Why IonQ Stock Popped Today
Key Points
Quantum computing stocks in general outperformed the market in 2025.
IonQ stock in particular barely kept pace with the S&P 500.
- 10 stocks we like better than IonQ ›
Shares of quantum computing company IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) soared 10% through 11:25 a.m. ET Monday. And why?
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
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.
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.
Should you buy stock in IonQ right now?
Before you buy stock in IonQ, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and IonQ wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $509,039!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,109,506!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 972% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 193% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 22, 2025.
Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends IonQ. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
