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 Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum is experiencing a surge in stock prices due to government momentum and potential adoption of its Advantage2 technology, which could lead to significant upside for investors [1] Group 1: Government Adoption - Government adoption of quantum technology is seen as a key driver for D-Wave's stock performance, indicating a growing interest and investment in the sector [1] - The potential for government contracts and partnerships could unlock substantial financial opportunities for D-Wave [1] Group 2: Advantage2 Technology - The Advantage2 quantum computing system is highlighted as a pivotal factor that could enhance D-Wave's market position and drive stock prices higher [1] - The technology's capabilities may attract more clients and applications, further boosting revenue potential [1] Group 3: Financial Conditions - Specific financial conditions must be met for D-Wave to realize its potential upside, suggesting that investors should monitor the company's financial health closely [1] - Understanding the financial metrics and performance indicators will be crucial for assessing the investment opportunity [1]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum has established itself as a leading player in the quantum computing sector, with significant stock performance and positive analyst coverage driving investor interest [1][2]. Stock Performance - D-Wave's stock rose 15.4% in December, despite volatility in growth stocks, and continued to show bullish momentum into January with a 10% increase [1][6]. - The current stock price is $28.80, with a market capitalization of $9.8 billion [4]. Analyst Coverage - Mizuho initiated coverage on D-Wave with an outperform rating and a one-year price target of $46 per share, citing strengths in quantum-annealing technologies and growth potential through acquisitions [5]. - Jefferies also initiated coverage with a buy rating, emphasizing the rising demand for quantum-computing technologies as a benefit for D-Wave [6]. - Rosenblatt reiterated a buy rating and increased its one-year price target to $43 per share, highlighting the acquisition of Quantum Circuits as a strategic move [8]. Strategic Developments - D-Wave formed a U.S. government business unit, which could lead to significant government contracts and long-term sales growth [3]. - The company announced a breakthrough in scalable on-chip cryogenic control of qubits, indicating potential applications beyond its current technology [7]. - D-Wave is acquiring Quantum Circuits for $550 million, expected to close soon, which is anticipated to enhance its error-correction performance [7][9].

Core Insights - Nvidia is actively involved in quantum computing, providing essential infrastructure and software to support hybrid quantum systems, which enhance AI capabilities in complex applications like drug discovery and materials science [1][7] - The company has launched NVQLink, an architecture that connects GPUs to Quantum Processing Units (QPUs), facilitating real-time tasks essential for practical quantum computing [7][8] - Nvidia's market cap is currently $4.49 trillion, making it the most valuable company globally, with a strong focus on AI and quantum computing as key growth areas [3] Nvidia's Financial Performance - In Q3, Nvidia reported record revenue of $57 billion, a 22% increase from the previous quarter and a 62.5% year-over-year growth, with earnings of $1.30 per share [9] - The data center segment generated $51.2 billion in revenue, up 25% sequentially and 66% year-over-year, driven by accelerated computing and AI applications [9] - Analysts project a 61.68% year-over-year increase in profit to $7.59 per share for fiscal 2027, with revenue expected to grow 50.30% to $320.5 billion [10] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" for Nvidia, with 44 out of 48 analysts recommending it, and a mean price target of $256, indicating a 38.5% upside potential [11] Quantum Computing Industry Overview - Quantum computing is evolving into a transformative technology with significant commercial implications, shifting focus from its feasibility to identifying beneficiaries as commercialization progresses [6] - Companies like Amazon and D-Wave Quantum are also positioned to capitalize on quantum computing advancements, with Amazon integrating quantum solutions into its AWS platform and D-Wave being a pure-play quantum computing provider [4][20] D-Wave Quantum's Performance - D-Wave Quantum reported a 100% increase in revenue to $3.7 million in Q3, driven by system upgrades and professional services, although it faced a widening net loss of $140 million [23] - Analysts expect D-Wave's revenue to jump 55.46% year-over-year to $39.82 million in FY26, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" among analysts [24][26] Amazon's Quantum Computing Strategy - Amazon is leveraging its AWS platform to lead in quantum computing commercialization, offering a cloud-based quantum research platform and developing its own quantum chip, Ocelot [14][15] - The company reported a 13.4% year-over-year increase in total net sales to $180.2 billion in Q3, with AWS generating $33 billion in revenue, up 20% year-over-year [17] - Analysts forecast an 11.19% year-over-year increase in Amazon's GAAP EPS to $7.86 for 2026, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" [18][19]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) is gaining significant investor interest due to its unique position in developing both annealing and gate model quantum computers, which allows it to capture the entire quantum market opportunity [1] - The company anticipates that 2025 will be a pivotal year, with key product development milestones expected to play a central role in its growth [1] Product Developments - D-Wave launched Advantage2 in May, an energy-efficient annealing quantum computer designed to solve complex problems that classical computers cannot handle, with applications in optimization, material simulation, and AI [2] - The Advantage2 system is operational at Davidson Technologies in Huntsville, AL, focusing on U.S. government mission-critical issues, particularly in national defense [2] - D-Wave has completed the fabrication of fluxonium qubit chips and superconducting control chips, working towards scalable control of gate model qubits, which could provide a competitive edge [3] - The fabrication of Advantage3 prototype chips is nearing completion, with circuit testing expected soon, focusing on innovation and scaling towards 100,000 qubits [4][8] Market Performance - Over the past 12 months, QBTS shares have increased by 172.2%, significantly outperforming the broader Internet Software industry's 6.8% rise, the Computer and Technology sector's 26.3% increase, and the S&P 500's 19% gain [7] - Currently, QBTS shares are trading at a forward price/book (P/B) ratio of 13.49X, which is below its median but above the industry average of 6.01X [9] Peer Updates - IonQ (IONQ) has extended its strategic partnership with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information and is set to deliver a 100-qubit IonQ Tempo quantum system [5] - Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) has signed an agreement to acquire Luminar Semiconductor, Inc. for $110 million, which will enhance its portfolio and support its growth [6]

