Significant Progress in Quantum Computing Industry
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 25 2026
0mins
Source: Fool
- IBM's Transformation and Opportunities: International Business Machines (IBM) has successfully pivoted over the past decade towards cloud computing and AI, emerging as an early leader in quantum computing with plans to build the first fault-tolerant quantum computer by the end of the decade, showcasing its potential in future technologies.
- Market Pressure and Investment Opportunities: Despite IBM's stock price declining over 20% due to fears of AI disruption, it currently trades at less than 19 times earnings, indicating investment value, especially in light of ongoing advancements in quantum computing.
- Quantum Cybersecurity Challenges: The rise of quantum computing poses threats to modern encryption methods, and Zscaler has proactively prepared by offering post-quantum cryptography solutions, with the market opportunity expected to exceed $300 billion within the next decade, serving as a growth driver.
- AI and Cybersecurity Relationship: Although Zscaler's stock has fallen over 55% amid AI fears, the increasing demand for trusted cybersecurity platforms suggests that Zscaler could be a quality choice for patient investors as quantum computing technology evolves.
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Analyst Views on IBM
Wall Street analysts forecast IBM stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 231.310
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
Current: 231.310
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
About IBM
International Business Machines Corporation is a provider of global hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) and consulting expertise. The Company’s segments include Software, Consulting, Infrastructure and Financing. The Software segment includes hybrid cloud and AI platforms, which allow clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. The Consulting segment focuses on integrating skills on strategy, experience, technology and operations by domain and industry. The Infrastructure segment is focused on the hybrid cloud infrastructure market, providing on-premises and cloud-based server and storage solutions. In addition, it offers a portfolio of life-cycle services for hybrid cloud infrastructure deployment. The Financing segment provides client and commercial financing, facilitating its clients’ acquisition of hardware, software and services. It helps clients in more than 175 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Attractive Quantum Computing Stocks for Investors
- IonQ's Market Outlook: IonQ (IONQ) is considered the most attractive quantum computing stock currently, showing significant commercial progress with a growing revenue base and an expanding ecosystem in networking, sensing, and security, which enhances its competitive edge in the market.
- Renewed Investment Opportunities: Analyst Julia Ostian notes that despite the overall overheated valuation in the quantum sector, IonQ's ion-based computing method is more stable than traditional superconducting circuits, and its valuation multiple is significantly lower than that of Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), presenting new opportunities for risk-tolerant investors.
- Long-Term Investment in IBM: While IBM (IBM) has a relatively small quantum computing effort, its potential as a long-term investment remains appealing, especially given the complexities and rising costs associated with quantum technology, which may yield substantial returns in the future.
- Industry Dynamics Observation: Although major tech companies like Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and Amazon (AMZN) are also involved in quantum computing, their quantum efforts are still too small to significantly drive the overall investment thesis, making IonQ a more direct way to express a bullish view on quantum computing.
See More
Agentic AI Market Potential Estimated at $4 Trillion
- Market Size Estimate: Analysts at William Blair project the total addressable market for the agentic AI industry to reach approximately $4 trillion, a figure that underscores the immense expectations surrounding this technology and its potential to drive rapid growth for related companies.
- Technology Definition: Agentic AI is considered the next stage in artificial intelligence, surpassing commonly used chatbots by providing more effective answers and solutions to complex problems, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
- Industry Impact: The rise of agentic AI will enable businesses to leverage advanced automation and intelligent solutions, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing costs, which can provide a competitive edge in the market.
- Future Outlook: The widespread adoption of agentic AI is likely to trigger a technological revolution, fostering innovation and transformation across various industries, prompting companies to strategically position themselves to seize this potential market opportunity.
See More
Quantum Motion Raises $160 Million to Advance Quantum Computing
- Funding Achievement: Quantum Motion successfully raised $160 million on Thursday to develop a quantum computer that is smaller, cheaper, and more energy-efficient than its competitors, marking a significant advancement in the quantum computing sector.
- Technological Innovation: The company utilizes standard silicon chip manufacturing techniques to convert traditional transistors into high-quality qubits by manipulating the spin of a single electron, showcasing its unique and practical approach to quantum computing.
