Trending Tickers: $QBTS AT&T Deal, $FBRX Buyout, $META Data Center Deal

This week, several stocks caught investors’ attention, driven by significant developments and market momentum. Here’s the breakdown of this week’s trending stocks:

D-Wave ($QBTS) Expands Quantum Computing Agreement with AT&T

D-Wave Quantum Inc. ($QBTS), a quantum computing company offering both annealing and gate-model quantum systems, software, and services, announced that AT&T has signed an agreement to expand its use of D-Wave’s quantum computing technology to help solve optimization challenges across its network operations.

AT&T’s initial focus is layering D-Wave’s annealing quantum technology into tools that already power its agentic AI systems, which the company said helped reduce customer downtime by 12 million hours in 2025. AT&T believes adding quantum capabilities could further improve those network operations.

In an early test, AT&T used D-Wave’s technology to cut the processing time for a network optimization task from about one hour down to under 15 seconds. Building on that result, AT&T plans to explore applying the technology more broadly to areas like outage detection, technician routing, network build planning, and traffic management as it scales its fiber and 5G network.

AT&T is also evaluating D-Wave’s upcoming gate-model systems for potential use in quantum security and quantum communications, as part of a broader strategy that combines quantum computing, AI, automation, and advanced analytics to modernize its network.

Stock Price Reaction
$QBTS shares rose about 20% following the announcement.

Forte Biosciences ($FBRX) to Be Acquired by Argenx

Forte Biosciences ($FBRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibody treatments for autoimmune diseases, announced that it has agreed to be acquired by argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX) for $77 per share in cash, a deal valued at roughly $2.2 billion.

The price represents a premium of about 86% to Forte’s average share price since it released positive Phase 1b vitiligo trial data on July 9, 2026. The deal builds on an earlier strategic investment argenx had already made in Forte.

The acquisition centers on FB102, Forte’s lead drug candidate, which targets a pathway called CD122 involved in autoimmune conditions. According to the company, FB102 has shown encouraging early results in both vitiligo and celiac disease, and it’s also being explored as a potential treatment for alopecia areata.

The deal will move forward as a cash tender offer for all outstanding Forte shares, followed by a merger. It isn’t contingent on financing, since argenx plans to pay entirely from cash on hand. Both companies’ boards have approved the transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to standard regulatory conditions.

Stock Price Reaction
$FBRX shares rose about 40% following the announcement.

Meta ($META) Partners with BlackRock on Data Center

Meta Platforms ($META), the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced a new venture with BlackRock, Inc. ($BLK) to develop and own a 1-gigawatt data center campus in El Paso, Texas, that will support Meta’s AI infrastructure.

Under the deal, BlackRock-managed funds will hold an 80% stake in the venture, while Meta keeps the remaining 20%. The two sides will together fund about $14 billion in development costs. Meta is contributing land and construction-in-progress assets valued at roughly $2.3 billion, while BlackRock is putting in about $4.9 billion in cash, partly financed through $12.5 billion in debt.

Meta will lease the entire campus once it’s built, with an initial four-year term and options to extend up to 20 years. The company also agreed to residual value guarantees worth up to about $13 billion, a figure that declines over time. According to the companies, the site is expected to start coming online in 2028.

The project represents more than $10 billion in investment from Meta and is expected to support thousands of construction jobs, alongside workforce training programs backed by both companies in the El Paso area.

Stock Price Reaction
$META shares stayed mostly neutral following the announcement.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The content is based on publicly available information and reflects the author’s opinions as of the publication date, which may change without notice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements, including references to projected revenues, market trends, or business developments, are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including regulatory changes, economic conditions, competitive pressures, and unforeseen market fluctuations. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. BBAE holds no position in the securities mentioned, nor are they compensated by the companies mentioned.