In this article, we will look at the 10 Stocks That Will Go To The Moon in 2026.2026 is said to be an inflection point in the AI trade. To discuss this, Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities, joined CNBC television on December 20. He noted that analysts like himself believe 2026 to be an inflection point mainly due to the monetization of the AI revolution, particularly on the software side. Ives highlighted that the use cases of AI have now started to present themselves in software offerings and agentic products.Ive ...

Core Insights - IonQ's shares have increased by over 62% in the past year, prompting investor interest in potential investments [1] - The company has made significant technological advancements and is progressing towards ambitious goals, raising questions about the timing for investment [3] Financial Performance - IonQ reported a 222% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 fiscal 2025, reaching $39.9 million, which is nearly 37% above the company's guidance [4] - The company has a pro forma cash balance of $3.5 billion and no debt, providing financial flexibility for R&D, acquisitions, and expansion [4] Market Position and Achievements - IonQ's market capitalization stands at $18 billion, with a current stock price of $52.41 [5] - The company achieved a world record of 99.99% two-qubit fidelity, a crucial milestone towards building a fault-tolerant quantum system [6] - IonQ's flagship Tempo system has an algorithmic qubit score of 64, indicating strong performance in solving complex quantum problems [7] - The Forte Enterprise system, with an AQ 36 score, is now available on Amazon Braket and IonQ Quantum Cloud, potentially generating recurring revenue [7] Strategic Developments - IonQ has expanded its capabilities in quantum networking, sensing, and security through acquisitions, including Oxford Ionics, Vector Atomic, and a controlling stake in ID Quantique [7] - Despite these advancements, the commercial adoption of quantum technology may take time, which could lead to prolonged unprofitability [8]

Core Insights - IonQ is set to hold its analyst day on September 12, focusing on its strategic direction and technological advancements in quantum computing [1] - The company is working towards achieving AQ 64, a significant technical milestone that will enhance its quantum computing capabilities [2] - IonQ's acquisition strategy includes companies in the quantum networking space, supporting its vision for a quantum internet infrastructure [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 of 2025, IonQ reported revenue of $20.7 million, exceeding management's forecast by 15% [5] - The company secured a $1 billion equity investment from Susquehanna, marking the largest single institutional investment in quantum computing history [5] Strategic Developments - IonQ sold its Forte Enterprise system to EPB, making it the first commercial customer to operate a quantum network and quantum computer [4] - CEO Niccolo de Masi's appointment as chairman reflects board confidence in his vision for an integrated quantum ecosystem [6] - IonQ has completed acquisitions of LightSync and Capella, with a pending acquisition of Oxford Ionics, which boasts a world-record 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity [7] Future Projections - IonQ aims to project 10,000 physical qubits on a single chip by 2027 and scale to two million physical qubits and 80,000 logical qubits by 2030, surpassing competitors like IBM [7]

Core Insights - Quantum computing companies are positioned to benefit from the growth of the AI market due to their ability to process data faster and more efficiently than traditional computers [2][3] - Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) and IonQ are two notable players in the quantum computing space, with QCi's stock increasing by nearly 2,280% and IonQ's by over 510% in the past year [3] Company Comparisons - QCi focuses on developing photonic chips that operate at room temperature and are produced using conventional chip manufacturing processes, while IonQ produces trapped ion chips and builds its own quantum systems [7][8] - QCi's business model is still in its early stages, with projected revenue of $400,000 in 2025 and expected growth to $1.85 billion by 2027, despite a net loss of $39 million in 2025 [10][11] - IonQ's revenue is expected to grow from $43 million in 2024 to $315 million by 2027, although it will face increasing net losses from $332 million to $552 million during the same period [12] Future Projections - IonQ aims to significantly increase its quantum computing power, projecting algorithmic qubits (AQ) to rise from 64-100 AQ in 2025 to 2 million AQ by 2030 [13] - IonQ's integration of Nvidia's CUDA platform into its quantum systems is expected to enhance its capabilities for AI applications [14] Investment Considerations - QCi's stock is currently valued at over 1,300 times its projected revenue for 2027, making it a high-risk investment, while IonQ is valued at just over 40 times its estimated sales for the same year, presenting a more reasonable investment opportunity [15]

