IonQ Secures DARPA Contract, Boosting Quantum Computing Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 21 2026
0mins
Should l Buy IONQ?
Source: Fool
IONQ Inc. shares fell 5.00% as the stock crossed below the 5-day SMA, reflecting a downturn in the market despite recent positive developments in the quantum computing sector.
The recent announcement of IonQ securing a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program marks a significant milestone for the company. This contract positions IonQ as a key player in government quantum computing initiatives, alongside a remarkable 429% revenue growth reported in Q4. The company anticipates revenues of approximately $235 million by 2026, showcasing strong momentum in its business model and a promising outlook for future growth.
Despite the stock's decline today, IonQ's advancements in quantum technology and substantial revenue growth indicate a robust future for the company. Investors remain optimistic about IonQ's potential to lead in the quantum computing market, especially with its innovative trapped-ion technology and government contracts.
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Analyst Views on IONQ
Wall Street analysts forecast IONQ stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 57.470
Low
47.00
Averages
75.91
High
100.00
Current: 57.470
Low
47.00
Averages
75.91
High
100.00
About IONQ
IonQ, Inc. is engaged in the quantum computing and networking industry, delivering high-performance systems capable of solving complex commercial and research use cases. Its generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. It sells specialized quantum computing and networking hardware together with related maintenance and support. It also sells access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and is in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. It makes access to its quantum computers available via three cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services' (AWS) Amazon Braket, Microsoft's Azure Quantum and Google's Cloud Marketplace, and also to select customers via its own cloud service. Its product portfolio also includes quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, quantum random number generators (QRNGs), and single-photon detectors.
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.
Investor Interest Grows in Quantum Computing Market
- Stock Performance: Rigetti Computing's stock has surged nearly 70% over the past year, while IonQ's stock has also risen over 70%, indicating strong investor interest in the quantum computing market, although both companies remain unprofitable and richly valued.
- Technology Comparison: Rigetti accelerates electrons in superconducting loops to achieve quantum states, while IonQ manipulates ions with lasers; despite IonQ's higher manufacturing costs, its ability to operate at room temperature makes it easier to maintain.
- Revenue Projections: Analysts expect Rigetti's revenue to soar from $7 million to $100 million between 2025 and 2028, driven by sales of its Novera 9-qubit QPUs, while IonQ's revenue is projected to rise from $130 million to $638 million, fueled by an influx of government contracts.
- Market Outlook: The quantum computing market is expected to expand at a 31.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2034; although both Rigetti and IonQ are speculative stocks, IonQ is viewed as a more attractive investment due to its higher revenues and innovative technology.
See More
Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. Launches QPA v2 Platform for Post-Quantum Migration
- Platform Launch: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. officially launched QPA v2 on March 31, 2026, marking a significant advancement in supporting organizations transitioning to quantum-resilient security architectures, which is expected to enhance market competitiveness.
- Feature Innovation: QPA v2 transforms traditional manual assessment processes into a structured, data-driven workflow with real-time visibility into quantum readiness and migration progress through the introduction of a PQC Planning Wizard, AI-enhanced assessment modules, and a centralized executive dashboard, thereby improving enterprise security and compliance.
- Market Demand: With NIST standards and regulatory deadlines approaching, all custom and legacy applications must migrate by 2030, positioning QSE's QPA v2 platform to meet the urgent needs of enterprises in quantum security migration, presenting a substantial market opportunity.
- Global Expansion: QSE expanded its footprint to 13 countries in Q1 2026 and engaged in several international cybersecurity and post-quantum security conferences, enhancing interactions with global industry, government, and enterprise stakeholders, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. Launches QPA v2 Platform for Post-Quantum Migration
- Platform Launch: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. officially launched the QPA v2 platform on March 31, 2026, marking a significant advancement in supporting organizations transitioning to quantum-resilient architectures, which is expected to accelerate enterprise migration ahead of the 2030 deadline.
- Innovative Features: QPA v2 transforms traditional manual assessment processes by introducing a PQC Planning Wizard, AI-enhanced assessment modules, and a centralized dashboard, enabling organizations to monitor quantum readiness and risk levels in real-time, thereby improving migration efficiency.
- Market Demand: With the global post-quantum cryptography market projected to reach $17.69 billion by 2034 and annual cybercrime costs expected to hit $10.5 trillion in 2026, the launch of QPA v2 addresses the urgent need for practical migration tools in the market.
