Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI) wrapped up an abbreviated Christmas Eve session on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with the stock closing at $24.51, down from the prior close of $25.11. In after-hours trading, RGTI was last quoted around $24.54, essentially flat versus the cash close as liquidity thinned into the holiday. [1]
One important calendar note before diving in: U.S. markets are closed on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2025). So there is no “tomorrow” regular-session open—the next full regular trading session is Friday, December 26, 2025. Also, because December 24 is an early close, the NYSE holiday schedule shows markets closing at 1:00 p.m. ET, with late trading sessions closing at 5:00 p.m. ET. [2]
Below is what investors and traders are focusing on tonight—based on the major news items, analyst commentary, and market data published today (Dec. 24)—heading into the next time price discovery resumes.
RGTI after the bell: the key numbers investors are watching tonight
Even on a shortened session, RGTI delivered the kind of intraday movement that has become familiar across the “pure-play” quantum computing group:
- Close (Dec. 24): $24.51 [3]
- Day range: $24.04 to $25.22 [4]
- Volume: about 18.09 million shares [5]
- After-hours (latest quote shown): ~$24.54 [6]
Because today was a holiday schedule, investors should treat after-hours prints with extra caution: spreads can widen and a relatively small order can move the quote more than it would on a normal, fully staffed trading day. The NYSE calendar explicitly notes the unusual session structure for Dec. 24. [7]
Why Rigetti stock moved today: what headlines actually drove the conversation
A notable feature of today’s RGTI coverage is that much of it focused less on a single fresh company catalyst and more on:
- Wall Street’s evolving stance on quantum “pure plays”,
- relative-value debates (Rigetti vs. IonQ), and
- the sector’s high-volatility trading profile.
That matters because when the “why” is mostly positioning and sentiment, price action can remain choppy—even without any breaking press release.
The biggest RGTI news, forecasts, and analysis published today, Dec. 24
1) Analyst consensus: “Moderate Buy,” but with a wide spread of targets
A widely-circulated MarketBeat roundup dated Dec. 24 said nine analyst firms collectively rate Rigetti “Moderate Buy” (breakdown: 6 Buys, 2 Holds, 1 Sell), with a mean 12‑month price target around $31.22. It also highlighted standout targets including Mizuho at $50 and Williams Trading at $40, while reiterating that Rigetti remains unprofitable and that the stock’s past-year range has been extremely wide. [8]
Why this matters tonight: for a momentum-driven name like RGTI, price targets become narrative fuel—and that narrative can influence positioning into the next open, especially when liquidity is thin.
2) “Rigetti vs. IonQ” — a fresh side-by-side investor debate (Nasdaq/Zacks, Dec. 24)
A Nasdaq article published at 12:26 p.m. ET on Dec. 24 framed RGTI and IonQ as two different bets on the same long-term theme: gate-based quantum computing, but with very different approaches (Rigetti’s superconducting strategy and chiplet-style modularity vs. IonQ’s trapped-ion focus on fidelity and commercialization). [9]
The piece also pointed to forward estimates that are important for “what to know before the next open”:
- The Zacks consensus estimate cited in the article implies RGTI 2025 sales down ~26.88% year over year, and a projected 2025 loss of $0.68 per share. [10]
- It also noted both stocks carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and a Value Score of F—a reminder that the group is priced more on future possibility than on current fundamentals. [11]
- The article’s conclusion leaned slightly toward Rigetti for investors who prefer a more “measured growth” profile over near-term excitement. [12]
Why this matters tonight: on days without a big corporate headline, relative-trade narratives (RGTI vs. IONQ) can influence flows—particularly among traders rotating within the same theme.
3) Sector enthusiasm is back—but Wall Street warns volatility stays high (TipRanks, Dec. 24)
A TipRanks story published in the early hours of Dec. 24 described quantum stocks (including Rigetti) as having “soared over the last month,” driven by optimism around government funding, enterprise adoption, and long-run breakthroughs—while emphasizing that volatility remains high. [13]
It also summarized bullish analyst positioning, stating that Wedbush initiated coverage with Buy ratings (including on RGTI) and that Mizuho also carries Buy ratings on the trio mentioned. It further said that, among the group compared, RGTI is rated “Moderate Buy” on TipRanks’ aggregation. [14]
Why this matters tonight: for theme stocks, the most important “forecast” often isn’t a one-day price call—it’s whether the Street is adding coverage, reiterating bullishness, and raising targets, which can keep the narrative alive into the next session.
4) AAII’s snapshot: strong momentum signals, but “ultra expensive” on value grading
An AAII piece dated Dec. 24 framed today’s move with a classic “momentum vs. valuation” tension:
- It recorded the close around $24.51, with the day range and month range context (December high and low levels). [15]
- It described an AAII Momentum Score that it characterized as very strong, while also assigning a Value Grade of “F” (its “ultra expensive” label). [16]
Why this matters tonight: it explains why RGTI can be a tug-of-war stock into the open—momentum traders and long-term believers on one side, valuation-sensitive skeptics on the other.