Core Insights - Quantum computing stocks, particularly IonQ, may offer better long-term investment potential compared to lottery tickets, which have extremely low odds of winning [1][6]. Industry Overview - The quantum computing market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.8% from 2024 to 2032, driven by advancements in technology that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of quantum chips [8]. - Traditional computers use binary bits, while quantum computers utilize "qubits," allowing for faster data processing, although they currently face challenges such as size, cost, and error rates [7]. Company Profile: IonQ - IonQ is a leading player in the quantum computing sector, with its stock having increased by 475% over the past year, although it still trades about 20% below its all-time high [6]. - The company employs "trapped ion" technology, which isolates ions using electromagnetic fields, claiming to be more efficient and less error-prone than other methods [9]. - IonQ offers three quantum computing systems: Aria, Forte, and the upcoming Tempo, which is expected to launch by the end of the year [10]. Financial Projections - Analysts forecast IonQ's revenue to grow from $43 million in 2024 to $315 million by 2027 as its technology gains traction across various industries [12]. - IonQ's integration with Nvidia's CUDA platform positions it well within the expanding artificial intelligence market [12]. Investment Considerations - IonQ has a market capitalization of $12.85 billion and is valued at over 40 times its projected sales for 2027, indicating a high-risk investment profile [13]. - Despite its unprofitability in the near term, investing in IonQ could yield significant long-term rewards compared to the cost of purchasing lottery tickets [14].

Core Insights - Rigetti Computing (RGTI) is making significant strides in bridging the gap between advanced quantum hardware and practical applications, with the Ankaa system being pivotal to this progress [1][6] - The company has introduced a 36-qubit chiplet-based architecture achieving 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity, effectively reducing error rates by half compared to previous generations [1][6] - Rigetti plans to scale this architecture to over 100 qubits by the end of 2025, indicating a feasible roadmap for commercial-grade quantum workloads [1] Product Developments - The Ankaa-2 system, featuring 84 qubits and 98% median two-qubit fidelity, was made publicly available on Amazon Braket in mid-2024, marking a transition from lab testing to real-world application [2] - Rigetti, in collaboration with Riverlane, demonstrated real-time quantum error correction on Ankaa-2 with decoding speeds under one microsecond, a crucial advancement towards fault-tolerance [2] Competitive Landscape - IBM's Quantum System Two, launched in December 2023, represents a significant advancement in modularity and scalability, with its first international deployment at RIKEN in Japan in mid-2025 [3] - IonQ has launched its Forte Enterprise system, now available through AWS Braket, focusing on algorithmic performance and strong coherence, providing a clearer path to scaling compared to peers still in pilot stages [4] Financial Performance - RGTI shares have declined by 3.7% year-to-date, contrasting with the industry growth of 15.6% [5] - The company has a price-to-book ratio of 20.32, which is above the industry average, and carries a Value Score of F [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti's 2025 earnings suggests a substantial increase of 86.1% compared to the previous year [10]

Core Viewpoint - IonQ, Inc. is poised for significant growth as it prepares to report its second-quarter 2025 earnings, following a series of strategic achievements and a strong first quarter performance [2][12]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, IonQ reported revenues of $7.57 million, a slight year-over-year decline of 0.2%, but above prior guidance, with a loss of 14 cents per share, an improvement from a 19-cent loss per share the previous year [2][5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q2 2025 indicates an expected revenue of $17.02 million, reflecting a 49.6% year-over-year growth, with an EPS loss estimate of 13 cents, improving from an 18-cent loss a year ago [4][5]. - For the full year 2025, IonQ anticipates a 97.3% increase in revenues, with a projected loss narrowing to 60 cents per share from $1.56 the previous year [5][6]. Strategic Initiatives - IonQ's Q2 revenue expectations are set between $16 million and $18 million, driven by a $22 million sale of the Forte Enterprise system to EPB of Chattanooga, marking a significant commercial deployment [7][8]. - The acquisition of ID Quantique is expected to contribute to revenue starting in Q2, enhancing IonQ's capabilities in secure quantum communications and networking [8][9]. - The company is focused on delivering AQ 64 and advancing its Tempo system, which is crucial for transitioning to commercially viable quantum computing solutions [10]. Market Position and Competition - IonQ's stock has seen a 28.9% increase over the past three months, outperforming both the Zacks Computer-Integrated Systems industry and the broader technology sector [15]. - Despite its strong performance, IonQ faces challenges from major competitors like IBM and Microsoft, which have robust quantum computing roadmaps and extensive resources [21][22]. Valuation and Investor Sentiment - IonQ's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio stands at 92.09, significantly higher than the industry average of 3.79, raising concerns about whether the stock has priced in too much of its long-term potential [18]. - The company is still in the early stages of commercial development, with high cash burn and execution risks that may test investor patience [20][22].

