We recently compiled a list of the 15 Best Strong Buy Tech Stocks to Invest In. The fifteenth stock on our list of best Strong Buy stocks is D-Wave Quantum Inc. TheFly reported on January 29 that Canaccord raised its price target on QBTS to $43 from $41 and maintained a Buy rating. The firm cited confidence in QBTS’s continued leadership in quantum annealing and its growing potential in developing error-corrected superconducting gate model systems. Canaccord Cites Leadership in Quantum Annealing Supporti ...

Core Insights - IonQ's 2026 outlook is driven by the commercialization of next-generation quantum computing systems and the expansion of a full-stack quantum platform, broadening its addressable market [1] Group 1: Technological Advancements - In Q3 2025, IonQ achieved its AQ 64 milestone on the Tempo platform three months ahead of schedule, with a record-breaking 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, significantly reducing error-correction requirements [2][10] - IonQ plans to integrate Oxford Ionics' Electronic Qubit Control (EQC) architecture into a 256-qubit system, enhancing scalability, reliability, and unit economics [3][10] Group 2: Market Expansion - IonQ is evolving into a full-stack quantum platform that includes computing, networking, sensing, and cybersecurity, with acquisitions like Vector Atomic and ID Quantique expanding its reach into defense and critical infrastructure markets [4][10] - Strategic partnerships in Europe and Asia, along with collaborations in biotech, are expected to create multi-year, solutions-oriented revenue opportunities for IonQ [4] Group 3: Competitive Positioning - The two growth pillars of technological leadership and market expansion position IonQ to convert its advancements into sustained commercial traction in 2026 [5]

Company Overview - D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) is a notable player in the quantum computing sector with a market capitalization of $10 billion, attracting investors due to its smaller size and growth potential [1] - The company is not pursuing a general-purpose quantum computing model but is focusing on quantum annealing technology, which optimizes solutions by finding the lowest energy state in a system [6] Industry Context - Quantum computing is a complex technology that utilizes qubits, allowing for multiple calculation paths, unlike traditional bits which are limited to binary states [3] - The competition in the quantum computing field is intense, with significant risks involved, making it a challenging investment area [2] - DARPA has been involved in selecting technologies for military applications, and while D-Wave did not apply for a significant contract, it has been forming partnerships with major manufacturing companies [4][7]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum Inc. plans to acquire Quantum Circuits Inc. for $550 million, marking a significant step in solidifying its leadership in quantum computing [3] - The acquisition is aimed at expanding D-Wave's technological capabilities beyond quantum annealing to include gate-model approaches, enhancing the range of use cases for its quantum systems [4] Financial Position - D-Wave reported over $800 million in cash reserves in its Q2 2025 earnings, which has led to speculation about potential acquisitions [3] - The acquisition of Quantum Circuits will utilize part of D-Wave's $836 million cash reserves, indicating a strategic investment in growth [8] Competitive Landscape - D-Wave has historically lagged behind competitors like Rigetti Computing in developing gate-model technology, and this acquisition is expected to help close that gap [6] - Quantum Circuits is recognized for its dual-rail technology, which allows for higher-quality qubits and reduced resource requirements, positioning D-Wave to enhance its competitive edge [7] Future Prospects - D-Wave anticipates launching a dual-rail quantum system commercially in 2026, which could further solidify its market position [7]

Core Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum has emerged as a leader in the quantum computing sector, with its stock surging nearly 200% over the past year, driven by industry trends and company-specific developments [1]. Industry Overview - The quantum computing industry gained momentum in late 2024 following Google's announcement of a new quantum chip, which sparked investor interest in potential commercialization [3]. - Speculation about U.S. government support for quantum technology, particularly in light of geopolitical concerns, has further fueled investor enthusiasm [4][5]. Company Positioning - D-Wave Quantum differentiates itself by focusing on quantum annealing, a specific technology for solving optimization problems, unlike competitors like Google and IBM that pursue general-purpose quantum computing [6]. - The company plans to adopt a "picks-and-shovels" strategy by selling pre-built quantum annealing devices to enterprise clients [7]. Financial Performance - D-Wave Quantum reported a 100% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $3.5 million, with notable clients in both public and private sectors [8]. - Despite the growth, the company's revenue remains modest relative to its $10 billion market cap, and it reported a significant operating loss of $27.7 million in the third quarter [9]. - The company holds $836.2 million in cash and equivalents, providing a buffer against immediate financial distress, but lacks a clear path to profitability [9]. Future Outlook - The quantum industry is expected to continue generating hype in 2026, with ongoing technological advancements and potential government initiatives to maintain U.S. leadership [10]. - D-Wave's stock is currently valued at a high price-to-sales ratio of 383, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 3.4, suggesting that investors may need to be cautious before committing [11].