- Cost Efficiency: Quantum Motion anticipates that its quantum computers could be produced for as little as $10 million to $20 million, providing a competitive edge in the market and potentially accelerating the commercialization of quantum computing.
- Investor Backing: The funding round was co-led by DCVC and Kembara, with participation from several investors including the British Business Bank and Firgun, reflecting strong market confidence and support for quantum computing technology.
See More
IBM Transitions to Full-Stack Enterprise AI Operator
- Strategic Transformation: Morgan Stanley highlighted that IBM's Think 2026 event showcased its shift from being an AI enabler to a full-stack enterprise AI operator, which is expected to have profound implications for revenue mix and margin sustainability.
- Market Positioning: Analysts believe that IBM is carving out a more defensible role in enterprise AI by leveraging its strengths in hybrid infrastructure, data gravity, and trusted deployment, although execution and competitive dynamics remain areas to watch.
- Product Innovation: The ongoing development of watsonx as an orchestration layer for AI agents, combined with differentiated capabilities like real-time mainframe integration and GPU-accelerated analytics, could enable IBM to capture higher-value software and platform spending in regulated industries.
- Operational Efficiency: The focus on operationalizing AI for both internal use and clients supports IBM's long-term productivity narrative, as increased automation, orchestration, and real-time data access are expected to drive efficiency gains across consulting and software delivery.
See More
AMD Surpasses Expectations, Stock Soars
- Earnings Beat: AMD's first-quarter revenue surged 38% year-over-year to $3.77 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share rising 43%, showcasing the company's robust performance amid accelerating demand for AI infrastructure, thereby solidifying its leadership in the semiconductor industry.
- Positive Market Reaction: AMD's stock jumped 17% in pre-market trading and continued to rise 16.19% at the opening, which not only propelled the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new highs but also reflects strong investor confidence in its future growth potential.
- Strengthened Strategic Partnerships: AMD's collaboration with Meta will deploy 6 gigawatts of Instinct GPUs, indicating an accelerated positioning in the AI sector, which is expected to further enhance its market share.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: Management forecasts Q2 revenue to reach $11.2 billion, representing a 9% quarter-over-quarter increase and a 46% year-over-year growth, suggesting that AMD will continue to benefit from the demand for AI and high-performance computing in the coming quarters.
See More
Kyndryl Job Cuts Impact Stock Price
- Job Cuts Announcement: Kyndryl has announced job cuts as part of a new cost-saving plan, forecasting annual pretax profit below Wall Street estimates, indicating significant pressure on the company's profitability.
- Stock Price Decline: The company's shares fell over 12% in early trading, reflecting market concerns about its future profitability and potentially undermining investor confidence.
- Restructuring Low-Margin Contracts: Kyndryl is restructuring low- or no-margin contracts inherited from IBM to improve profitability; while this may lead to short-term job losses, it is aimed at enhancing long-term financial health.
- Market Reaction: The combination of job cuts and lowered profit expectations has led investors to adopt a cautious stance regarding Kyndryl's future performance, which may impact its position in a highly competitive market.
See More
Attractive Quantum Computing Stocks for Investors
- IonQ's Market Outlook: IonQ (IONQ) is considered the most attractive quantum computing stock currently, showing significant commercial progress with a growing revenue base and an expanding ecosystem in networking, sensing, and security, which enhances its competitive edge in the market.
- Renewed Investment Opportunities: Analyst Julia Ostian notes that despite the overall overheated valuation in the quantum sector, IonQ's ion-based computing method is more stable than traditional superconducting circuits, and its valuation multiple is significantly lower than that of Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), presenting new opportunities for risk-tolerant investors.
- Long-Term Investment in IBM: While IBM (IBM) has a relatively small quantum computing effort, its potential as a long-term investment remains appealing, especially given the complexities and rising costs associated with quantum technology, which may yield substantial returns in the future.
- Industry Dynamics Observation: Although major tech companies like Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and Amazon (AMZN) are also involved in quantum computing, their quantum efforts are still too small to significantly drive the overall investment thesis, making IonQ a more direct way to express a bullish view on quantum computing.
See More
Agentic AI Market Potential Estimated at $4 Trillion
- Market Size Estimate: Analysts at William Blair project the total addressable market for the agentic AI industry to reach approximately $4 trillion, a figure that underscores the immense expectations surrounding this technology and its potential to drive rapid growth for related companies.
