Quantum computing stocks have seen quite a run-up in recent months, but determining which companies are leading the charge can be tough to navigate.

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

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 has been an up-and-down investment theme over the past few months. The rage kicked off when Alphabet ( GOOG 1.16%) ( GOOGL 1.13%) announced a breakthrough with its Willow quantum computing chip, and any stock associated with quantum computing rose on the news of the announcement.

Jensen Huang’s comments at last week’s CES about quantum computing being decades away stirred up discussion within the quantum industry.

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.

The stock market roared higher last year, and some of the biggest gainers operate in one specific field: artificial intelligence (AI). The technology promises to revolutionize many industries -- from healthcare to automobiles -- with innovations such as AI-powered medical devices and autonomous driving systems.

Stocks and ETFs tied to quantum computing rose significantly Wednesday after Nvidia and Microsoft highlighted the industry's enormous potential.

Quantum computing has been receiving a lot of attention lately as a handful of companies compete to develop some of the most sophisticated computers on the planet. The potential for these computers to dramatically change everything from weather prediction to cybersecurity encryption is high,

Following tech giants such as Amazon (AMZN) and Nvidia (NVDA), enterprise software major SAP (SAP) has also joined the voices making a case for quantum computing. Sounding bullish about the technology,