Stock Market Today, Feb. 26: IonQ Surges After Revenue and 2026 Guidance Exceed Expectations
IonQ (NYSE:IONQ), which develops trapped-ion quantum computers and related software, closed Thursday at $40.88, up 21.70%. The stock moved higher after Q4 results and 2026 revenue guidance topped expectations. A major European quantum network deployment was also announced, and investors are watching how sustained demand and backlog growth support its long-term quantum roadmap.
Trading volume reached 66.4 million shares, coming in about 234% above compared with its three-month average of 19.9 million shares. IonQ IPO'd in 2021 and has grown 279% since going public.
How the markets moved today
The broader markets pulled back Thursday, with the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) slipping 0.53% to 6,909 and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) falling 1.18% to 22,878. Among quantum computing peers, D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) closed at $20.14 (up 2.49%) and Quantum Computing (NASDAQ:QUBT) finished at $9.04 (up 4.15%), showing more modest gains than IonQ.
What this means for investors
IonQ tripled revenue to $130 million in 2025. The company expects that growth to continue, guiding investors to expect about $235 million in 2026 revenue, helping IonQ shares to soar.
Valuation remains a question for investors and analysts, however. A market cap of $14.5 billion implies a sharp increase in sales and reaching profitability are already also built into the stock price.
The company is working toward that end with a deployment of large-scale, operational quantum networks in several European countries in the quarter. It also announced plans to acquire SkyWater Technology, a leading quantum chip foundry to help build its platform.
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Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends IonQ and SkyWater Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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