Overview
- The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is considering taking equity positions in quantum-computing companies to lock in future processing capacity.
- Companies named in the reported talks include IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum, with industry figures seeking at least $10 million per firm.
- The White House issued a statement denying the report later in the day, even as trading momentum continued.
- Shares rallied after the report, with Rigetti up about 16%, D-Wave up 23%, IonQ up 13%, and Quantum Computing Inc. up 14% at intraday highs.
- The potential move aligns with stepped-up U.S. industrial intervention, including recent Treasury signals and stakes reported in Intel and MP Materials, while supply risks tied to Chinese export controls on key materials remain a concern.