Core Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum has significantly outperformed IonQ in stock performance this year, with a 200% increase compared to IonQ's 10% gain, raising questions about which company will excel by 2026 [2] D-Wave Quantum - D-Wave employs quantum annealing technology, a specialized process for optimization, contrasting with the more general-purpose gate-based systems used by most competitors [3] - The company has transitioned from proof-of-concept to commercial viability with its Advantage2 quantum computer, achieving a revenue of $3.7 million in Q3, doubling from the previous year, and securing $2.4 million in bookings [4] - D-Wave has over 100 paying customers, including more than 20 from the Forbes Global 2000, and recently signed a 10 million euro deal for the Advantage2 system in Europe [4] - In addition to annealing, D-Wave is developing a gate-based system using flux-based qubits, providing investors with multiple avenues for growth [5] IonQ - IonQ utilizes a gate-based approach with trapped-ion technology, employing stable ytterbium and barium atoms, which enhances the reliability of its systems [6] - The company has achieved a remarkable 99.99% gate fidelity, making it one of the most accurate quantum computing technologies available [7] - IonQ's focus on trapped-ion technology positions it uniquely within the quantum computing landscape, despite the speculative nature of both companies [8]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) and IonQ (IONQ) are positioned uniquely in the quantum computing sector as 2026 approaches, with distinct investment narratives emerging from their respective performances and strategies [1][3]. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) - D-Wave has demonstrated strong commercial momentum, with third-quarter results showing revenue and gross profit more than doubling year over year, and cash balances reaching over $836 million [1][7]. - The Advantage2 system is operational for enterprise and government users, with significant contracts, including a €10 million installation in Europe expected to contribute to revenues starting in 2026 [5]. - Management emphasizes a strong pipeline with larger average deal sizes and over $100 million in annual QCaaS revenue capacity, positioning 2026 as a monetization year rather than purely focused on R&D [6]. - Despite the positive outlook, QBTS faces execution risks due to revenue concentration from specific system sales, which may lead to uneven bookings and revenue timing [10]. - Analysts project a revenue growth of 61.1% for QBTS in 2026, with an expected earnings growth of 7% [9][14]. IonQ (IONQ) - IonQ has reported gains through strategic partnerships and deployments, including the delivery of its 100-qubit Tempo system to South Korea's KISTI, enhancing its global market penetration [2]. - The Tempo system, achieving AQ 64 and 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, is expected to drive revenue growth as it demonstrates measurable quantum advantage in various applications [11]. - IonQ's transformation into a full quantum platform company, including acquisitions and government engagement, expands its addressable market and supports sustained growth despite ongoing operating losses [12]. - IonQ is projected to achieve revenue growth of 83.3% in 2026, with an expected earnings growth of 65.8% [9][14]. Comparative Performance - Year-to-date, QBTS stock has surged 227.6%, significantly outperforming IONQ's 19.2% gain, reflecting divergent investor sentiment due to differences in near-term commercial execution [3]. - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), but IonQ is viewed as having stronger long-term upside potential due to its technical advancements and substantial cash reserves [17].

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]

We recently published 10 Stocks Shining Bright Amid Wall Street’s Dull Spell. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS) is one of the top performers on Tuesday. D-Wave Quantum bounced back on Tuesday from two straight days of losses, jumping 7.50 percent to finish at $25.52 apiece as investors took heart from an investment firm’s bullish stance for the stock. In a market report, Jefferies issued a “buy” recommendation on shares of D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS), alongside a price target of $45. The figure marked ...

Core Insights - The year 2025 has seen significant advancements in quantum computing, with clearer engineering roadmaps and major capital commitments from key players like IBM and Amazon [1][2] - Investor expectations have shifted towards near-term commercialization, with increased capital deployment anticipated in 2026 [3] Company Developments - IBM launched a new quantum data center and outlined a multi-year plan for fault-tolerant systems, boosting market confidence [1] - Amazon's AWS introduced the Ocelot quantum chip, which aims to reduce error-correction overhead by up to 90% [1] - Honeywell's Quantinuum raised approximately $600 million, achieving a valuation close to $10 billion, supported by a DARPA contract [2] - Google's 105-qubit Willow chip achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating a quantum advantage, reportedly 13,000 times faster than classical supercomputers for molecular simulations [2] - IonQ reported a remarkable 222% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 2025, achieving a world-record 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity [7][10] - D-Wave's Advantage2 system, a 4,400+ qubit quantum computer, became available for real-world applications, with revenues increasing by 100% year-over-year [11][12] Market Trends - The momentum in quantum computing suggests a rise in customer engagements and collaborations between industry and government, particularly in materials science and pharmaceuticals [3] - Both IonQ and D-Wave are projected to experience strong earnings and sales growth in 2026, reflecting the active progress made in 2025 [9][13] Financial Performance - IonQ's stock has gained 26.1% year-to-date, with expectations of 66.2% earnings growth and 69% sales growth in 2026 [10] - D-Wave's stock surged 221.4% year-to-date, with projected earnings growth of 9.3% and sales growth of 61.3% in 2026 [13]