Shares of Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) experienced a significant pre-market plunge on Monday, dropping 13.45% following a substantial gain in the previous trading session. This sharp decline appears to be primarily driven by profit-taking after the stock's recent rally.

The pre-market sell-off comes on the heels of a remarkable 26.8% surge in QUBT's stock price during the last trading day. Investors seem to be capitalizing on these gains, leading to a natural correction in the stock's value. This pattern of rapid gains followed by pullbacks is not uncommon in the volatile quantum computing sector, where stock prices can be highly sensitive to market sentiment and industry developments.

While the immediate catalyst for the pre-market plunge appears to be profit-taking, it's worth noting that Quantum Computing Inc. operates in a highly competitive industry. The quantum computing sector is seeing increased activity from various players, including IonQ, D-Wave Quantum, and Rigetti Computing, each employing different technological approaches. This intense competition could be contributing to the stock's volatility as investors reassess the company's position in the evolving quantum computing landscape.