Group 1: Market Performance - Throughout 2025, quantum computing stocks, particularly D-Wave Quantum, IonQ, and Rigetti Computing, have significantly outperformed the S&P 500, with D-Wave Quantum achieving a remarkable 256% gain, making it the top-performing quantum computing stock [1] - D-Wave Quantum's market capitalization currently stands at $10.5 billion, with a notably high price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 363, raising questions about its valuation [6] Group 2: Technology Overview - Quantum computers utilize qubits, which can represent values as probability amplitudes, unlike classical computers that use binary bits [2] - D-Wave Quantum employs a technology called quantum annealing, which analyzes potential arrangements of qubits to find optimal configurations for specific problems, making it particularly suited for optimization tasks in logistics, manufacturing, route planning, and inventory management [4][5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Various companies are exploring different methods for creating and manipulating qubits, with IonQ focusing on trapped ion systems and Rigetti utilizing superconducting qubits [3] - Despite D-Wave's strong performance, historical trends suggest that a sharp correction could occur in its stock price in 2026, indicating potential volatility in the quantum computing sector [7]

Core Insights - IBM's quantum computing roadmap indicates the first fault-tolerant quantum computer may arrive in 2029, potentially marking the sector's growth [1] - Quantum error correction (QEC) is crucial for transforming fragile physical qubits into reliable logical qubits, enabling quantum advantage over classical computing [2] Company Summaries Honeywell International Inc. - Honeywell is not typically viewed as a quantum computing company but has significant advantages, including its role in the military industrial complex and aerospace systems [2] - The Aerospace Technologies division accounted for approximately 42% of Honeywell's total revenue in Q3 2025, generating $4.5 billion, a 15% year-over-year increase, from a total revenue of $10.4 billion [3] - Honeywell holds a majority stake in Quantinuum, valued at $10 billion after a $600 million fundraising round, with Quantinuum's Helios being touted as the most accurate quantum computer [4] - Helios achieved a single-qubit gate fidelity of 99.9975% using 98 physical qubits, providing 94 logical qubits for operations [5] - Honeywell's stock (HON) is down 5.5% year-to-date, with a current price of $199.32 and a consensus target of $235.95 per share, indicating potential for optimal exposure entry [7] D-Wave Quantum - D-Wave offers an alternative quantum approach using quantum annealers for optimization solutions, contrasting with companies pursuing universal quantum computers [8] - The quantum annealing process finds the global minimum energy state of a problem, which corresponds to the optimal solution for combinatorial optimization challenges [9] - D-Wave's cash position increased significantly to $836.2 million in Q3 2025 from $29.3 million a year prior, supporting its hybrid approach to quantum computing [12] - The current price of QBTS shares is $24.38, below the bottom price target of $35, with an average price target of $39.64 per share [13] IonQ Inc. - IonQ focuses on trapped-ion qubits, which have higher coherence times and lower error rates, similar to Honeywell's Quantinuum [14] - IonQ has developed a commercial portfolio, progressing from the Aria system with 25 algorithmic qubits to the Tempo system targeting 100 qubits with 99.9% fidelity [15] - IonQ has secured partnerships with notable organizations such as Hyundai and AstraZeneca, and is involved in DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative [16] - With $3.5 billion in net cash as of Q3, IonQ is the most funded among quantum-focused companies, with analysts bullish on its stock, currently priced at $47.12, close to its bottom target of $47 and an average target of $75.50 per share [17]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 totaled $3.7 million, an increase of approximately $1.8 million or 100% from Q3 2024 revenue of $1.9 million [26] - GAAP gross profit for Q3 2025 was $2.7 million, an increase of $1.7 million or 156% from Q3 2024 gross profit of $1 million [30] - Net loss for Q3 2025 was $140.8 million, or $0.41 per share, compared with a net loss of $22.7 million or $0.11 per share in Q3 2024 [31] - Adjusted net loss for Q3 2025 was $18.1 million or $0.05 per share, a decrease of $5.1 million or $0.07 per share compared to Q3 2024 [32] - Cash balance as of September 30, 2025, was $836.2 million, representing a 2,700% increase from $29.3 million a year earlier [41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q3 2025 revenue comprised $1.8 million in systems revenue, $1.4 million in QCAS revenue, and $500,000 in professional services revenue [27] - Bookings for Q3 2025 totaled $2.4 million, an increase of approximately $100,000 or 3% compared to Q3 2024 bookings of $2.3 million [27] - Year-to-date revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $21.8 million, an increase of $15.3 million or 235% from $6.5 million for the same period in 2024 [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company signed a EUR 10 million agreement to place a D-Wave Advantage II system in Europe, which will be reflected in Q4 bookings [27] - Over the most recent four quarters, D-Wave had over 100 revenue-generating customers, including approximately two dozen Forbes Global 2000 companies [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - D-Wave is focused on commercializing its quantum computing technology, emphasizing customer success and sales as key to business growth [5][6] - The company aims to be the first independent, publicly held quantum computing company to achieve sustained profitability [42] - D-Wave is pursuing superconducting technology for both annealing and gate model quantum computers, believing it will provide a competitive advantage [15][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the U.S. government is beginning to recognize the value of D-Wave's systems for solving real-world problems, marking a shift in attention [48] - The company is optimistic about its ability to secure more government contracts and expand its market presence [48] - Management highlighted the importance of transitioning applications into production to drive future revenue growth [72] Other Important Information - D-Wave's Advantage II system has been recognized for demonstrating quantum supremacy on a useful real-world problem [19][20] - The company is exploring innovative deployment models, such as the Q Alliance deal, which could serve as a blueprint for future agreements [66] Q&A Session Summary Question: Significance of U.S. government attention - Management emphasized that D-Wave's approach differs from other quantum companies, focusing on delivering value rather than seeking R&D funding [48] Question: Details on Gate model product and timeline - The company is using superconducting technology for its Gate model quantum computer, with a timeline for demonstration expected within the next year [54] Question: Davidson relationship and national security initiatives - Management stated that they are working on securing the system for classified applications, potentially making it the first quantum computer certified for such use [58] Question: Q Alliance transaction details - Management did not disclose specific purchase details but indicated that the €10 million contract does not imply a simple doubling for the full system purchase [62] Question: Investment in R&D and operational expectations - Management confirmed an expected 15% increase in operating expenses, primarily in R&D, with a focus on accelerating the Gate model program [71]