5) Options traders made bullish-looking bets today (but read carefully)
A Benzinga options-flow summary published today flagged an RGTI call option sweep with bullish sentiment: 4,500 contracts at a $35 strike expiring January 9, 2026, with the activity split across multiple trades. [17]
Why this matters tonight: unusual options activity can sometimes foreshadow positioning—or it can simply reflect hedging or spread structures. Still, it’s one of the few same-day “flow” datapoints that traders may watch into Friday’s open.
6) A notable calendar item: Benchmark-hosted management call (dated Dec. 24)
Separately, The Fly (via TipRanks) noted that a conference call with management was scheduled for December 24, hosted by Benchmark. [18]
Why this matters tonight: if investors believe new color emerged from management (even without a formal press release), the stock can re-price quickly once markets reopen—especially in a thin tape.
What Wall Street is effectively forecasting for Rigetti right now
Putting today’s analyst-focused coverage together:
- Consensus stance: Moderate Buy (aggregated), but not unanimous. [19]
- Consensus target (MarketBeat aggregation): about $31.22, with a high target of $50 and a low target of $15—a huge dispersion that mirrors the uncertainty in quantum commercialization timelines. [20]
- Near-term fundamentals (per the MarketBeat recap): Rigetti is unprofitable, and its most recently discussed quarter included EPS that beat estimates but revenue that missed expectations (as summarized in that report). [21]
- Forward model pressure (Nasdaq/Zacks framing): expectations cited there imply declining 2025 sales and a larger projected loss per share. [22]
The takeaway: today’s “forecasting” is less about a clean earnings-driven valuation story and more about time horizon. Bulls are underwriting the idea that the company’s hardware roadmap and ecosystem positioning will matter disproportionately later; bears are focused on today’s revenue base and losses.
What to know tonight before the next market open
1) There is no Dec. 25 U.S. market session
If you’re preparing a “tomorrow morning” plan: remember that Thursday, Dec. 25 is a U.S. market holiday. The next regular session is Friday, Dec. 26, and today’s early close/late session rules can distort “after the bell” signals. [23]
2) Watch the quantum peer group for sentiment cues
RGTI tends to trade as part of a basket with other quantum names. Today’s biggest write-ups explicitly bundled the group together (RGTI/QBTS/IONQ), which can reinforce sympathy moves when the market reopens. [24]
3) Know the “battle lines” on the chart—even if you’re not a chart trader
Without drawing charts, the levels still matter:
- Near-term support zone: around today’s low (~$24.04) [25]
- Near-term resistance zone: around today’s high (~$25.22) [26]
- Bigger-picture volatility: MarketBeat’s recap referenced a very wide 52‑week range (low single digits to highs above $50). [27]
In plain English: RGTI is not trading like a stable mega-cap. It’s trading like a high-beta theme stock where positioning can dominate fundamentals for stretches.
4) Treat options “bullish flow” as a clue, not a conclusion
The $35 strike call sweep is notable because it’s specific and dated today—but it doesn’t automatically mean “smart money knows something.” It may reflect tactical exposure into January, a spread, or hedging against another position. [28]
5) Don’t confuse analyst targets with near-term catalysts
Today’s targets and “buy” write-ups can support sentiment, but the next major hard catalyst typically comes from (a) a meaningful contract/customer announcement, (b) a financing/dilution headline, or (c) earnings. Several market calendars point to the next earnings window in early March 2026. [29]
Bottom line for Dec. 24 after-hours: what RGTI investors should carry into Friday’s open
Rigetti finished the holiday-shortened session lower at $24.51, with after-hours quotes hovering around $24.54. The most influential “today” coverage wasn’t a single breaking corporate release; it was a cluster of analyst consensus discussion, theme-stock positioning, and RGTI vs. IONQ debate—plus a sprinkle of options-flow intrigue. [30]
Going into the next open (Friday, Dec. 26), the checklist is straightforward:
- Confirm whether any post-call notes or fresh analyst actions hit tape during the holiday closure. [31]
- Watch the quantum peer group for sentiment direction. [32]
- Expect outsized swings if volume remains thin—especially early in the session after a full-day market holiday. [33]
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.nyse.com, 3. www.investing.com, 4. www.aaii.com, 5. stockanalysis.com, 6. www.investing.com, 7. www.nyse.com, 8. www.marketbeat.com, 9. www.nasdaq.com, 10. www.nasdaq.com, 11. www.nasdaq.com, 12. www.nasdaq.com, 13. www.tipranks.com, 14. www.tipranks.com, 15. www.aaii.com, 16. www.aaii.com, 17. www.benzinga.com, 18. www.tipranks.com, 19. www.marketbeat.com, 20. www.marketbeat.com, 21. www.marketbeat.com, 22. www.nasdaq.com, 23. www.nyse.com, 24. www.tipranks.com, 25. www.aaii.com, 26. www.aaii.com, 27. www.marketbeat.com, 28. www.benzinga.com, 29. www.investing.com, 30. www.investing.com, 31. www.tipranks.com, 32. www.tipranks.com, 33. www.nyse.com
