D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) shares jumped in Monday's premarket session after the company announced an expanded agreement with AT&T Inc. (T) to deploy its quantum computing technology across AT&T's network operations. The deal is a concrete sign that quantum computing is moving from lab experiments to real-world telecom infrastructure.
AT&T reported that using D-Wave's quantum technology, it slashed network optimization processing time from roughly one hour to less than 15 seconds. That's not a typo — an hour down to seconds. For a telecom giant managing millions of data flows, that kind of speedup could translate into serious operational savings and better service quality.
The partnership is part of AT&T's broader push to modernize its network using quantum computing, AI, and advanced analytics. It's a vote of confidence for D-Wave's annealing quantum approach, which is designed for optimization problems — exactly the kind of complex, combinatorial tasks that telecom networks throw up constantly.
Technical Picture: Momentum Fading, But Deal Could Spark a Reversal
As of Monday, D-Wave shares were trading at $16.95, about 9.6% below their 20-day simple moving average of $19.84 and 21.2% below the 50-day SMA of $22.75. The MACD is below its signal line, suggesting that momentum has been fading. In plain English: the stock has been losing steam, and it needs to reclaim those moving averages to convince traders the uptrend is still alive.
The AT&T news could be the catalyst that changes that. Premarket action saw shares up 8.01% at $17.50, so investors are already pricing in some optimism. But the technicals suggest the stock has work to do before it's out of the woods.
Earnings Preview: What to Watch on August 6
D-Wave is set to report earnings on August 6, 2026. Here's what analysts are expecting:
- EPS Estimate: Loss of 10 cents per share (wider than the prior loss of 8 cents)
- Revenue Estimate: $4.04 million (up from $3.10 million)
Revenue is growing, but losses are also widening — typical for a growth-stage quantum company investing heavily in R&D and commercial expansion. The AT&T deal could help accelerate the path to profitability by bringing in more recurring revenue from a blue-chip customer.
Analyst Views: Wall Street Is Bullish
Analysts are broadly optimistic. The stock carries a Buy consensus with an average price target of $40.13 — that's more than double the current price. Recent analyst moves include:
- Mizuho: Outperform, raised target to $35.00 (June 15)
- Rosenblatt: Buy, maintained target at $43.00 (June 11)
- B. Riley Securities: Buy, raised target to $40.00 (June 2)
These targets were set before the AT&T expansion was announced, so there's potential for upward revisions if the deal's financial impact becomes clearer.
Momentum Score: Bullish Signal
According to market data, D-Wave's momentum score is 83 out of 100, which is considered bullish — meaning the stock has been outperforming the broader market. The AT&T partnership could reinforce that momentum, giving the company a tangible commercial win to point to.
ETF Exposure: Why QBTS Moves With These Funds
D-Wave's stock is heavily weighted in several ETFs, which means fund flows can directly impact the share price:
- WisdomTree Quantum Computing Fund ETF (WQTM): 5.25% weight
- Tradr 2X Long QBTS Daily ETF (QBTX): 116.95% weight (yes, that's leveraged)
- Roundhill Meme Stock ETF (MEME): 5.67% weight
Because QBTS carries such heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows will force automatic buying or selling of the stock. That can amplify moves in either direction, so keep an eye on ETF flows as a secondary signal.
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