The Simple Reason Why I Won't Buy Quantum Computing Stocks in 2026 - Yahoo Finance

The Simple Reason Why I Won't Buy Quantum Computing Stocks in 2026 Jeremy Bowman, The Motley Fool January 23, 2026 6 min read QBTS -0.51% GOOG +0.98% RGTI -0.19% QUBT +0.96% HOOD +2.62% Key Points Emerging technology stocks in sectors like quantum computing have soared in the wake of the AI boom. D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing are both in the 100 most popular stocks on Robinhood, showing that retail investors have piled into the sector. The technology is difficult to understand, and the sector still seems highly speculative at this point. 10 stocks we like better than IonQ › 2025 will go down as the year quantum computing stocks went mainstream. The sector was virtually unheard of through much of 2024, but a milestone achievement by Google with its Willow quantum chip in December of that year set off a gold rush into the futuristic technology. While Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) didn't move much on the news, pure-play quantum computing stocks like IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), and Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) all soared in the aftermath of Google's update. The chart below shows the impact of that event and how the stocks have done since then. IONQ data by YCharts Through 2025, those stocks continued to attract attention and mostly soared after a pullback at the beginning of the year as some investors speculated that quantum computing could be the next big technology to go mainstream after artificial intelligence. Quantum computing stocks are one of several speculative emerging technology sectors that have soared in the wake of the AI boom, even though they are only making nominal revenue. Those include electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) stocks like Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, and small modular reactor nuclear energy stocks like Oklo and NuScale Power. The speculative bets and sky-high valuations fueled by AI enthusiasm for the emerging technologies have the feel of a bubble, and offer one reason to avoid quantum computing stocks. However, there's a better and simpler reason, which is that most investors buying quantum computing stocks have little to no understanding of the highly complex technology. Image source: Getty Images. What is quantum computing? Quantum computing is based on the principles of quantum mechanics and uses quantum bits, or qubits, which can be formed in several ways, including by manipulating atoms or using extremely low temperatures. Quantum computers are capable of solving problems much faster than classical computers, and the technology has the potential to lead to new discoveries in areas like pharmaceuticals and engineering. However, it's unclear how long it will take quantum computers to build the scale to be truly disruptive, if that happens. Story Continues View Comments Terms and Privacy Policy Privacy Dashboard