University of Kwazulu-Natal

Top 3 Quantum Computing Stocks For 2026 Finbold

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
top 3 quantum computing stocks for 2026 finbold

Quantum computing is entering a more consequential phase as the industry moves toward 2026. In this case, after years of heavy research spending and experimental deployments, the focus is shifting to scalability, real-world applications, and national strategic priorities. At the same time, governments are increasing funding as quantum technology becomes central to national security and AI sovereignty, while enterprises are beginning to test quantum tools for optimization problems that exceed classical limits. The sector is also drawing investor interest, with a small group of companies demonstrating proven technical capability, commercial traction, and financial strength. IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) enters 2026 with one of the most complete growth profiles in the sector. Through its acquisition of Oxford Ionics, the company is advancing high-fidelity trapped-ion systems beyond 64 qubits, strengthening its position as a scalable, pure-play hardware provider.

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 gained 103.9% during this period. In this article, we discuss three stocks- IonQ IONQ, International Business Machines IBM and NVIDIA NVDA that are expected to deliver significant gains in 2026, banking on accelerating quantum adoption, expanding commercial pipelines and...

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. Capital deployment into the sector is surging, with quantum funding more than doubling year over year in 2025. Going by SPINQ, total equity funding reached $3.77 billion across the first three quarters of 2025, positioning quantum computing among the fastest-growing deep-tech segments globally and setting the stage for further capital inflows in... Article: As we look ahead to 2026, the field of quantum computing is poised to take significant steps forward. While the hype around quantum computing may have quieted down in recent months, this could actually present a favorable opportunity for savvy investors to explore top-tier stocks in the industry.

Stock prices in this sector are often influenced by hype, and a low hype cycle can create attractive buying opportunities. Experts caution that we may not see quantum computing systems deliver widespread real-world benefits over traditional computers until around 2030. This timeline suggests that investors interested in this emerging industry should consider spreading their investments across multiple companies. Diversification can involve established businesses that have a foothold in quantum computing, as well as riskier quantum computing pure plays. Alphabet, a tech giant known for its dominance in various sectors, has been making strides in quantum computing. The company’s recent announcement about its Willow chip showcasing a verifiable quantum computing advantage is a significant milestone.

With Alphabet’s strong financial position and diverse business portfolio, it stands out as a top pick for investors seeking exposure to quantum technology. Nvidia, a leader in graphics processing units, is taking a different approach to quantum computing. While not directly competing with other quantum computing companies, Nvidia is focusing on maximizing its GPUs and developing interfaces for hybrid systems that combine traditional and quantum computers. This strategic positioning makes Nvidia a compelling investment as it bridges the gap between old and new technologies. IonQ, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming player in the quantum computing space, betting on its unique trapped ion qubits technology. With a focus on accuracy over speed, IonQ has achieved remarkable success in two-qubit gate fidelity, surpassing its competitors.

This innovative approach positions IonQ as a promising contender to deliver practical applications in quantum computing. 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 gained 103.9% during this period.

In this article, we discuss three stocks- IonQ IONQ, International Business Machines IBM and NVIDIA NVDA that are expected to deliver significant gains in 2026, banking on accelerating quantum adoption, expanding commercial pipelines and... 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. Capital deployment into the sector is surging, with quantum funding more than doubling year over year in 2025. Going by SPINQ, total equity funding reached $3.77 billion across the first three quarters of 2025, positioning quantum computing among the fastest-growing deep-tech segments globally and setting the stage for further capital inflows in... The global quantum computing market is projected to grow from $0.8 billion in 2025 to $1.08 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.2% through 2035, as industries like finance...

By 2035, McKinsey estimates that revenues from quantum computing could reach up to $72 billion, driven by applications in optimization and drug discovery. In 2025 alone, quantum funding surged, reaching $3.77 billion in the first three quarters, more than doubling year-over-year, indicating a rapidly growing sector. Key players in quantum technology include IonQ, IBM, and NVIDIA, which are expected to see significant growth by 2026. IonQ focuses on trapped-ion qubits and aims to achieve systems with 256+ physical qubits by then, projecting earnings growth of 65.8% and revenue growth of 83.3%. IBM has introduced a 120-qubit Quantum Nighthawk processor, targeting improved integration with classical computing by the end of 2026, with projected earnings growth of 7.5%. NVIDIA is enhancing hybrid quantum-classical computing with its CUDA-Q platform and plans to expand its research capabilities, expecting earnings growth of 55%.

Governments are also stepping up investments, committing around $1.8 billion to quantum initiatives in 2024, with cumulative global public funding reaching $10 billion by early 2025. The U.S. plans to allocate over $2.5 billion in federal quantum funding from 2026 to 2030, signaling a strong backing for quantum development and potential returns for strategic investors. Daily stocks & crypto headlines, free to your inbox By continuing, I agree to the Market Data Terms of Service and Privacy Statement

People Also Search

Quantum Computing Is Entering A More Consequential Phase As The

Quantum computing is entering a more consequential phase as the industry moves toward 2026. In this case, after years of heavy research spending and experimental deployments, the focus is shifting to scalability, real-world applications, and national strategic priorities. At the same time, governments are increasing funding as quantum technology becomes central to national security and AI sovereig...

For Equity Investors Looking Beyond Incremental AI Investments, Quantum Computing

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 com...

While Revenues Remain Modest And Profitability Elusive, The Convergence Of

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 rath...

Stock Prices In This Sector Are Often Influenced By Hype,

Stock prices in this sector are often influenced by hype, and a low hype cycle can create attractive buying opportunities. Experts caution that we may not see quantum computing systems deliver widespread real-world benefits over traditional computers until around 2030. This timeline suggests that investors interested in this emerging industry should consider spreading their investments across mult...

With Alphabet’s Strong Financial Position And Diverse Business Portfolio, It

With Alphabet’s strong financial position and diverse business portfolio, it stands out as a top pick for investors seeking exposure to quantum technology. Nvidia, a leader in graphics processing units, is taking a different approach to quantum computing. While not directly competing with other quantum computing companies, Nvidia is focusing on maximizing its GPUs and developing interfaces for hyb...