There are four main publicly-traded quantum computing companies, and they all have one thing in common: In the last 14 months, all of them have been the target of activist investors shorting their stock.This isn’t totally surprising. All four companies—D-Wave Quantum, IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and Quantum Computing Inc.—have market caps in the billions of dollars, which in no way reflect the modest revenues generated by their day-to-day businesses.Alan Baratz, CEO of the 27-year-old Palo Alto, California-bas ...

D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) was one of the hottest quantum computing companies last year, with its share price rising 211%. But it hasn't had a good start to 2026, falling 25% as of Feb. 13. The company will report fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings on Feb. 26 before the market opens. While playing earnings is popular, especially with volatile stocks like this one, you may want to think twice if you're considering D-Wave in hopes of positive results this time. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our ...

D-Wave and QCi logos over quantum chips in a data center, highlighting quantum computing stocks and AI demand. Key Points Despite recent successes, D-Wave Quantum shares are down by about 30% year-to-date, part of a broader sell-off in the quantum space. While most pure-play quantum firms have been heavily impacted by the dip, rival Quantum Computing has fallen by less than some of its peers. However, despite outperforming others in the industry, Quantum Computing carries heavy risks for investors asso ...

IonQ is my top quantum computing pick.Quantum computing is the next big thing in the tech realm. While artificial intelligence (AI) investing is undoubtedly the king, quantum computing appears to be the next technology in line, barring another technology emerging that is unknown to most. By getting into the best quantum computing stocks before this tech becomes mainstream, you can maximize your returns, but the key is buying the right one.My top quantum computing stock to buy in February is IonQ (IONQ +8.98 ...

Core Insights - Investors in 2026 are focused on established AI leaders like NVIDIA for capital allocation, benefiting from AI infrastructure spending, with projected fiscal 2026 revenue near $213 billion driven by GPU platforms and software ecosystems [1] - The discussion centers on whether to invest in emerging AI companies with rapid monetization or speculative quantum computing firms with potential high returns [2] AI Companies - SoundHound AI reported a 68% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, with guidance suggesting nearly 98% annual growth, despite ongoing net losses as it invests in product scaling [5] - Marvell's revenue for Q2 fiscal 2026 reached $2.006 billion, a 58% increase year-over-year, with its data center segment contributing approximately 74% of total revenue, showcasing strong demand for AI infrastructure [6][7] - SoundHound AI is expected to achieve earnings growth of 56.9% on revenue growth of 38.3% in 2026, while Marvell anticipates earnings growth of 23.3% on revenue growth of 22.8% in fiscal 2027 [5][6] Quantum Computing Companies - IonQ reported a 222% revenue growth in Q3 2025, reaching $39.9 million, and holds $3.5 billion in cash after a $2 billion equity raise, indicating strong financial positioning for R&D [7][8] - D-Wave's Q3 2025 revenue doubled to $3.7 million, with a cash balance of $836 million, reflecting strong liquidity despite ongoing net losses [9] - IonQ is projected to achieve earnings growth of 65.8% on revenue growth of 38.3% in 2026, while D-Wave expects earnings growth of 8.7% on revenue growth of 67.8% [8][9] Comparative Analysis - SoundHound AI and Marvell are generating significant revenue tied to enterprise deployments, while IonQ and D-Wave are still in early revenue stages and heavily focused on R&D [13] - Valuation frameworks differ, with AI infrastructure companies evaluated on revenue durability and margin trajectory, while quantum firms are assessed based on technical milestones and commercialization potential [14]

Group 1 - The S&P 500 has achieved double-digit gains for three consecutive years, driven by strong performance in AI and quantum computing stocks [1] - Despite strong earnings from tech companies like Meta Platforms and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, the overall market momentum has slowed due to concerns about interest rate cuts and AI growth expectations [2][5] - The S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio has surpassed 39, a level previously seen before the dot-com bubble burst, indicating potential valuation concerns [6] Group 2 - The Federal Reserve's recent decision to hold interest rates steady has contributed to market uncertainty, negatively impacting stock performance [4] - Ongoing high spending on AI by major tech firms has raised investor worries, leading to a lack of significant upward movement in the S&P 500 [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses Amazon's recent investment in IonQ, a quantum computing company, while cautioning investors to temper their expectations regarding the potential of quantum computing stocks [5][18]. Investment Activity - Amazon has opened a new position in IonQ, purchasing 6,671 shares worth nearly $300,000 during the fourth quarter [9][12]. - This investment comes after Amazon previously sold its entire stake of 854,207 shares in IonQ during the third quarter, suggesting a strategy to capitalize on short-term gains [11][12]. Market Potential - The quantum computing market is projected to represent a global opportunity ranging from $450 billion to $850 billion by 2040, indicating significant potential for growth [7]. - The excitement around quantum computing stocks is fueled by substantial returns, with companies like IonQ experiencing trailing 12-month returns between 670% and 6,217% [8]. Competitive Landscape - Major tech companies, including Amazon and Microsoft, are developing their own quantum processing units (QPUs), which could threaten IonQ's market position [17][18]. - The barrier to entry in quantum computing is lower than perceived, making IonQ's leadership position precarious [18]. Financial Performance - IonQ currently has a market capitalization of $12 billion, but it is not generating recurring profits and is expected to continue losing money in the near future [16]. - Analysts predict that it will take several years before quantum computers become more cost-effective than classical computers for practical applications [16].

