2025 Winners: Quantum, Nuclear Stocks Pull Back

Markets have pulled back from some of 2025’s biggest winners — notably quantum and nuclear stocks and precious metals — in moves analysts attribute to profit-taking, technical selling and stretched valuations rather than sudden fundamental shifts. High-fliers illustrate the reversal: Oklo rallied nearly 700% earlier in 2025 before falling roughly 30%, and D-Wave, after rallying hundreds of percent, is down about 30%; gold also posted its worst single-day drop since 2013. Independent research provider StockStory warns investors to be skeptical of bullish Wall Street price targets because of analysts’ commercial incentives and flags many small-cap names as risky, citing examples such as Lucky Strike, Jack in the Box, Edgewell, Beyond Meat and Sphere Entertainment. StockStory and other sector-focused coverage highlight a smaller group with stronger fundamentals, including Target Hospitality and Mirion. The takeaway: elevated valuations leave stocks vulnerable to modest disappointments, so prioritize independent due diligence, be wary of speculative names, and expect continued volatility as earnings and technicals drive market moves.