Shares of quantum computing company IonQ (IONQ 1.96%) soared 10% through 11:25 a.m. ET Monday. And why?
That's not entirely clear. So far as I can tell, there's no significant quantum stock news concerning either IonQ stock in particular or quantum stocks in general today. Investor's Business Daily does have a story out, but it basically boils down to the observation:
Quantum stocks have done well in 2025.
Image source: Getty Images.
IonQ in 2025
Well, most quantum stocks have done well this year. IonQ itself is up only about 17% over the past year, which is fine as well as it goes, but not significantly better than the 14% gain on the S&P 500.
IonQ calls itself "the world's leading quantum company," which sounds like a boast, but, if we're using market capitalization as a measuring stick, it's actually accurate. At $17.2 billion in market value, IonQ is in fact the "leading" pure-play quantum computing stock.
Other metrics don't look as promising.
IonQ generated all of $7.5 million in revenue over the last 12 months, giving it an insanely high price-to-sales ratio of 2,293. The company has no price-to-earnings ratio at all, because for that, one must have, well, earnings.
And IonQ doesn't.
NYSE: IONQ
Key Data Points
Is IonQ stock a buy in 2026?
Nor will it, anytime soon.
According to analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, IonQ could grow its sales 200 times over the next five years yet still not earn any profit at all. Looking out all the way to 2030, they see the company collecting more than $1.5 billion in sales, and still continuing to lose money (and even 2031 looks iffy).
With no prospects for profits, the best investors can hope for is for IonQ stock to trade like the momentum stock that it is.