Core Insights - IonQ, Inc. is experiencing commercial growth through enterprise hardware sales, indicating a scalable demand for quantum infrastructure [1] - The company has established Chattanooga as the first city to host both a quantum computer and a quantum network powered by IonQ technology, reflecting its expanding role in quantum computing and infrastructure [2] - IonQ's platform scalability is underscored by its deployment milestones, moving beyond cloud-only access to localized quantum compute capacity [3] Commercial Developments - IonQ closed a $22 million deal with EPB in Q1 2025, marking a significant shift towards direct system monetization [1][10] - The acquisition of Lightsynq is expected to enhance IonQ's system scalability through advanced quantum memory and improved error rates [4][10] - The company is deepening its presence in global telecom and defense markets, with initiatives live in South Korea, Singapore, and Tennessee [5] Competitive Landscape - Rigetti Computing reported flat revenues of $3.1 million in Q1 2025, focusing on government-aligned cloud-access models [7] - D-Wave Quantum reported revenues of $2.5 million in Q1 2025, down 14% year over year, with a focus on quantum-as-a-service offerings [8] Financial Performance - IonQ shares have surged 65.8% in the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 42.9% [9] - IonQ trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 103.83, significantly above the industry average of 3.87 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IonQ's 2025 earnings per share implies a year-over-year increase of 61.5% [12]

Core Viewpoint - The quantum computing sector is gaining significant investor interest due to its long-term economic potential, leading to inflated stock valuations that exceed justifiable near-term revenue or earnings [1] Company Overview - IonQ, Inc. is recognized as a leader in the quantum computing field, with an Overweight rating initiated by Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Troy Jensen and a price target of $45 [1] Technology and Innovation - IonQ employs a trapped-ion approach that allows for room-temperature operations and strong performance, utilizing a scalable modular architecture that supports quantum networking [2] - The company aims to scale from 36 physical qubits in its Forte Enterprise system to 10,000 qubits on a single chip by 2027, and to 20,000 qubits by connecting two chips in 2028, supported by acquisitions like Lightsynq and Oxford Ionics [3] Financial Position - IonQ ended Q1 2025 with nearly $700 million in cash after a $373 million equity raise, positioning the company for aggressive product innovation, international growth, and strategic acquisitions [4] - The company has experienced a share price increase of approximately 511% over the past year and 3% year-to-date, indicating strong market performance [4] Market Potential - Jensen estimates that IonQ could capture 20% of the quantum computing market by 2035, translating to a present value of $636 million [5] - IonQ is strategically positioned at the intersection of quantum computing and networking, bolstered by acquisitions such as ID Quantique and Lightsynq [5] Growth and Partnerships - The company is advancing along a defined technical roadmap aimed at scalable commercial use, supported by a solid revenue momentum and a strong patent base [6] - IonQ's expanding partnerships with enterprises, government entities, and global partners further solidify its leadership in the emerging quantum sector [6] Stock Performance - IonQ shares have seen a recent increase of 5.29%, trading at $42.22 [6]

Core Insights - China is advancing in quantum communications, particularly in space-based quantum key distribution (QKD), while IonQ, Inc. is aggressively expanding its capabilities in quantum computing, networking, and space applications [1][4]. Company Strategy - IonQ's strategy focuses on scaling quantum computing through a networked, multicore architecture, supported by key acquisitions such as Lightsynq and Capella, which enhance its quantum networking capabilities [2]. - The acquisition of Lightsynq provides quantum memory and repeater technology, extending quantum networks over long distances, while Capella adds satellite-based QKD capabilities [2]. Commercial Expansion - IonQ has made significant commercial strides, including a $22 million sale of the Forte Enterprise system to EPB, marking a notable deployment of quantum technology in the U.S. [3]. - The company also completed a deal with ID Quantique, adding four commercial quantum networks in the telecom and defense sectors [3]. Financial Performance - IonQ reported a net loss of $32.3 million in the first quarter but maintains a strong cash position of nearly $700 million [4]. - The company is involved in partnerships with DARPA and has cloud access via AWS, positioning itself as a leader in the quantum computing space [4]. Competitive Landscape - Competitors like IBM and Alphabet are heavily investing in quantum technologies, with IBM focusing on a 100,000-qubit machine and Alphabet pursuing superconducting qubit systems [5][6]. - While IBM leads in industrial partnerships, it lags behind IonQ in photonic interconnect innovation and commercial quantum networking [5]. Market Performance - IonQ shares have increased by 71.6% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry [7]. - The company’s revenue outlook for 2025 suggests a growth of 97.3%, with narrowing losses and positive analyst sentiment [8][9]. Analyst Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IonQ's 2025 loss per share has improved, indicating a narrower loss compared to the previous year [9]. - The forward 12-month price/sales ratio for IonQ is significantly higher than the industry average, reflecting strong market expectations [11].