- Strategic Positioning: QSE's global footprint across 13 countries and its engagement with the public sector, combined with a refreshed long-term equity incentive structure, further solidify its market position in quantum security, ensuring a competitive edge ahead of impending regulatory deadlines.
See More
IonQ's Path to Potential 10x Growth in Quantum Computing
- Significant Market Opportunity: McKinsey & Company estimates that the quantum computing market will reach $72 billion by 2035, and if IonQ captures 30% of that, it could achieve $21.4 billion in revenue, driving its market cap from $19.3 billion to $193 billion.
- Clear Technological Advantage: IonQ focuses on trapped-ion qubits, sacrificing processing speed for superior accuracy, which may give it a competitive edge in commercial applications, although it has yet to meet the standards for widespread use.
- High Profitability Requirements: To achieve a 10x growth, IonQ must reach a market cap of $193 billion, necessitating $6.43 billion in net income, which would require $21.4 billion in revenue assuming a 30% net income margin.
- Intense Industry Competition: IonQ faces multiple challenges in the quantum computing sector; while its technology is leading, market preference for faster quantum computers may impact its market share, making its performance over the next decade uncertain.
See More
Quantum Computing Firm QUBT Surpasses Revenue Expectations in Q1
- Significant Revenue Growth: Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) reported first-quarter revenue of $3.69 million for 2026, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.28 million, primarily driven by the acquisitions of Luminar Semiconductor in February and NuCrypt in March, indicating strong growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
- Stock Price Surge: Following this positive news, QUBT's shares jumped nearly 25% in premarket trading, not only enhancing its market capitalization but also lifting the entire quantum computing sector, reflecting optimistic market sentiment towards the industry's future development.
- Rating Analysis: Despite QUBT's quantitative rating of Hold (2.72), its valuation grade stands at B- and momentum grade at C, indicating a cautious market outlook on its future performance and reflecting the complex views investors hold regarding the overall prospects of the quantum computing industry.
- Competitive Landscape: Within the quantum computing space, IonQ leads with the highest quantitative score of 3.06, still rated as Hold, showcasing the intense competition in the industry, while D-Wave and Rigetti also perform well in ratings, highlighting the diverse perspectives investors have on different companies.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Surge Amid Market Recovery
- Market Bounce: From March 30 to May 6, quantum computing leaders IonQ and D-Wave Quantum saw stock increases of 98% and 84%, respectively, reflecting strong investor interest in quantum computing, although the overall market recovery contributed as well.
- IonQ's Impressive Earnings: IonQ reported a record first-quarter revenue of $64.7 million, up 755% year-over-year, and raised its full-year sales guidance to between $260 million and $270 million, indicating robust growth potential in its business model.
- D-Wave's Financial Strength: D-Wave Quantum ended 2025 with $884.5 million in cash and marketable investments and is set to report its first-quarter operating results on May 12, which is expected to further solidify its market position.
- Investment Risk Warning: Despite the impressive performance of quantum computing stocks, historical trends suggest that this technology is still in its early stages, and investors should exercise caution to avoid the risk of a bubble burst due to overly optimistic market expectations.
See More
Investor Interest Grows in Quantum Computing Market
- Stock Performance: Rigetti Computing's stock has surged nearly 70% over the past year, while IonQ's stock has also risen over 70%, indicating strong investor interest in the quantum computing market, although both companies remain unprofitable and richly valued.
- Technology Comparison: Rigetti accelerates electrons in superconducting loops to achieve quantum states, while IonQ manipulates ions with lasers; despite IonQ's higher manufacturing costs, its ability to operate at room temperature makes it easier to maintain.
- Revenue Projections: Analysts expect Rigetti's revenue to soar from $7 million to $100 million between 2025 and 2028, driven by sales of its Novera 9-qubit QPUs, while IonQ's revenue is projected to rise from $130 million to $638 million, fueled by an influx of government contracts.
- Market Outlook: The quantum computing market is expected to expand at a 31.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2034; although both Rigetti and IonQ are speculative stocks, IonQ is viewed as a more attractive investment due to its higher revenues and innovative technology.
See More
Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. Launches QPA v2 Platform for Post-Quantum Migration
- Platform Launch: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. officially launched QPA v2 on March 31, 2026, marking a significant advancement in supporting organizations transitioning to quantum-resilient security architectures, which is expected to enhance market competitiveness.
- Feature Innovation: QPA v2 transforms traditional manual assessment processes into a structured, data-driven workflow with real-time visibility into quantum readiness and migration progress through the introduction of a PQC Planning Wizard, AI-enhanced assessment modules, and a centralized executive dashboard, thereby improving enterprise security and compliance.
