New grants in four additional jurisdictions complete global patent protection for Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR), a core enabler of hardware-agnostic quantum applicationsBOSTON, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zapata Quantum (OTC: ZPTA) (“Zapata”, “Zapata Quantum” or the “Company”), a pioneer in quantum computing application and algorithm development, today announced that its patent for Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR) has been granted in Canada, Europe, Israel, and Australia, in addit ...

Core Insights - The AI-driven rally in technology stocks has raised concerns about valuations, particularly highlighted by Microsoft's Q2 earnings report, which led to a nearly 12% stock drop due to high capital expenditures and Azure's revenue growth being slightly above expectations [1] - The correction in technology stocks is viewed as a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors, especially in the quantum computing sector, which is projected to grow significantly from $4 billion in 2024 to $72 billion by 2035, and potentially to $97 billion when including quantum communication and sensing [2] Company Insights - D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) is recognized as a leading developer of quantum computing systems, claiming to be the first commercial supplier of quantum computers and the only one offering dual-platform quantum computing technologies [4] - Despite recent market corrections, QBTS stock has experienced a remarkable 245% increase over the past 52 weeks, driven by its growth potential in a significant addressable market [5] - QBTS stock currently has a price-to-sales ratio of 255.9 and a price-to-book value of 11.98, indicating a stretched valuation, but the company is at a growth inflection point that may lead to meaningful changes in these metrics [7] - For Q3 2025, D-Wave reported revenue of $3.7 million, reflecting a 100% year-over-year increase, with strong bookings suggesting continued robust top-line growth; the company has a cash buffer of $836 million, providing ample resources for growth and innovation [8]

Core Insights - IonQ currently holds the most accurate quantum computing solution based on a key metric, specifically a two-qubit gate accuracy rate of 99.99% [3][7][8] - The excitement around quantum computing has fluctuated, with significant peaks in December 2024 and October 2025, but has recently declined, presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors [2] - IonQ's shares have decreased by over 50% from their peak, making it an attractive option in the quantum computing sector despite the presence of larger competitors [3][4] Company Overview - IonQ is a smaller pure-play company in the quantum computing field, competing against larger tech firms with substantial R&D resources [3] - The current market capitalization of IonQ is $14 billion, with a current share price of $38.56 [4] - The company's gross margin is reported at -747.41%, indicating significant financial challenges [5] Industry Context - Most companies in the quantum computing sector anticipate that 2030 will be the year when the technology becomes commercially viable, with current challenges centered around error prevention and correction [5] - Quantum computers are currently trillions of times more likely to produce errors compared to classical computers, complicating their practical application [6] - IonQ's trapped ion quantum computers are leading in addressing error rates, with a notable accuracy advantage over competitors [7][8] Investment Perspective - IonQ is considered a strong candidate for investment in the quantum computing space, although there is a risk of being outperformed by larger tech companies like Alphabet or Microsoft [9] - The investment in IonQ represents a small portion (1%) of the total portfolio, minimizing potential impact on overall returns while allowing for significant upside if the company succeeds [9]

Core Insights - Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) has completed the acquisition of Luminar Semiconductor, Inc. for $110 million, marking a significant step in its strategy to become a vertically integrated provider of photonics and quantum technology [1][2][3] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is expected to enhance QCi's technology roadmap and add annual revenue to its financial profile [2] - LSI will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of QCi, maintaining its commercial relationships in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, which provide near-term revenue visibility [5] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The acquisition allows QCi to integrate its thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform with LSI's capabilities in lasers, detectors, and manufacturing, enabling end-to-end control of photonic system design [3] - This integration positions QCi to deliver chip-scale quantum hardware that operates at room temperature, moving away from large cryogenic systems [3] Group 3: Market Positioning - The transaction aligns with U.S. demand for domestic technology solutions and reshoring initiatives, enhancing QCi's ability to serve government and defense-related customers [4] - QCi aims to leverage LSI's experience and extensive patent portfolio to advance its quantum innovations from technology to scalable manufacturing [5]

Core Insights - IonQ's fifth-generation quantum system, Tempo, achieved a qubit score of 64, increasing computational capacity by nearly 260 million times compared to its previous system, Forte, with plans to reach 256 qubits by 2026 and up to two million by 2030 [1] - IonQ reported a record revenue of $39.9 million in Q3, representing a 222% year-over-year growth, indicating strong commercial traction in the quantum computing sector [2] - The company is valued at $14.2 billion and focuses on universal quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security solutions for various industries [4] Company Developments - IonQ completed the acquisition of Oxford Ionics, enhancing its Electronic Qubit Control architecture and improving scalability and cost-effectiveness [1] - The company also acquired Vector Atomic, a leader in quantum sensing technology [1] - IonQ collaborated with Nvidia, Amazon, and AstraZeneca, achieving a 20x speedup in computational drug research [6] Financial Performance - IonQ's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was -$48.9 million, primarily due to R&D spending, which management views as necessary for long-term leadership [7] - The company ended the quarter with $1.5 billion in cash, which increased to $3.5 billion after a $2 billion capital raise in October, maintaining a zero-debt balance sheet [6] Market Position - The quantum computing market is projected to reach $12.6 billion by 2032, with IonQ positioning itself as a leading player in this emerging industry [5] - Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for IonQ, with an average price target of $75.50, suggesting an 88.8% upside potential [9]

