D-Wave leads quantum stocks higher as AT&T expands computing deal
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) rose more than 9% in premarket after AT&T (T) said it will expand its use of D-Wave technology across network operations, building on prior pilots to optimize telecom workloads. Quantum peers Rigetti (RGTI) and Infleqtion (INFQ) also gained, while IBM (IBM) rose. All three quantum stocks are down over 35% YTD.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
AT&T’s expansion of D-Wave technology use is the immediate driver for QBTS’s premarket surge, while peer strength appears to be sector read-through. IBM’s mention is tied to prior government initiative inclusion and its quantum chip foundry launch.
Market read
A concrete AT&T expansion announcement provides a fresh, near-term catalyst for D-Wave and sympathy support for quantum peers.
What to watch
No contract size, duration, or commercial milestones are provided; peer gains may be purely sympathy rather than new orders.
Background
The article notes D-Wave, Rigetti, and Infleqtion have been volatile in 2026 and previously rallied after US Commerce letters of intent for quantum R&D funding.
Ticker impact
D-Wave shares jumped more than 9% premarket after AT&T will expand use of D-Wave technology across network operations.
Likely supports continued upside momentum near term, but may fade if follow-on contract details are limited.
The article cites a fresh expansion of an AT&T agreement building on pilots, which is a concrete catalyst for QBTS sentiment and revenue expectations.
AT&T is expanding its use of D-Wave technology across network operations, which is the stated driver for the quantum-stock move.
Limited direct price impact expected for AT&T absent disclosed financial terms.
The article provides no AT&T-specific financial impact, only that AT&T will expand usage of D-Wave technology.
Rigetti shares rose more than 3% before the bell alongside D-Wave’s AT&T-driven quantum computing deal news.
May track quantum peer momentum intraday, but fundamentals likely unchanged without a named Rigetti deal.
No Rigetti-specific agreement is described; the article frames the gain as quantum peers jumping.
Infleqtion climbed more than 3% before the bell as quantum peers reacted to AT&T expanding D-Wave technology.
Near-term sympathy bid possible, but direction depends on broader quantum sentiment.
The article does not state AT&T expanded Infleqtion’s technology, only that peers rose.
IBM gained more than 1% as it was included in a prior Commerce initiative and is mentioned in the broader quantum funding context.
Modest follow-through possible, but no new IBM-specific deal is disclosed in this text.
The article does not report a fresh IBM action tied to AT&T; it references IBM’s earlier initiative and a new quantum chip foundry launch.
Market effects
Supports near-term sentiment for quantum computing names by reinforcing real-world telecom deployment interest.
Primarily US-listed quantum equities; no explicit regional spillover beyond US premarket trading.
Signals multinational telecom experimentation with quantum technology, which can influence global investor perception of quantum commercialization timelines.
Counterpoint
The catalyst may be incremental expansion of pilots without material revenue visibility, so the premarket pop could mean-revert.
Key entities
- public_companyD-Wave Quantum
Quantum computing company whose stock surged after AT&T expanded use of its technology.
- public_companyAT&T
Telecom operator expanding D-Wave technology across network operations.
- public_companyRigetti Computing
Quantum peer that rose alongside D-Wave on sector read-through.
- public_companyInfleqtion
Quantum peer that climbed with other quantum stocks on the same catalyst backdrop.
- public_companyIBM
Quantum-related company mentioned in the context of Commerce funding and a quantum chip foundry launch.