Core Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum Inc. has experienced significant stock price increases, with shares rising over 243% year-to-date and nearly doubling in the last month, although concerns about its commercial viability persist [1][4][11]. Financial Performance - D-Wave reported a year-over-year revenue increase of approximately 42% for the last quarter, amounting to just over $3 million, despite wider-than-expected losses per share and a 44% increase in adjusted EBITDA losses [9][10]. - The company has a notably high price/sales ratio of 1,279.8, indicating it may be overvalued compared to its earnings and sales history [2][11]. Technological Developments - D-Wave is focusing on developing gate model technology in addition to its quantum annealing technology, aiming for a more diversified technological approach [6]. - Successful partnerships with companies such as Verge Ag, Japan Tobacco, and North Wales Police demonstrate the practical applications of D-Wave's quantum annealing technology [8]. Market Position and Competition - The commercialization potential of D-Wave remains uncertain, with analysts predicting a potential share price correction of nearly 40% due to overvaluation concerns [4][11]. - Competitors like Rigetti Computing have also seen substantial stock price increases, with Rigetti's shares rising over 5,100% in the past year, intensifying competition in the quantum computing space [12]. Analyst Sentiment - D-Wave currently holds a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, but it is not included in the list of top stocks recommended by leading analysts, suggesting a cautious outlook [14].

Core Insights - Quantum computing is a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to transform various industries, presenting unique investment opportunities in companies like Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) aiming to establish a trillion-dollar market [1] Company Strategies - Rigetti is focused on superconducting qubits and a modular chiplet architecture, striving for universal, gate-based quantum machines, while D-Wave specializes in quantum annealing, targeting optimization problems for enterprise clients [2][7] - Rigetti's recent advancements include the Cepheus-1-36Q system, which has improved two-qubit error rates and achieved a median gate fidelity of approximately 99.5% [5][6] - D-Wave's Advantage2 system emphasizes higher qubit counts and improved performance, with a focus on immediate enterprise adoption and practical applications [8][12] Financial Performance - RGTI shares have increased by 110.3% year-to-date, while QBTS shares have surged by 213.5% [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RGTI's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year decline of 19.65%, with a projected loss per share of 9 cents [14] - Conversely, QBTS is expected to see a year-over-year sales growth of 181.5% for 2025, with a projected loss per share of 24 cents [17] Market Positioning - Rigetti relies heavily on government contracts for revenue, recently securing a $5.8 million contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory [9] - D-Wave focuses on enterprise adoption, implementing pilot programs across various industries, which provides more immediate revenue visibility [10] - Rigetti's roadmap includes plans for a 100+ qubit system by the end of 2025 and a $250 million partnership with Quanta Computer to scale production [11] Investment Considerations - Rigetti holds a stronger growth and momentum profile, with a Growth Score of 'C' and a Momentum Score of 'A', while D-Wave has a Growth Score of 'F' and a Momentum Score of 'D' [21] - Both companies currently carry a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating that investors may want to wait for clearer catalysts before making investment decisions [21][22]