Quantum Computing Stocks: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to 5 Companies With Big Upside

What Is Quantum Computing (In Plain English)?

Imagine a regular computer like a light switch that can only be ON or OFF. A quantum computer is more like a dimmer switch that can be ON, OFF, or somewhere in between — all at the same time!

Quantum computing uses three weird-but-cool ideas from science:

• Superposition – a qubit (quantum bit) can be 0, 1, or both at once.
• Entanglement – qubits can be linked so what happens to one affects the other, even far apart.
• Tunneling – particles can "magically" pass through barriers that normal objects cannot.

These tricks help solve super-hard math problems that normal computers struggle with.

Lately, quantum tech has:

• Made more qubits (the building blocks of quantum computers)
• Reduced mistakes (errors)
• Improved early "fault-tolerant" designs (systems that fix their own errors)
• Become available through the cloud (like renting one online)

This opens doors in:

• Optimization (finding the best solution fast)
• Chemistry simulation (testing molecules virtually)
• Cryptography (super-secure codes)
• Machine learning (teaching computers patterns)

Five Stocks That Haven’t Joined the Party (Yet)

Wall Street’s big rally in 2026 left some quantum stocks behind. But these 5 "pure-play" quantum companies (they focus mainly on quantum computing) may have big price growth potential in the second half of 2026:

• D-Wave Quantum Inc. (ticker: QBTS)
• Rigetti Computing Inc. (ticker: RGTI)
• IonQ Inc. (ticker: IONQ)
• Quantum Computing Inc. (ticker: QUBT)
• Quantinuum Inc. (ticker: QNT)

The Catalyst: A Big Policy Shift

On June 22, the Trump administration issued executive orders that changed U.S. quantum policy.

Instead of only funding science experiments, the new rules focus on:

• Commercialization (turning tech into products)
• Technology deployment (actually using it)
• National security uses

Important Point: Quantum computing is now seen as a strategic technology that can boost the economy, improve cybersecurity, and help defense.

Company Breakdowns

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS)

D-Wave keeps improving its "annealing" platform (a type of quantum computer good at optimization) through Advantage2 and its Leap cloud service.

In January 2026, it bought Quantum Circuits and is moving into "gate-model" computing (a more general type of quantum computer).

• Key tech: dual-rail qubits with built-in error detection and on-chip cryogenic control (cooling + control on the chip).
• Roadmap:
  1. ~175 physical qubits by end of 2028 (show error correction)
  2. 10 logical qubits by 2030
  3. 100 logical qubits by end of 2032
• Still adding annealing apps in production, quantum AI, and blockchain benchmarking.
• Bookings grew in early 2026 from big deals, including a $20M system order.
• Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
• Expected growth: revenue 63.3%, earnings 77.5% this year.
• Earnings estimate improved 19.4% in last 90 days.

Enormous Short-Term Price Upside

• Last close: $16.92
• Broker avg target: +126.4%
• Range: $22–$45
• Max upside: 166%, no downside.

Important Point: The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.

Rigetti Computing Inc. (RGTI)

Rigetti uses superconducting systems (cooled way down) and cloud access.

• 108-qubit system is generally available; Novera deliveries show progress.
• Users: government, academic, commercial.
• Working on a project in India; quarter results can swing.
• Roadmap: chiplet-based higher-fidelity systems, quantum advantage in ~3 years.
• Q1 2026: improved Cepheus-1-108Q system.
• Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
• Expected growth: revenue >100%, earnings 71.9% this year.

Tremendous Short-Term Price Upside

• Last close: $14.10
• Broker avg target: +119.9%
• Range: $20–$40
• Max upside: 183.7%, no downside.

IonQ Inc. (IONQ)

IonQ is moving from just computing to a platform with computing, networking, sensing, and security.

• Q1 2026 revenue rose sharply; raised full-year guidance.
• Big cash and order backlog.
• Acquisitions add optical communications and software; pending SkyWater deal may help hardware.
• Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
• Expected growth: revenue >100%, earnings 41.2% this year.
• Earnings estimate improved 78.3% in last 60 days.

Massive Short-Term Price Upside

• Last close: $35.10
• Broker avg target: +103.2%
• Range: $48.50–$100
• Max upside: 184.9%, no downside.

Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT)

QUBT is an integrated photonics company (uses light chips) for commercial and government.

• Makes thin-film lithium niobate chips for optical devices.
• Builds "entropy quantum computer" for optimization.
• Offers quantum photonic vibrometer (remote vibration sensing) and quantum networks/auth products.
• Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
• Expected growth: revenue >100%, earnings -27.3% this year (loss shrinking).
• Earnings estimate improved 39.1% in last 90 days.

Astonishing Short-Term Price Upside

• Last close: $7.64
• Broker avg target: +139.9%
• Range: $10–$30
• Max upside: 292.7%, no downside.

Quantinuum Inc. (QNT)

QNT makes quantum hardware and software worldwide.

• Platform combines hardware, middleware, and apps for real-world use.
• Expected growth (next year): revenue 67.3%, earnings -3.4%.
• Earnings estimate unchanged in last 7 days.

Huge Short-Term Price Upside

• Last close: $56.52
• Broker avg target: +74.7%
• Range: $78–$155
• Max upside: 174.2%, no downside.

Zacks "Single Best Pick to Double"

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• Targets millennial & Gen Z, ~$1B revenue last quarter.
• Pullback may be a good entry.
• Past pick Nano-X Imaging rose +129.6% in 9 months.
• Free report available for top stock + 4 runners-up.

Summary

Quantum computing uses strange science rules to solve problems normal computers can’t. U.S. policy now pushes quantum to market. Five stocks — QBTS, RGTI, IONQ, QUBT, QNT — lagged Wall Street but show huge broker-target upside for 2026 with no modeled downside. Each has unique tech and growth estimates. Zacks also highlights a "best double" pick via free report.

FAQ

1. What is a qubit?
A qubit is the quantum version of a computer bit. Unlike a normal bit (0 or 1), it can be 0, 1, or both at once thanks to superposition.

2. What does Zacks Rank mean?
It’s Zacks’ rating: #1 Strong Buy, #2 Buy, #3 Hold, etc., based on earnings estimate trends.

3. Why do these stocks have "no downside" in targets?
Broker price targets shown are all above the last closing price, so the modeled range implies only upside from that point.

4. What is cloud access for quantum?
It means you can use a quantum computer over the internet without owning one.

5. Are these stocks guaranteed to go up?
No. Targets are estimates. All investing carries risk; even elite picks can lose.

Originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).