Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI) is ending Monday’s session in the spotlight again—one of several quantum-computing pure plays that have stayed volatile and headline-driven into year-end. After a strong regular-session move, Rigetti traded modestly higher in after-hours action, setting up a closely watched open on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in a holiday-shortened week where liquidity can thin out quickly.
Below is what moved RGTI today, what Wall Street is saying right now, and the concrete catalysts that could shape trading before the opening bell tomorrow.
RGTI stock price after the bell today (Monday, Dec. 22, 2025)
Rigetti shares closed at $26.88, up $3.14 (+13.13%) in Monday’s regular session, after trading between $24.17 and $27.66. Volume was roughly 60 million shares, above the stock’s recent average.
In after-hours trading, RGTI was quoted at $26.94, up $0.06 (+0.22%) as of 6:03 p.m. ET (delayed quote), with after-hours volume around 2.13 million shares. [1]
Why it matters for Tuesday: After-hours price action can hint at sentiment—but with relatively lighter volume than the regular session, the more important question is whether the stock can hold Monday’s gains once full liquidity returns at the open.
What drove Rigetti’s move on Dec. 22: “Quantum momentum” meets fresh Wall Street coverage
1) Wall Street has been re-engaging with quantum pure plays in 2025
A key backdrop is that multiple major firms have initiated or expanded coverage across the quantum sector in 2025, helping pull these names into broader institutional and retail conversations. In that broader coverage wave, Rigetti has drawn more mixed views than some peers, but it has still benefited from the increased attention and the sector’s “next-computing-revolution” narrative. [2]
2) Analyst targets are clustering above current levels—but opinions differ on risk
Recent analyst initiations and price targets remain a major talking point for RGTI traders:
- Wedbush initiated with an Outperform rating and $35 price target (per TipRanks’ summary of recent Street notes). [3]
- Mizuho initiated with a Buy rating and a $50 price target, pointing to Rigetti’s longer-term targets and its cash position. [4]
- Jefferies initiated with a Hold rating and $30 price target, highlighting execution and visibility concerns (including the company’s government exposure). [5]
On the data-provider side, consensus snapshots vary by methodology, but MarketBeat’s roundup also emphasizes that multiple firms have issued targets in the $30–$50 range recently. [6]
Why it matters for Tuesday: When a high-volatility stock is “between targets,” traders often treat analyst price levels (e.g., $30, $35) as psychological magnets—especially around catalysts like macro data and options expirations.
The hidden accelerant today: options activity surged in RGTI
One of the most concrete “today” signals came from the derivatives market.
A Nasdaq options-activity report flagged that RGTI options volume reached 151,787 contracts on Monday—about 41% of the stock’s average daily share volume (as framed by the report). The single most active contract highlighted was the $27 strike call expiring Dec. 26, 2025, with 9,405 contracts traded (representing about 940,500 shares of notional exposure). [7]
Why it matters for Tuesday:
Heavy call activity near the current share price can increase the odds of sharp, mechanically-driven moves (up or down) if market makers need to hedge quickly—especially in a thin holiday week. With RGTI closing just under $27, that $27 strike is now a key “line in the sand” traders will watch into Tuesday.
The broader market backdrop: tech tailwinds, thin holiday liquidity, and key data ahead
Rigetti didn’t trade in a vacuum on Monday.
U.S. stocks rose to start the week, with tech leadership and an upbeat risk tone helping support speculative corners of the market. Reuters also noted that trading volumes were already lighter than usual and are expected to thin further into Christmas, with U.S. stock markets closing early Wednesday and closed Thursday for Christmas. [8]
The NYSE’s official schedule confirms an early close on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 (1:00 p.m. ET; options typically stop later in the early-close session). [9]
Nasdaq’s market schedule likewise lists Dec. 24, 2025 as an early close and Dec. 25 as closed. [10]
Why it matters for Tuesday:
Holiday tape can exaggerate moves—particularly in high-beta names like RGTI—because fewer participants can mean bigger price impact from the same order flow.
What to watch before the market opens tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025)
Here’s the most practical checklist for the Tuesday open—focused on catalysts that can realistically move RGTI in the next 12–18 hours.
