IonQ (IONQ -8.60%) is a quantum computing company that develops and offers trapped-ion quantum computers, aiming to solve complex problems with quantum mechanics. IonQ focuses on building quantum computers based on trapped-ion technology, which uses individual ions (atoms with an electrical charge) trapped in place and manipulated with lasers to perform quantum computations.
This approach offers high accuracy in quantum operations and scalability, making it a promising path for developing quantum computers. IonQ offers access to its quantum computers through numerous cloud platforms, allowing users to run their quantum algorithms and explore the potential of quantum computing. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, and artificial intelligence.
NYSE: IONQ
Key Data Points
IonQ was founded in 2015 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, becoming the world's first public pure-play quantum computing company. The company partners with major cloud providers like Alphabet (GOOGL -2.18%) (GOOG -2.13%), Amazon (AMZN -1.91%), and Microsoft (MSFT -0.44%) to make their quantum computers accessible to a wider audience.
In this deep dive into investing in IonQ stock, we'll explore how to buy shares of the business, whether it deserves your investment cash, how to invest in the stock through an exchange-traded fund (ETF), and more.
How to buy IonQ stock
Because IonQ is publicly traded, the process of buying shares is very similar to buying shares of any other public company. Here's what you need to know to add shares of IonQ stock to your portfolio.
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Stock
In the first six months of 2025, IonQ reported revenue of $28.3 million, up about 50% from the previous year. In that same quarter, it reported cash and investments on hand of about $546.9 million.
The company also announced it reached a significant milestone ahead of schedule, hitting its #AQ 64 benchmark three months earlier than expected. This effectively doubles its computational ability and could lead to not only new performance targets but also more contracts with new companies.
While all of these developments are impressive, there are reasons why some investors may want to stay away from this business. Like other companies in this space, IonQ's costs and expenses, including research and development (R&D), general and administrative spending, and other operational costs, are growing faster than its revenue.
The company has a long history of financial losses and faces significant competition from well-funded technology giants and specialized start-ups. IonQ is in the early stages of its growth story, and investors will need to be fairly risk tolerant with a generous investment horizon to put cash into this business.
Is IonQ profitable?
IonQ is not currently profitable and has reported serious net losses, including a $331.6 million net loss for 2024 and $209.8 million in the first six months of 2025. It has also yet to report anything but negative cash flows. Many quantum computing companies like IonQ are focused on research and development, and it may take time for them to generate commercial revenue streams.
Does IonQ pay a dividend?
IonQ does not pay a dividend. Given that IonQ is not reporting positive earnings or cash flow at this point, the likelihood of a dividend seems extremely low at any point in the near future.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
Will IonQ stock split?
IonQ has never split its stock. A stock split is when a company divides its existing shares into multiple shares, effectively lowering the price per share while maintaining the overall company value. IonQ went public in 2021 through a business combination with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). It has never traded above $75 a share.
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The bottom line on IonQ
IonQ is a major player in the quantum computing industry with lucrative contracts with government and commercial players, including some of the largest tech companies in the world. Its trapped-ion technology is seen as a leading approach that is capable of achieving high qubit counts and potentially lower error rates compared to other quantum computing platforms.
The company has consistently reported net losses, raising concerns about its long-term sustainability. It has raised significant capital through equity offerings, but its reliance on external funding rather than generating profitability could be a concern in the long run.
Some investors remain unconvinced about the immediate practical applications and long-term commercial success of quantum computing. Advances by competitors, especially those with more financial resources, could challenge IonQ's position. Broader economic concerns, like recessionary headwinds, could also negatively impact quantum computing stocks.
For investors who want to have a position in a company with a leading presence that is also a pure play in the emerging quantum computing landscape, IonQ could be worth a second look. Investors looking for a less risky business or a more profitable venture with low industry volatility might want to look elsewhere.
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