AI data center / AI‑infra names have, on average, been stronger and more stable than the ultra‑speculative quantum‑compute names this year. Quantum stocks have bigger % moonshots but also deeper drawdowns; AI‑infra has led in risk‑adjusted terms and institutional adoption.investing+4
Relative strength: AI data centers vs quantum
AI data centers / infra: Benefiting directly from hyperscalers’ capex boom and visible multi‑year contracts (e.g., APLD–CoreWeave $11B, CIFR–Fluidstack $3B), creating recurring revenue and REIT‑like cash‑flow stories.cnbc+3
Quantum / compute: IonQ, Rigetti, D‑Wave have posted 90–5,700% 1‑yr moves but on tiny revenue bases, with big volatility and frequent 40–60% corrections; market is still pricing more “option value” than durable cash flow.finance.yahoo+3
So if the question is “which engine is driving more durable leadership in 2025?”, AI data centers win; if it’s “where were the biggest raw % rockets?”, quantum wins but with higher topping risk.
Top AI data center / infra price performers (2025, 1‑year)
From sector round‑ups and performance screens, notable leaders include:
APLD – Applied Digital (AI/HPC data centers, ex‑miner) – one of the best small‑cap AI‑DC performers; stock up sharply on AI lease wins and guidance beats, with a 400‑MW, $11B CoreWeave contract anchoring long‑term revenue.finance.yahoo+3
IREN – IREN Limited and CIFR – Cipher Mining (HPC/AI + BTC miners) – large multi‑baggers off 2024 lows as they pivot into AI/HPC capacity alongside mining; performance has been volatile but strongly positive YTD on Nvidia‑driven AI spend.cryptorank+2 Note, IREN did a $2 billion secondary offering on Dec 2 thus its big volume down day. This enables it to scale so is likely a potential entry point but wait first for technical confirmation by way of our buying strategies such as pocket pivot, volume dry up, or undercut & rally.
These sit on top of mega‑cap AI beneficiaries like NVDA, AVGO, DELL, MSFT, AMZN, which also post strong returns but are broader than “pure” data‑center plays.finviz+3
Top quantum / compute performers (for comparison)
IONQ – IonQ – ~+700% 1‑yr at the peak, now well off highs after a sharp correction.spinquanta+2
RGTI – Rigetti – around +1,800–5,700% 1‑yr depending on start date, with violent swings.nasdaq+1
QBTS – D‑Wave Quantum – ~+1,500% 1‑yr, similarly extreme volatility.stockanalysis+2
These have outperformed in raw percentage terms but sit in much earlier, more fragile business phases than the cash‑flowing AI‑infra cohort.
If you’re allocating between them, AI data‑center names currently offer stronger fundamental momentum and somewhat saner volatility, while quantum names are higher‑beta lottery tickets. Strongest of the group is QBTS but it may have topped for good. That said, predictions are always subject to change since price/volume will tell all as the chart unfolds:
Links:
https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/top-5-ai-data-center-stocks-delivering-exceptional-returns-in-2025-according-to-warrenai-93CH-4305809
https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-data-center-stocks
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investing-quantums-next-wave-ionq-200000403.html
https://www.spinquanta.com/news-detail/top-5-quantum-stocks-with-explosive-growth-potential-for-2025
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/biggest-risk-quantum-computing-stocks-ionq-rigetti-computing-and-d-wave-quantum-and-its
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/10/applied-digital-stock-ai-data-center-earnings.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/applied-digital-vs-iren-ai-164500386.html
https://www.reuters.com/technology/applied-digital-beats-revenue-estimates-ai-demand-fuels-data-center-growth-2025-10-09/
https://www.disruptionbanking.com/2025/10/20/from-bitcoin-to-big-data-inside-ciphers-hyperscale-power-play/
https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-quantum-computing-stocks-to-buy
https://www.gainify.io/blog/ai-data-center-stocks
https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/a5dad-public-bitcoin-miners-rally-ai-boosts-market
https://www.sahmcapital.com/news/content/iren-riot-cipher-other-hpc-stocks-climb-after-nvidias-blockbuster-q3-report-2025-11-20
https://finviz.com/news/243853/3-top-artificial-intelligence-ai-stocks-ready-for-a-bull-run
https://www.zacks.com/featured-articles/201/best-ai-stocks-to-buy-now
https://www.ig.com/en/news-and-trade-ideas/best-ai-stocks-to-watch-230622
https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/ionq/history/
https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/qbts/history/
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-ai-data-center-stocks-142800141.html
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2-ai-data-center-stocks-buy-now
https://www.tipranks.com/news/rgti-qbts-ionq-which-is-the-best-quantum-stock-after-q3-results