1) Scheduled U.S. economic releases on Tuesday morning
According to the New York Fed’s Economic Indicators Calendar, Tuesday includes several major reports:
- 8:30 a.m. ET:Gross Domestic Product (3rd release) [11]
- 10:00 a.m. ET:Consumer Confidence [12]
- 10:00 a.m. ET:New Residential Sales [13]
- 10:00 a.m. ET:Richmond Fed Survey of Manufacturing Activity [14]
Why it matters for RGTI:
Rigetti trades more like a “long-duration” speculative tech name than a mature cash-flow company. Macro data that shifts expectations about growth, inflation, or rates can quickly change risk appetite—especially in a week where liquidity is thinner.
2) Key price levels set up by Monday’s action
Even without doing “charting,” these are the levels traders are likely to discuss:
- $27.66 = Monday’s intraday high (near-term resistance).
- ~$27 = options “gravity” level given the heavy $27 call activity for this week. [15]
- $24.17 = Monday’s intraday low (near-term support).
- $23.76 = the prior close cited by MarketBeat (another support reference for traders watching a “gap-fill” scenario). [16]
3) Analyst narratives that can move the stock even without new company news
Two themes matter most going into Tuesday:
- “Cash runway” confidence: TipRanks’ summary highlights commentary that Rigetti’s cash position could support operations for years, a frequent point in bull cases for pre-profit quantum firms. [17]
- Execution skepticism: The bear case remains centered on delivery risk, roadmap timing, and limited near-term visibility—especially where revenue mix is perceived to lean on government business. [18]
4) Short interest and squeeze dynamics
MarketBeat’s short-interest page lists Rigetti short interest at 43.49 million shares, about 13.18% of the public float (as of Nov. 28, 2025), with a days-to-cover figure around 1.1. [19]
Why it matters for Tuesday:
High short interest doesn’t guarantee a squeeze—but in a stock with strong retail participation and heavy options flow, it can amplify upside and downside moves when momentum turns.
5) Next known “hard catalyst”: earnings timing
Rigetti has not confirmed a next earnings date in all venues, but Zacks’ earnings calendar lists an expected next report date of March 4, 2026. [20]
MarketBeat also describes March 4, 2026 as an estimated date based on historical reporting patterns (not a confirmed announcement). [21]
Why it matters now:
Between now and the next earnings window, price action may be disproportionately driven by sentiment, analyst notes, and sector headlines—rather than incremental fundamental updates.
The near-term bull case vs. bear case heading into Tuesday’s open
Bull case (what optimists are leaning on right now)
- Analyst targets imply upside: Some recent targets (e.g., $35 and $50) sit meaningfully above Monday’s close. [22]
- “Quantum adoption” timeline narrative: Street research and sector commentary increasingly frames quantum as a long-run compute theme, even while acknowledging volatility and long timelines. [23]
- Options-driven momentum: With elevated call activity near $27, a strong open could feed follow-through buying. [24]
Bear case (what skeptics will point to tomorrow morning)
- Commercialization is still early: Even proponents of quantum see the space as volatile and milestone-driven, not revenue-driven today. [25]
- Execution risk: Some analysts highlight that consistent delivery matters after prior roadmap delays and that visibility can be limited by government dependence. [26]
- Holiday tape risk: Thin liquidity can cut both ways—sharp upside spikes can reverse just as quickly. [27]
Bottom line for the Tuesday, Dec. 23 open
Rigetti (RGTI) goes into Tuesday with a clean headline: a double-digit gain at the close and a slightly higher after-hours quote. [28] The more important setup is underneath: unusually heavy options activity (especially around $27) and a market environment where macro data hits in the morning and liquidity is already thinning into an early-close Wednesday. [29]
If you’re watching RGTI into the open, the “must-know” is that Tuesday’s move may be less about new company headlines and more about (1) macro data, (2) sector sentiment, and (3) options/positioning mechanics—the combination that tends to produce the biggest swings in quantum pure plays.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. www.investors.com, 3. www.tipranks.com, 4. www.tipranks.com, 5. www.tipranks.com, 6. www.marketbeat.com, 7. www.nasdaq.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.nyse.com, 10. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 11. www.newyorkfed.org, 12. www.newyorkfed.org, 13. www.newyorkfed.org, 14. www.newyorkfed.org, 15. www.nasdaq.com, 16. www.marketbeat.com, 17. www.tipranks.com, 18. www.tipranks.com, 19. www.marketbeat.com, 20. www.zacks.com, 21. www.marketbeat.com, 22. www.tipranks.com, 23. www.investors.com, 24. www.nasdaq.com, 25. www.investors.com, 26. www.tipranks.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.marketwatch.com, 29. www.nasdaq.com
