Shares of quantum computing companies surged Thursday after the US government awarded grants and took equity stakes: D-Wave closed up 33%, Rigetti 30%, IBM 12% (Chloe Taylor/CNBC)

Chloe Taylor / CNBC: Shares of quantum computing companies surged Thursday after the US government awarded grants and took equity stakes: D-Wave closed up 33%, Rigetti 30%, IBM 12% — Quantum computing shares popped on Thursday, as the U.S. government said it would award $2 billion in grants to nine firms operating in the space.