Alphabet ( GOOGL -2.65%) ( GOOG -2.71%), Google's parent company, has been invested in quantum computing for years, but it recently made an advancement that positioned it as a standout company in the space. Alphabet introduced Willow, a new quantum computing processor it believes is a big step forward.

Quantum computing stocks advanced on Thursday after Microsoft launched a new chip that indicated the technology is not "decades away" as stated by the top boss of AI chip bellwether Nvidia.

D-Wave, Rigetti, and Quantum Computing Inc. are enjoying yet another market boost in the wake of a major announcement from tech giant Microsoft. The stock prices of quantum computing companies are surging in premarket trading this morning after Microsoft unveiled a new type of quantum computing chip yesterday,