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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights QTUM, IonQ, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 24, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM - Free Report) , IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) , D-Wave Quantum (QBTS - Free Report) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Quantum Outlook for March 2026: 3 Stocks with Over 100% Price Target
The quantum computing sector has recorded lackluster performance in February 2026. Month to date, the Defiance Quantum ETF has edged up 1.2% with many pure-plays showing volatility and sector-wide weakness as investors rotated away from high-risk, long-duration tech assets.
Amid geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty, many investors chose to sell their quantum stocks to lock in gains, putting downward pressure on prices.
Macroeconomic Backdrop
Monetary policy in major economies remains in pause mode. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady in late January 2026, keeping the federal funds rate at about 3.50–3.75%.
Other central banks are also maintaining elevated rates to control inflation while monitoring labor market stabilization. Fed minutes show job gains and unemployment stabilization, but inflation is still above target, restraining aggressive rate easing.
Further, heightened geopolitical tensions, such as in the Middle East and trade frictions involving North America, continue to elevate market uncertainty, potentially delaying capex in deep tech sectors. Additionally, global trade frictions add supply chain risk for hardware-intensive quantum ecosystems, dragging down sentiment.
As per major market watchers, stable job growth with unemployment near pre-pandemic levels supports consumer confidence but does not meaningfully shift risk appetite toward speculative equities like quantum stocks.
Market and Industry Fundamentals
Going by an Investing.com article, the global quantum computing market will reach about $2 billion in 2026, driven by defense, aerospace and early enterprise use cases, but the sector remains nascent with low current revenues.
Leading quantum computing companies, such as IonQ, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, all Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stocks, currently show significant upside in their short-term price targets.
IONQ's average price target represents an increase of 125.85% from the last closing price of $33.43.
QBTS's average price target represents an increase of 108.26% from the last closing price of $19.38.
RGTI's average price target represents an increase of 142.77% from the last closing price of $16.60.
March 2026 Outlook
These projections above are largely based on expectations that the companies will achieve key technological milestones, expand enterprise partnerships and accelerate commercialization of their quantum systems.
However, this bullish outlook is tempered by significant stock price volatility. Investors remain cautious because these firms are still in early revenue stages and profitability timelines are uncertain. As a result, valuations can swing sharply depending on fourth-quarter earnings updates (to be released shortly), contract wins, or broader market sentiment toward high-risk technology stocks.
Overall, given the data and estimates, March is likely to see selective stabilization rather than broad sector recovery. Stocks tied to defense contracts, hardware milestones or near-term revenues could outperform, while others could remain valuation-sensitive to macro risk and execution progress.
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Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights QTUM, IonQ, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 24, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM - Free Report) , IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) , D-Wave Quantum (QBTS - Free Report) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Quantum Outlook for March 2026: 3 Stocks with Over 100% Price Target
The quantum computing sector has recorded lackluster performance in February 2026. Month to date, the Defiance Quantum ETF has edged up 1.2% with many pure-plays showing volatility and sector-wide weakness as investors rotated away from high-risk, long-duration tech assets.
Amid geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty, many investors chose to sell their quantum stocks to lock in gains, putting downward pressure on prices.
Macroeconomic Backdrop
Monetary policy in major economies remains in pause mode. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady in late January 2026, keeping the federal funds rate at about 3.50–3.75%.
Other central banks are also maintaining elevated rates to control inflation while monitoring labor market stabilization. Fed minutes show job gains and unemployment stabilization, but inflation is still above target, restraining aggressive rate easing.
Further, heightened geopolitical tensions, such as in the Middle East and trade frictions involving North America, continue to elevate market uncertainty, potentially delaying capex in deep tech sectors. Additionally, global trade frictions add supply chain risk for hardware-intensive quantum ecosystems, dragging down sentiment.
As per major market watchers, stable job growth with unemployment near pre-pandemic levels supports consumer confidence but does not meaningfully shift risk appetite toward speculative equities like quantum stocks.
Market and Industry Fundamentals
Going by an Investing.com article, the global quantum computing market will reach about $2 billion in 2026, driven by defense, aerospace and early enterprise use cases, but the sector remains nascent with low current revenues.
Leading quantum computing companies, such as IonQ, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, all Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stocks, currently show significant upside in their short-term price targets.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here
IONQ's average price target represents an increase of 125.85% from the last closing price of $33.43.
QBTS's average price target represents an increase of 108.26% from the last closing price of $19.38.
RGTI's average price target represents an increase of 142.77% from the last closing price of $16.60.
March 2026 Outlook
These projections above are largely based on expectations that the companies will achieve key technological milestones, expand enterprise partnerships and accelerate commercialization of their quantum systems.
However, this bullish outlook is tempered by significant stock price volatility. Investors remain cautious because these firms are still in early revenue stages and profitability timelines are uncertain. As a result, valuations can swing sharply depending on fourth-quarter earnings updates (to be released shortly), contract wins, or broader market sentiment toward high-risk technology stocks.
Overall, given the data and estimates, March is likely to see selective stabilization rather than broad sector recovery. Stocks tied to defense contracts, hardware milestones or near-term revenues could outperform, while others could remain valuation-sensitive to macro risk and execution progress.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.