- Market Demand: With NIST standards and regulatory deadlines approaching, all custom and legacy applications must migrate by 2030, positioning QSE's QPA v2 platform to meet the urgent needs of enterprises in quantum security migration, presenting a substantial market opportunity.
- Global Expansion: QSE expanded its footprint to 13 countries in Q1 2026 and engaged in several international cybersecurity and post-quantum security conferences, enhancing interactions with global industry, government, and enterprise stakeholders, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. Launches QPA v2 Platform for Post-Quantum Migration
- Platform Launch: Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. officially launched the QPA v2 platform on March 31, 2026, marking a significant advancement in supporting organizations transitioning to quantum-resilient architectures, which is expected to accelerate enterprise migration ahead of the 2030 deadline.
- Innovative Features: QPA v2 transforms traditional manual assessment processes by introducing a PQC Planning Wizard, AI-enhanced assessment modules, and a centralized dashboard, enabling organizations to monitor quantum readiness and risk levels in real-time, thereby improving migration efficiency.
- Market Demand: With the global post-quantum cryptography market projected to reach $17.69 billion by 2034 and annual cybercrime costs expected to hit $10.5 trillion in 2026, the launch of QPA v2 addresses the urgent need for practical migration tools in the market.
- Strategic Positioning: QSE's global footprint across 13 countries and its engagement with the public sector, combined with a refreshed long-term equity incentive structure, further solidify its market position in quantum security, ensuring a competitive edge ahead of impending regulatory deadlines.
See More
IonQ's Path to Potential 10x Growth in Quantum Computing
- Significant Market Opportunity: McKinsey & Company estimates that the quantum computing market will reach $72 billion by 2035, and if IonQ captures 30% of that, it could achieve $21.4 billion in revenue, driving its market cap from $19.3 billion to $193 billion.
- Clear Technological Advantage: IonQ focuses on trapped-ion qubits, sacrificing processing speed for superior accuracy, which may give it a competitive edge in commercial applications, although it has yet to meet the standards for widespread use.
- High Profitability Requirements: To achieve a 10x growth, IonQ must reach a market cap of $193 billion, necessitating $6.43 billion in net income, which would require $21.4 billion in revenue assuming a 30% net income margin.
- Intense Industry Competition: IonQ faces multiple challenges in the quantum computing sector; while its technology is leading, market preference for faster quantum computers may impact its market share, making its performance over the next decade uncertain.
See More
Quantum Computing Firm QUBT Surpasses Revenue Expectations in Q1
- Significant Revenue Growth: Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) reported first-quarter revenue of $3.69 million for 2026, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.28 million, primarily driven by the acquisitions of Luminar Semiconductor in February and NuCrypt in March, indicating strong growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
- Stock Price Surge: Following this positive news, QUBT's shares jumped nearly 25% in premarket trading, not only enhancing its market capitalization but also lifting the entire quantum computing sector, reflecting optimistic market sentiment towards the industry's future development.
- Rating Analysis: Despite QUBT's quantitative rating of Hold (2.72), its valuation grade stands at B- and momentum grade at C, indicating a cautious market outlook on its future performance and reflecting the complex views investors hold regarding the overall prospects of the quantum computing industry.
- Competitive Landscape: Within the quantum computing space, IonQ leads with the highest quantitative score of 3.06, still rated as Hold, showcasing the intense competition in the industry, while D-Wave and Rigetti also perform well in ratings, highlighting the diverse perspectives investors have on different companies.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Surge Amid Market Recovery
- Market Bounce: From March 30 to May 6, quantum computing leaders IonQ and D-Wave Quantum saw stock increases of 98% and 84%, respectively, reflecting strong investor interest in quantum computing, although the overall market recovery contributed as well.
- IonQ's Impressive Earnings: IonQ reported a record first-quarter revenue of $64.7 million, up 755% year-over-year, and raised its full-year sales guidance to between $260 million and $270 million, indicating robust growth potential in its business model.
- D-Wave's Financial Strength: D-Wave Quantum ended 2025 with $884.5 million in cash and marketable investments and is set to report its first-quarter operating results on May 12, which is expected to further solidify its market position.
- Investment Risk Warning: Despite the impressive performance of quantum computing stocks, historical trends suggest that this technology is still in its early stages, and investors should exercise caution to avoid the risk of a bubble burst due to overly optimistic market expectations.
See More