- Technology Definition: Agentic AI is considered the next stage in artificial intelligence, surpassing commonly used chatbots by providing more effective answers and solutions to complex problems, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
- Industry Impact: The rise of agentic AI will enable businesses to leverage advanced automation and intelligent solutions, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing costs, which can provide a competitive edge in the market.
- Future Outlook: The widespread adoption of agentic AI is likely to trigger a technological revolution, fostering innovation and transformation across various industries, prompting companies to strategically position themselves to seize this potential market opportunity.
See More
Quantum Motion Raises $160 Million to Advance Quantum Computing
- Funding Achievement: Quantum Motion successfully raised $160 million on Thursday to develop a quantum computer that is smaller, cheaper, and more energy-efficient than its competitors, marking a significant advancement in the quantum computing sector.
- Technological Innovation: The company utilizes standard silicon chip manufacturing techniques to convert traditional transistors into high-quality qubits by manipulating the spin of a single electron, showcasing its unique and practical approach to quantum computing.
- Cost Efficiency: Quantum Motion anticipates that its quantum computers could be produced for as little as $10 million to $20 million, providing a competitive edge in the market and potentially accelerating the commercialization of quantum computing.
- Investor Backing: The funding round was co-led by DCVC and Kembara, with participation from several investors including the British Business Bank and Firgun, reflecting strong market confidence and support for quantum computing technology.
See More
IBM Transitions to Full-Stack Enterprise AI Operator
- Strategic Transformation: Morgan Stanley highlighted that IBM's Think 2026 event showcased its shift from being an AI enabler to a full-stack enterprise AI operator, which is expected to have profound implications for revenue mix and margin sustainability.
- Market Positioning: Analysts believe that IBM is carving out a more defensible role in enterprise AI by leveraging its strengths in hybrid infrastructure, data gravity, and trusted deployment, although execution and competitive dynamics remain areas to watch.
- Product Innovation: The ongoing development of watsonx as an orchestration layer for AI agents, combined with differentiated capabilities like real-time mainframe integration and GPU-accelerated analytics, could enable IBM to capture higher-value software and platform spending in regulated industries.
- Operational Efficiency: The focus on operationalizing AI for both internal use and clients supports IBM's long-term productivity narrative, as increased automation, orchestration, and real-time data access are expected to drive efficiency gains across consulting and software delivery.
See More
AMD Surpasses Expectations, Stock Soars
- Earnings Beat: AMD's first-quarter revenue surged 38% year-over-year to $3.77 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share rising 43%, showcasing the company's robust performance amid accelerating demand for AI infrastructure, thereby solidifying its leadership in the semiconductor industry.
- Positive Market Reaction: AMD's stock jumped 17% in pre-market trading and continued to rise 16.19% at the opening, which not only propelled the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new highs but also reflects strong investor confidence in its future growth potential.
- Strengthened Strategic Partnerships: AMD's collaboration with Meta will deploy 6 gigawatts of Instinct GPUs, indicating an accelerated positioning in the AI sector, which is expected to further enhance its market share.
- Optimistic Future Guidance: Management forecasts Q2 revenue to reach $11.2 billion, representing a 9% quarter-over-quarter increase and a 46% year-over-year growth, suggesting that AMD will continue to benefit from the demand for AI and high-performance computing in the coming quarters.
See More
Kyndryl Job Cuts Impact Stock Price
- Job Cuts Announcement: Kyndryl has announced job cuts as part of a new cost-saving plan, forecasting annual pretax profit below Wall Street estimates, indicating significant pressure on the company's profitability.
- Stock Price Decline: The company's shares fell over 12% in early trading, reflecting market concerns about its future profitability and potentially undermining investor confidence.
- Restructuring Low-Margin Contracts: Kyndryl is restructuring low- or no-margin contracts inherited from IBM to improve profitability; while this may lead to short-term job losses, it is aimed at enhancing long-term financial health.
- Market Reaction: The combination of job cuts and lowered profit expectations has led investors to adopt a cautious stance regarding Kyndryl's future performance, which may impact its position in a highly competitive market.
See More
