

The CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in 2022, allocated roughly $280 billion toward U.S. semiconductor and advanced technology development. Quantum computing has emerged as a priority subsector. Federal agencies have increasingly signaled that domestic quantum capability is a national security matter. Thursday’s announcements mark one of the more concentrated single-day deployments of that intent.

Also Read: What Is the CHIPS Act and Why Does It Matter?

Walmart Earnings Weigh on Retail Sentiment

Not every name benefited Thursday. Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) dropped 7.27% to $121.34 despite reporting better-than-expected first-quarter revenue of $177.8 billion, a 7.3% year-over-year increase. Adjusted earnings came in at 66 cents per share, matching estimates. U.S. e-commerce sales grew 26%, driven by delivery, advertising, and Marketplace. Investors appeared to sell the news after a strong run-up ahead of the print.

Also Read: Walmart Reports Q1 2026 Earnings

What Comes Next for Quantum

The equity moves Thursday reflect growing conviction that government capital will meaningfully accelerate commercial quantum timelines. Whether CHIPS Act dollars translate into durable competitive advantages remains an open question. Analysts will likely revisit price targets across QBTS, RGTI, and INFQ in the sessions ahead.

Read Next: IBM Bets Big on Quantum as AI Competition Intensifies