2 Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in 2026 - The Motley Fool

By Robert Izquierdo – Feb 19, 2026 at 4:15PM EST KEY POINTS Quantum computer stocks are down in 2026, creating buying opportunities. Two compelling quantum stocks are IonQ and IBM. Both are making advances in the field, such as IBM's goal to achieve quantum advantage this year. Investor excitement over quantum computing companies reached a fever pitch last October with rumors the Trump administration was contemplating an investment in some of them, including IonQ ( IONQ +0.94% ). The rumors proved false, and in 2026, the fervor had cooled off, with shares in these businesses dropping substantially. For example, IonQ saw its stock skyrocket to a 52-week high of $84.64 in October. But in 2026, shares are down 24% through the week ending Feb. 13. IonQ's rival in the space, IBM ( IBM +1.25% ), also saw its stock price fall in 2026, dropping 11% through Feb. 13. As a result, these two quantum computing companies have become compelling investment choices for the year. Here's why investing in them makes sense. Image source: Getty Images. IonQ's robust quantum platform What makes IonQ an attractive quantum computing investment is its comprehensive technology. The company is acquiring SkyWater Technology, a semiconductor foundry that will give IonQ end-to-end ownership over the quantum computer chip production process. SkyWater is one of the latest in an acquisition spree, as IonQ collected quantum companies to round out its platform. These include Capella Space, a business focused on satellite quantum tech, as well as Skyloom and Qubitekk, which are working on quantum computer networks. IonQ has applied its technology in projects such as last year's deployment of the first dedicated citywide quantum network in Geneva, Switzerland. Its rapidly rising revenue is a testament to the efficacy of its tech. In the third quarter, the company produced sales of $39.9 million, a 222% year-over-year increase. It forecast 2025 revenue to come in between $106 million and $110 million, more than double the $43.1 million generated in 2024. IonQ's downside is that it's not profitable. The company suffered a Q3 operating loss of $168.8 million, a significant jump up from 2024's $53.1 million loss. However, its balance sheet is solid. As of Nov. 5, IonQ had no debt and boasted pro forma cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $3.5 billion after executing equity offerings. Expand NYSE: IONQ IonQ Today's Change (0.94%) $0.31 Current Price $33.29 KEY DATA POINTS Market Cap $12B Day's Range $32.40 - $34.40 52wk Range $18.81 - $84.64 Volume 826K Avg Vol 21M Gross Margin -2267.11% IBM's key quantum milestones IBM has worked on quantum computing technology for years. Now, Big Blue is poised to deliver a key industry milestone by the end of 2026: quantum advantage. This is the point where a quantum computer can solve real-world problems more accurately, cheaply, or efficiently than conventional computers. The company also aims to deliver a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. Such a machine can complete calculations with high accuracy by fixing errors in real time. The achievement would be a major step toward quantum computer adoption, since it overcomes the high error rates seen in these devices today. Expand NYSE: IBM International Business Machines Today's Change (1.25%) $3.07 Current Price $249.35 KEY DATA POINTS Market Cap $231B Day's Range $246.20 - $252.16 52wk Range $214.50 - $324.90 Volume 214K Avg Vol 5.6M Gross Margin 57.59% Dividend Yield 2.73% Moreover, IBM is a profitable business generating plenty of free cash flow (FCF). In 2025, sales grew 8% year over year to $67.5 billion, leading to net income of $10.6 billion, up from $6 billion in 2024. IBM's 2025 FCF was $14.7 billion compared to $12.7 billion in 2024. This FCF growth funds its robust dividend, yielding 2.6%. With its share price decline, IBM stock sports an attractive valuation. Its price-to-earnings ratio of about 24 is near its low for the past year. Data by YCharts. This suggests it's a good time to pick up IBM shares ahead of its key quantum computing milestones. Read Next Mar 15, 2026 By Keithen Drury Better Quantum Computing Stock: Rigetti Computing vs. IonQ Mar 13, 2026 By Keithen Drury 2 Millionaire-Maker Quantum Computing Stocks Mar 11, 2026 By Harsh Chauhan Prediction: IonQ Will Be the First Quantum Stock to Prove the Bears Wrong Mar 11, 2026 By Geoffrey Seiler Is IonQ Stock Your Ticket to Becoming a Millionaire? Mar 10, 2026 By Keithen Drury A Once-in-a-Generation Investment Opportunity: Is IonQ the Top Quantum Computing Stock to Buy Now? Mar 4, 2026 By Robert Izquierdo 2 Quantum Computing Stocks That Could Help Make You a Fortune ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert "Izzy" Izquierdo is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and communication services sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Izzy was head of product management at Target Media Partners, developing and launching multimillion-dollar software used by businesses such as Charter Communications. Prior to that, he worked at Yahoo! and startups on software products in connected TV, AI, consumer apps, and digital advertising. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from UCLA and is certified in software product management. TMFWryWrite STOCKS MENTIONED IonQ NYSE: IONQ $33.29 (+0.94%) +$0.31 International Business Machines NYSE: IBM $249.25 (+1.21%) +$2.97 *Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.