D-Wave Quantum Says 2 Protocols Are Better Than One, And I Agree: Strong Buy

A $60B Vote of Confidence

D-Wave Quantum Inc. has typically been known for annealing, a unique approach best suited to helping customers solve optimization problems. That sets it apart from other quantum firms. Citing Boston Consulting Group, QBTS says this will amount to $100-$220 billion out of an $800+ billion total quantum market. That sounds like more than a mere "niche." Also, QBTS is going big into the "gate model," the approach used by the other quantum firms. That will let it compete for the entire quantum market. What's more... QBTS is bringing its unique "dual-rail" approach to the gate model. That will help it generate a unique combination of speed and accuracy. Quantum firms typically struggle with that tradeoff. QBTS is already commercial with annealing. As with others doing gate model work, commercialization will take more time. But the dual protocol makes QBTS a standout Strong Buy.

Why Cursor?

I thought I messed up—but actually, I didn’t. As I typically explain in my write-ups, I usually rate stocks "Buy," "Hold," or "Sell." If I rated pursuant to a quant scale, I’d be more comfortable adding "Strong…" But This article was written by Marc Gerstein 8.33K Followers Follow After 43+ years working for one investment research company or another, I finally retired. So now, I’m completely independent. And for the first time on Seeking Alpha, I won’t be working based on anybody else’s product agenda. I have only one goal now… to give you the best actionable investment insights I can.I have long specialized in rules/factor-based equity investing strategies. But I’m different from others who share such backgrounds. I don’t serve the numbers. Instead, the numbers serve me… to inspire HI (Human Intelligence) generated investment stories. I definitely understand quant investing, including factors and what not (AI before it was called AI). But I don't agree with what other quants do. Rather than be obsessed with statistical studies that are no good for any time periods other than the ones studied, I combine factor work with the underlying theories of finance including classic fundamental analysis to get the true story of a company and its stock. Investing is about the future. So numbers (which necessarily live in the past) can take us just so far. They’re at their best when they cue us into stories that shed light on what’s likely to happen in the future. And that’s how I use them,

The Road Ahead

I’ve had a pretty colorful career. Besides a full range of experience covering stocks from lots of different groups (large cap, small cap, micro cap, value, growth, income, special situations … you name it, I covered it) I’ve developed and worked with many different quant models. In addition, I formerly managed a high-yield fixed-income (“junk bond”) fund and conducted research involving quantitative asset allocation strategies such as are at the foundation of what today has come to be known as Robo Advising. I formerly edited and or wrote several stock newsletters, the most noteworthy having been the Forbes Low Priced Stock Report. I previously served as an assistant research director at Value Line.I also have long had a passion for investor education, which has resulted in my having conducted numerous seminars on stock selection and analysis, and the authoring of two books: Screening The Market and The Value Connection.I’m looking forward to my new incarnation on Seeking Alpha. I hope you enjoy what I offer. But if you don’t, feel free to tell me why in the comment sections. I’m a big boy. I can handle criticism. (But please don’t call me “stupid.” That’s my wife’s job!)