Quantum computing stocks were red-hot recently, but Jensen Huang just offered optimistic investors a reality check.

Many quantum computing stocks exploded in value last year as investors hoped to get ahead of the crowd in what could be a transformational wave of new technology. Excitement grew

Quantum computing has the potential of being the next big innovation. At the right size and the right price, it might even be investable.

Quantum computing stocks have been losing ever since Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said widespread applications of quantum computing are still decades away. But investors are rewarding these companies once again on Wednesday after Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) made a statement that starkly differs from Huang’s view on quantum computing.

Though investors saw this as disappointing, there is some reassuring news. Quantum computing is progressing, meaning these companies will likely report accomplishments and milestones in the months and years to come -- and these represent catalysts for quantum computer stocks to climb.