Group 1: Company Performance - D-Wave Quantum has experienced a significant revenue increase, doubling its revenue in Q3 2025 to $3.7 million, with a consensus estimate of $25.6 million for the entire year [4] - The projected revenue for 2026 is nearly $43 million, representing a 68% increase from 2025 [4] - Despite rising sales, D-Wave is expected to continue facing substantial losses, with a net loss of $140 million in Q3 compared to sales of $3.7 million [6] Group 2: Share Price and Market Sentiment - D-Wave's share price has surged 255% over the past year but is predicted to decline due to a broader trend of investors moving away from riskier stocks [1][8] - The company's stock has already decreased by 35% over the past three months, influenced by investor concerns over geopolitical instability and economic conditions [8][9] - D-Wave's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio stands at 237, significantly higher than the tech sector average of 8, indicating that the stock may be overvalued [11]

Core Viewpoint - Quantum Computing Inc. is attempting to differentiate itself in the quantum computing sector by focusing on immediate revenue-generating products rather than solely on building powerful quantum computers, but there are concerns about the company's financial health and management credibility [2][4]. Financial Performance - The company generated approximately $546,000 in revenue over the last 12 months, which is minimal compared to its market capitalization of $1.87 billion [6]. - Quantum Computing is spending tens of millions annually on development, with $555 million in cash reserves providing some financial stability [7]. - The company has issued over $840 million in additional common stock in the past year, indicating a willingness to dilute shareholder equity [8]. Management and Communication - The management of Quantum Computing has been criticized for making significant claims that are not well-supported, often overstating the company's capabilities [9]. - The company tends to issue press releases that imply more substantial commercial relationships than exist, with most contracts being one-off research grants rather than sustainable commercial agreements [10]. Market Outlook - There is a belief that Quantum Computing stock may significantly underperform the market, with concerns that it could potentially decline to zero [11].

Core Viewpoint - IonQ's stock has experienced a decline of 2.5% over the past week, with a significant drop of 27% since its $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology in January, despite Wall Street's bullish outlook on the company [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - IonQ shares closed at $34.11 on Friday, marking a year-to-date loss of 24% and trading 33% below its starting price in 2026 [1]. - The stock has seen a 33% decline over the past month, with a beta of 2.6 indicating it moves more than twice as much as the broader market [1]. - Despite the recent downturn, IonQ has outperformed many of its quantum peers [1]. Group 2: Short-Seller Report and Legal Investigation - A report from Wolfpack Research on February 6 raised concerns about IonQ's revenue methodology and reliance on U.S. defense funding, leading to an 11% drop in stock price [1]. - Following the report, a securities fraud investigation was initiated by law firm Ademi LLP, focusing on potential revenue inflation and insider trading related to nearly $400 million in stock sales by executives [1]. - Short interest in IonQ has increased to 78.18 million shares, representing 22.77% of tradable shares, up 10.32% since the last report [1]. Group 3: Acquisition of SkyWater Technology - IonQ announced the acquisition of SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion in cash and stock, aiming to create a vertically integrated quantum platform [1]. - The market reacted negatively, with shares down 28% from the closing price before the acquisition announcement, driven by concerns over cash burn, dilution, and execution risk [1]. - IonQ's stock trades at 57.3 times forward sales, significantly higher than the industry average of 4.9 times, raising questions about its ability to maintain revenue while integrating multiple acquisitions [1]. Group 4: Upcoming Earnings and Analyst Outlook - Analysts maintain a consensus Moderate Buy rating for IonQ, with an average price target of $75.91, suggesting a potential upside of 127% [1]. - Cantor Fitzgerald and Rosenblatt Securities have set price targets of $70 and $100, respectively, despite the stock trading at 141 times sales and burning $408 million in EBITDA annually [1]. - IonQ projects full-year 2025 revenue of $106 to $110 million, indicating a year-over-year growth of 113%, with expectations to reach $192 million in 2026 and $316 million in 2027 [1].