Prediction: This Quantum Computing Stock Will Skyrocket in 2026 - The Motley Fool

By Rich Smith – Jan 25, 2026 at 7:07AM EST KEY POINTS Unlike most quantum computing stocks, Quantum Computing underperformed the market last year. Sales still may have doubled in 2025, and sales could triple in 2026 -- and quintuple in 2027. 2025 was a great year to invest in most quantum computing stocks -- most, not all. IonQ ( IONQ +0.94% ) beat the S&P 500 in 2025, gaining 17% over the past 12 months. Rigetti Computing ( RGTI 0.12% ) soared 75%, and D-Wave Quantum ( QBTS 0.71% ) simply skyrocketed, more than quadrupling in price. So yes, 2025 was a great year to invest in quantum stocks, plural. It just wasn't a great year to invest in Quantum Computing ( QUBT +0.96% ) stock, singular -- which underperformed the market with a 5% return. Image source: Getty Images. What is Quantum Computing? Quantum Computing aims to build "affordable quantum machines" that "operate at room temperature and low power," keeping costs down and making quantum computing easier to use. It's an admirable goal, sidestepping the need to use cryogenic cooling to operate the devices. But it's taking Quantum Computing a while to scale up to reach that goal. Quantum Computing recorded its first revenue in 2022 -- $136,000. Three years later, the company's still struggling along at sub-$1 million annual revenues. Losses are high -- about $68 million over the past 12 months -- although actual cash burn is less than half that, only $31.5 million. So why do I think 2026 might be the year Quantum Computing stock rockets? Expand NASDAQ: QUBT Quantum Computing Today's Change (0.96%) $0.07 Current Price $7.37 KEY DATA POINTS Market Cap $1.6B Day's Range $7.19 - $7.67 52wk Range $5.76 - $25.84 Volume 10M Avg Vol 15M Gross Margin -67346.04% Momentum could be Quantum Computing's friend First, let's allay concerns: Quantum Computing stock is in no immediate danger of going bankrupt. It may be off to a slow start. It may be burning cash. But Quantum Computing at least has a lot of money to burn. Cash reserves are a beefy $555 million, enough to keep the company in business for the next 17 years at current burn rates. What makes 2026 a year of particular interest to Quantum Computing investors is that this is the year things could start heating up for the room-temperature quantum computing company. Consider this. Working off a low sales base, Quantum Computing stock grew its revenues 55% year over year through the first nine months of 2025. Analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence expect growth to hit 100% once Q4 results are in. In 2026, sales growth could exceed 200% as revenue surges to $2.8 million, and in 2027, they think revenue could quintuple to $15 million. That's serious sales momentum, assuming Quantum Computing hits these numbers. It won't be enough to turn Quantum Computing stock profitable -- analysts don't see that happening before 2029 -- but it could be enough to attract the attention of momentum traders. Enter the short squeeze Consider, too, that Quantum Computing's slow start to date has most investors pretty down on Quantum Computing stock. Currently, 48.6 million of the company's 224.1 million shares are sold short -- more than 1 in 5. If Quantum Computing hits its sales projections when it reports Q4 earnings in March, and investors gain confidence in analyst projections for 2026 and 2027, this stock could take off, triggering a short squeeze that sends it cycling ever higher. I may not yet have sufficient confidence in Quantum Computing stock to buy it. But I'd be very leery of shorting this stock in 2026. Read Next Mar 3, 2026 By Keith Noonan Why Quantum Computing Stock Is Plummeting Today Feb 25, 2026 By Rich Smith Why Did Quantum Computing Stock Pop Today? Feb 15, 2026 By Johnny Rice Is Quantum Computing Stock Going to $0? Jan 25, 2026 By Lyle Daly Here's Why I Wouldn't Touch Quantum Computing Stock With a 10-Foot Pole Jan 23, 2026 By Leo Sun Forget Quantum Computing Stock: Buy This Dividend‑Paying Quantum Pioneer, And Never Sell Jan 18, 2026 By Keith Noonan Why Quantum Computing Stock Plummeted 38% Last Year but Is Soaring in 2026 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rich Smith is a contributing Motley Fool defense and stock market analyst covering publicly traded and emerging companies in defense, space, aerospace, and other sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Rich practiced international corporate law for Clifford Chance in Russia, and for the Russian-Ukrainian Legal Group in Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the College of William & Mary, a law degree from the University of Baltimore, and a language certification from the International Institute of Russian Language & Culture in Tver, Russian Federation. The Globe and Mail once featured him as “one of the best stock pickers since 2009.” TMFDitty @RichSmithFool STOCKS MENTIONED Quantum Computing NASDAQ: QUBT $7.35 (+0.62%) +$0.05 IonQ NYSE: IONQ $33.29 (+0.94%) +$0.31 D-Wave Quantum NYSE: QBTS $17.46 (-0.51%) -$0.09 Rigetti Computing NASDAQ: RGTI $16.15 (-0.12%) -$0.02 *Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.