ASTS vs. QBTS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and QBTS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ASTS’s market capitalization of 15.96 billion USD is substantially larger than QBTS’s 5.19 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 2.02 for ASTS and 1.48 for QBTS, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ASTS | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | D-Wave Quantum Inc. |
| Country | US | CA |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Computer Hardware |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Alan E. Baratz |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 16.79 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 5.19 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 1.48 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | December 11, 2020 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS and QBTS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
QBTS
-227.95%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 123.03%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- -13.44%
- Q1
- -119.16%
- Min
- -227.95%
QBTS has a negative Return on Equity of -227.95%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
QBTS
-22.72%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 30.37%
- Q3
- 20.44%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- -12.47%
- Min
- -31.70%
QBTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -22.72%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
QBTS
-617.83%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 40.72%
- Q3
- 10.87%
- Median
- 4.33%
- Q1
- -378.64%
- Min
- -753.20%
QBTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -617.83%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
QBTS
-332.34%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 13.53%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- -295.01%
- Min
- -592.84%
QBTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -332.34%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | -227.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | -40.54% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | -22.72% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | -617.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | -332.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 83.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
QBTS
20.73
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 20.73
- Q3
- 11.54
- Median
- 2.69
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.73
QBTS’s Current Ratio of 20.73 is in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
QBTS
0.04
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 1.36
- Q3
- 0.67
- Median
- 0.04
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
QBTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 is typical for the Computer Hardware industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
QBTS
-28.05
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 32.50
- Q3
- 21.85
- Median
- 4.98
- Q1
- -7.71
- Min
- -34.24
QBTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -28.05. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 20.73 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 20.61 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | 2.22 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | -28.05 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS and QBTS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
QBTS
0.00%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.24%
- Q3
- 1.58%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
QBTS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
QBTS
0.00%
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 193.79%
- Q3
- 30.72%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
QBTS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
QBTS
-36.44
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 24.60
- Q3
- 24.01
- Median
- 20.31
- Q1
- 18.24
- Min
- 13.38
QBTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -36.44. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
QBTS
1.37
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 9.77
- Q3
- 5.18
- Median
- 1.77
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.02
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Computer Hardware industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
QBTS
242.82
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 57.61
- Q3
- 47.40
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.56
- Min
- 0.43
With a P/S Ratio of 242.82, QBTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Computer Hardware industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
QBTS
23.19
Computer Hardware Industry
- Max
- 21.21
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 9.28
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- 0.43
At 23.19, QBTS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Computer Hardware industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASTS | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | -36.44 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | 1.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 242.82 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 23.19 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | -99.42 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | -36.61 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 228.95 |