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8 Best Quantum Computing Stocks For 2026 U S News

Bonisiwe Shabane
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8 best quantum computing stocks for 2026 u s news

Quantum computing stocks surge 2023–2025; IonQ, Rigetti lead; IBM, Microsoft, Google push milestones into 2026. Quantum computing is rapidly evolving from a lab experiment into a nascent industry, with 2025 marking an inflection point in investment and innovation. Enthusiasm has driven quantum computing stocks sharply higher over the past year – several pure-play quantum companies saw their share prices surge hundreds or even thousands of percent in 2023–2025. This rally reflects optimism about quantum technology’s transformative long-term potential (Boston Consulting Group estimates $450–850 billion in economic value by 2040), even as near-term revenues remain modest.‍ As we approach 2026, a handful of U.S.-based companies stand out for credible progress and significant investment in quantum computing. These include both pure-play quantum computing startups focused on quantum processors, as well as tech giants treating quantum as a strategic R&D priority.

Below, we profile the top publicly traded U.S. companies leading in quantum computing – highlighting each company’s focus in quantum, recent developments (2023–2025), partnerships, analyst sentiment for 2026, and key metrics like market capitalization and stock performance. A comparison table is provided at the end to summarize their market caps, quantum focus areas, and performance outlook. These are dedicated quantum technology firms whose core business is building quantum computers or related quantum systems. They offer the most direct exposure to quantum computing’s growth, though they tend to be early-stage with high volatility and risk. IonQ is a Maryland-based pure-play quantum computing company, founded in 2015 as a spin-out from academic research.

It specializes in trapped-ion quantum processors, which use electrically trapped ytterbium ions as qubits. This approach offers long coherence times and high fidelity at near-room temperatures, avoiding the extreme cryogenics required by superconducting qubits. IonQ provides access to its quantum systems through cloud platforms like Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, positioning itself as a leader in quantum cloud services. Crypto experts who have monitored the situation for decades know that quantum computing is not a cybersecurity threat to take lightly. Regulatory bodies have already moved to suggest mitigation measures, and NIST has finalized its principal set of encryption algorithms. The national security community has also provided a target: The NSA wants all national security systems quantum-resistant by 2035, which pushes procurement today.

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is thus now a product decision. For investors, that turns quantum risk into a near-term demand driver for vendors that can help enterprises migrate cryptography risks and modernize security stacks. Let's explore the landscape of opportunities stemming from addressing these looming cybersecurity gaps. The market for quantum technologies could be as large as $97 billion by 2035, with quantum computing being the biggest share of the market over the next decade. Meanwhile, the industry leans into hybrid workflows where classical systems steer quantum jobs, as seen in IBM’s work on error mitigation at utility scale. The near-term opportunity is less about breaking RSA tomorrow, and more about software, where algorithmic advances are shifting attention from raw qubits to tools and stacks, a trend highlighted by the software pivot in...

Put differently, the investment case for quantum computing stocks in 2026 centers on quantum-safe deployments and real customers rather than science experiments or hyped claims. Cloud vendors and networks are already enabling PQC security measures. Google has enabled hybrid Kyber key exchange in Chrome, and Cloudflare has rolled out post-quantum support to origins. These deployments are not a guarantee of stock returns by investing in solutions vendors, but they validate a market that quantum computing and cybersecurity stocks can sell into. And that market is almost certainly going to be growing. IBM Quick QuoteIBM NVDA Quick QuoteNVDA QTUM Quick QuoteQTUM IONQ Quick QuoteIONQ

For equity investors looking beyond incremental AI investments, quantum computing is emerging as one of the most lucrative opportunities heading into 2026. Industry estimates show the global quantum computing market is expected to grow from $0.8 billion in 2025 to $1.08 billion in 2026, with a projected CAGR of 35.2% through 2035 as enterprises accelerate adoption... McKinsey estimates quantum computing-related revenues could reach up to $72 billion by 2035, driven by applications in optimization, materials science, drug discovery and complex financial modeling. For investors, this growth narrative has already translated into outsized stock performance, with several pure-play quantum stocks delivering quadruple-digit returns during 2024–2025 despite the absence of positive earnings, as revenues scaled from a small... The Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM Quick QuoteQTUM - Free Report) gained 103.9% during this period. In this article, we discuss three stocks- IonQ (IONQ Quick QuoteIONQ - Free Report) , International Business Machines (IBM Quick QuoteIBM - Free Report) and NVIDIA (NVDA Quick QuoteNVDA - Free Report) that are...

While revenues remain modest and profitability elusive, the convergence of accelerating enterprise interest, rising government and corporate funding and visible technical progress is positioning 2026 as a potential inflection year, when valuation dispersion between... For investors willing to tolerate volatility, quantum computing increasingly resembles a high-beta, early-cycle technology bet rather than a distant scientific experiment. Quantum computing is driving the next wave of tech innovation. Investing early in quantum stocks could deliver long-term gains. Top picks include IBM, IonQ, and startups with major potential. Quantum computing is rapidly gaining traction across industries for its ability to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds.

In 2025, numerous tech giants and startups are actively developing quantum hardware and software to meet growing demand. This surge in innovation has caught the attention of investors, many of whom are now channeling funds into the quantum computing space with hopes of tapping into its long-term profit potential. Written by Adam Spatacco for The Motley Fool-> Alphabet's unique business model makes it an attractive opportunity in a complex quantum AI field. Nvidia supplies both hardware and software systems that power quantum computing environments. Amazon has built its own quantum software architecture and custom quantum chips.

Over the last three years, investors have been witnessing how generative artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting businesses and governments. Tools and services introduced by OpenAI and the cloud hyperscalers are improving corporate workflows across every industry.

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Quantum computing stocks surge 2023–2025; IonQ, Rigetti lead; IBM, Microsoft, Google push milestones into 2026. Quantum computing is rapidly evolving from a lab experiment into a nascent industry, with 2025 marking an inflection point in investment and innovation. Enthusiasm has driven quantum computing stocks sharply higher over the past year – several pure-play quantum companies saw their share ...

Below, We Profile The Top Publicly Traded U.S. Companies Leading

Below, we profile the top publicly traded U.S. companies leading in quantum computing – highlighting each company’s focus in quantum, recent developments (2023–2025), partnerships, analyst sentiment for 2026, and key metrics like market capitalization and stock performance. A comparison table is provided at the end to summarize their market caps, quantum focus areas, and performance outlook. These...

It Specializes In Trapped-ion Quantum Processors, Which Use Electrically Trapped

It specializes in trapped-ion quantum processors, which use electrically trapped ytterbium ions as qubits. This approach offers long coherence times and high fidelity at near-room temperatures, avoiding the extreme cryogenics required by superconducting qubits. IonQ provides access to its quantum systems through cloud platforms like Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, positioning its...

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Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is thus now a product decision. For investors, that turns quantum risk into a near-term demand driver for vendors that can help enterprises migrate cryptography risks and modernize security stacks. Let's explore the landscape of opportunities stemming from addressing these looming cybersecurity gaps. The market for quantum technologies could be as large as $97 billi...

Put Differently, The Investment Case For Quantum Computing Stocks In

Put differently, the investment case for quantum computing stocks in 2026 centers on quantum-safe deployments and real customers rather than science experiments or hyped claims. Cloud vendors and networks are already enabling PQC security measures. Google has enabled hybrid Kyber key exchange in Chrome, and Cloudflare has rolled out post-quantum support to origins. These deployments are not a guar...