IONQ Stock Before Q3 Earnings: Should You Buy Now or Wait?

Core Insights - IonQ (IONQ) is set to release its third-quarter 2025 results, with investor optimism rising due to rapid strategic execution, leading to a 53.3% stock increase in Q3 [1][8] - The company is expected to continue expanding its quantum footprint globally, supported by an accelerated technology roadmap and strategic acquisitions [2] Financial Performance - IonQ's third-quarter EPS consensus estimate remains unchanged at a loss of 24 cents per share, with revenues expected at $27.02 million, reflecting a 117.9% year-over-year growth [6][8] - For 2025, IonQ anticipates a 115.1% revenue increase year-over-year, with an expected loss improvement to 97 cents per share from a loss of $1.56 a year ago [7] Revenue and Ecosystem Growth - IonQ's Q2 performance highlighted strong commercial traction with revenues of $20.7 million, exceeding guidance by 15%, and new global partnerships contributing to revenue growth [9][11] - The third quarter is expected to benefit from these partnerships and the expansion of cloud-accessible quantum hardware and networking offerings [9] Investment and Cost Structure - IonQ's operating costs rose 201% year-over-year, with R&D expenses surging 231%, indicating a heavy investment in technology and acquisitions [11][12] - The company aims to achieve significant milestones in quantum technology by 2025, including increasing qubit counts and expanding networking capabilities [11] Competitive Positioning - In Q3 2025, competitors like Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum are also experiencing growth, with Rigetti securing purchase orders and D-Wave launching new quantum computers [14][15][16] Valuation - IonQ's stock is trading at a high forward price-to-sales ratio of 72.54, significantly above the industry average of 4.56, indicating potential risk for a sharp pullback if results disappoint [19] Final Take - While IonQ's global expansion and advancements in quantum networking are promising, ongoing operating losses and high stock valuation raise concerns for investors [20]