Core Insights - The quantum computing sector experienced significant volatility in January 2026, with major players like IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum facing substantial sell-offs due to broader tech market jitters and risk-off sentiment [1][4][5] Market Performance - In January, IonQ's stock declined by 10.9%, while Rigetti and D-Wave saw larger drops of 18% and 18.9%, respectively [2][8] Market Drivers - The sell-off was primarily driven by uncertainty surrounding interest rates, as central banks indicated that rate cuts would be slower and more dependent on economic data, leading to reduced attractiveness of long-duration assets [4][5] - Geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts and trade pressures, raised concerns about supply chains and capital spending, prompting investors to shift towards defensive sectors [5] February Outlook - For February 2026, selective stabilization is anticipated rather than a broad-based rebound, with stock-specific developments becoming increasingly important [6] - IonQ's announcement of a $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater provided a temporary boost in sentiment, with analysts projecting a 74.61% increase in price target from its last closing price of $43.24 [7][8] - D-Wave reported $30 million in contracts and growing traction for its Advantage2 system, which helped stabilize its shares, with an average price target increase of 73.8% from its last closing price of $23.22 [9] - Rigetti, however, lacks near-term catalysts, making it more vulnerable to macro sentiment, with an average price target increase of 103% from its last closing price of $19.85 [10] Valuation Sensitivity - Valuations for quantum pure plays remain highly sensitive to interest-rate expectations and overall risk appetite, limiting upside potential unless macro conditions improve significantly [15]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum Inc. has had a significant year, highlighted by a $550 million acquisition of Quantum Circuits, enhancing its capabilities in gate-model quantum technology [4] - Despite the acquisition, D-Wave's stock (QBTS) has seen a 27% decline year to date, raising concerns about its ability to grow sales and achieve profitability [5] - The company announced two major contracts worth $30 million, which may help alleviate investor concerns regarding revenue generation [8] Company Developments - The acquisition of Quantum Circuits is expected to position D-Wave as a leading player in the quantum computing sector, although it raises concerns about potential dilution due to $330 million in shelf registrations [4] - D-Wave's revenue growth has been modest, with a reported revenue of $3.7 million in Q3 2025, despite a year-over-year increase of over 100% [6] - The nature of D-Wave's contracts is under scrutiny; while one-off system sales boost revenue, they do not provide recurring income, which is essential for long-term growth [7] Sales and Revenue - The two new contracts include a $20 million deal with Florida Atlantic University for an Advantage2 annealing computer and a $10 million contract for quantum-computing-as-a-service tools with a Fortune 100 company [5][8] - The QCaaS contract is seen as a potential avenue for recurring revenue, which could lead to further contracts and growth opportunities for D-Wave [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Quantum stocks, particularly IonQ, have experienced significant declines due to market aversion to high-risk tech stocks following disappointing quarterly results from Microsoft [1] Company Overview - IonQ specializes in producing and marketing quantum technologies, including quantum computers and related software [2] - The company has made several acquisitions recently, including Seed Innovation and an agreement to purchase Skywater Technology for approximately $1.8 billion, which is expected to accelerate product launches and expand customer reach [2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, IonQ's revenue reached $39.87 million, reflecting a 92.7% increase compared to the same quarter the previous year [3] - However, the company reported a net loss of $1.05 billion, a significant increase from a loss of $52.5 million in Q3 2024 [3] Market Position and Valuation - Analysts project that IonQ's per-share loss will decrease to -$1.74 this year from -$5.08 in 2025 [4] - IonQ has a market capitalization of $13.9 billion and a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 124x, indicating a high valuation despite recent stock declines [4] Industry Insights - Major tech companies, including Microsoft, Alphabet, and IBM, are heavily investing in quantum technology, with the quantum market projected to grow from $4 billion in 2024 to $72 billion by 2035 according to McKinsey [6]

Core Insights - IBM is a long-established company that has successfully adapted to new technologies, particularly in quantum computing, positioning itself as a leader in the field [1][2] Company Overview - IBM was founded in 1911 and has maintained its reputation for innovation despite its age [1] - The company is recognized for its significant resources and reputation in the quantum computing sector, outpacing competitors like Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum [2] Quantum Computing Technology - Quantum computers utilize quantum bits (qubits) to perform complex calculations, differing fundamentally from classical computers that use binary bits [5][6] - Qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing quantum computers to solve problems much faster than classical computers, although they are not suited for everyday tasks [7] IBM's Quantum Capabilities - IBM currently offers 2,299 qubits for customer use and possesses the largest quantum computer with 1,121 qubits [8] - The Nighthawk quantum processor, IBM's latest innovation, features a scalable 120-qubit design that enhances complexity by 30% compared to its predecessor, the Heron chip [9] - The Nighthawk chip also boasts a 20% increase in inter-qubit connections, enabling it to handle larger and more complex workloads [10]

A 股量子计算：政策与市场驱动下的实锤玩家图谱据光子盒公众号数据显示，2024 年全球量子计算产 业规模达 50.37 亿美元，预计 2030 年将激增至 2199.78 亿美元，2027-2029 年将成为关键爆发节点。在 国内，"十五五" 规划将量子科技列为战略产业，300 亿元专项研发资金落地，A 股企业已在量子计算全 产业链形成多点突破，从软件算法到核心硬件均涌现出具备明确技术与产品支撑的实锤参与者。 科大国创：量子软件领航者，生态协同筑壁垒作为源自中国科学技术大学的高科技企业，科大国创通过 "技术研发 + 资本参股 + 场景落地" 三重路径深度参与量子计算产业。在核心技术研发上，公司自主打 造 "九章" 量子编程框架，其量子化学模拟精度较 IBM 的 Qiskit 工具链高出 30%，还开发专用量子编程 语言 QCAML，技术实力获国际对标认可。 技术协同方面，科大国创与中科大共建智能计算联合实验室，参与 "祖冲之三号" 超导量子计算机的量 子纠错算法研发，实现前沿科研与工程化落地的无缝衔接。资本布局上，公司参股国仪量子 （2.75%）、本源量子（3.08%）等头部企业，构建 "科大系" 量子生态闭 ...