PLTR vs. QBTS: Palantir vs. D-Wave Quantum Stock Comparison
How do Palantir (PLTR) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Palantir (PLTR) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Palantir (PLTR) is a mega-cap company at 386.44 billion USD, while D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) is mid-cap at 4.05 billion USD — a noticeably different scale category that can shape how their valuation multiples are read.
| Profile Item | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Palantir Technologies Inc. Class A Common Stock | D-Wave Quantum Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Application Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 386.44 billion USD | 4.05 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 30, 2020 | December 11, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -4.94% | -61.09% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 109.97% | 152.63% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 47.47% | 3.13% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 60.50% | 104.32% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.63 | 2.31 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -75.26% | -96.67% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 27.20M | 15.15M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.15 | -0.63 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.24 | -1.00 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) reports a negative ROE of -27.99%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Palantir (PLTR) reports 40.91%, ranking against industry peers normally.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
40.91%
- Max
- 53.85%
- PLTR
- 40.91%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
-27.99%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- QBTS
- -27.99%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Palantir (PLTR) at 50.34% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 0.00% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
50.34%
- PLTR
- 50.34%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 41.17%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) reports a negative operating margin of -1,732.06%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Palantir (PLTR) reports 46.89%, ranking against industry peers normally.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
46.89%
- PLTR
- 46.89%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
-1,732.06%
- Max
- 46.89%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
- QBTS
- -1,732.06%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 40.91% | -27.99% |
| ROA (TTM) | 19.31% | -10.65% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 50.34% | 0.00% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 46.89% | -1,732.06% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 84.74% | 64.19% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 56.18% and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 178.54% are expanding revenue faster than their entire industry benchmark ranges for revenue growth — exceptional top-line momentum on both sides, though growth that far above the peer range is worth checking for one-off boosts such as acquisitions.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Palantir (PLTR) reports EPS growth of 231.06%, ranked against its industry; D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 56.18% | 178.54% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 32.92% | 50.78% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 231.06% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 7.10 and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 20.55 post current ratio above their industries’ typical mid-ranges — short-term liquidity appears comfortable, though unusually high readings can point to idle current assets.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
7.10
- PLTR
- 7.10
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
20.55
- QBTS
- 20.55
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Palantir (PLTR) at 0.02 and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 0.04 keep leverage in the lower quartile of their industries, with less balance-sheet debt relative to equity than most peers.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.02
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- PLTR
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.04
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- QBTS
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 7.10 | 20.55 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -3.08 | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Palantir (PLTR) nor D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Palantir (PLTR) nor D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- QBTS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Palantir (PLTR) trades at 112.94 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) has no P/E ratio this period.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
112.94
- PLTR
- 112.94
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
--
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
- QBTS
- --
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Investors are paying well above the peer range per dollar of sales for both Palantir (PLTR) at 53.02 and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 326.31 — each P/S ratio clears its industry’s benchmark range.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
53.02
- PLTR
- 53.02
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
326.31
- QBTS
- 326.31
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) at 3.67 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 34.41 prices above its benchmark range — PLTR looks rich relative to book.
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
34.41
- PLTR
- 34.41
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
QBTS
Software & Services industry group
3.67
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- QBTS
- 3.67
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PLTR | QBTS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 112.94 | -- |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 53.02 | 326.31 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 34.41 | 3.67 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.69% | -1.81% |