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2 AI & Quantum Stocks to Buy Now for Gains in the Second Half of 2026
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Key Takeaways
Vertiv is benefiting from AI data center demand, higher 2026 guidance and the ThermoKey acquisition.
QUBT boosted first-quarter revenues through acquisitions and strengthened its quantum technology roadmap.
VRT and QUBT are positioned to benefit from AI infrastructure spending and quantum commercialization efforts.
Artificial intelligence and quantum computing have taken center stage in 2026. AI-driven infrastructure spending has reached record levels, while growing government support and enterprise adoption have accelerated the commercialization of quantum technologies.
Against this backdrop, we have picked two stocks, Vertiv Holdings (VRT - Free Report) and Quantum ComputingInc. (QUBT - Free Report) , which offer compelling exposure to two of the fastest-growing technology trends of 2026 — AI infrastructure and quantum computing commercialization.
Let’s get into more detail.
AI Spending Boom Remains Intact
These trends are expected to remain intact in the second half of 2026. Leading cloud providers continue to increase investments in AI infrastructure to support rapidly growing demand for generative AI workloads. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) has reiterated its plans to invest about $80 billion in AI-enabled data centers in fiscal 2025, while Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to approximately $85 billion, citing strong demand for AI infrastructure and cloud services. Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) has also increased its 2025 capital expenditure outlook to $64-$72 billion to expand its AI infrastructure.
Government Support Strengthens Quantum Outlook
The sustained wave of hyperscale spending is expected to support demand for advanced computing, power and cooling infrastructure well into the second half of 2026. Meanwhile, the outlook for quantum computing has received a meaningful boost from U.S. policy initiatives.
On June 22, President Donald Trump signed executive orders directing federal agencies to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of quantum computing, sensing and networking technologies, update the National Quantum Strategy, strengthen domestic quantum supply chains, expand public-private partnerships and speed up the transition to post-quantum cybersecurity. These initiatives are expected to encourage additional government and enterprise investment in the quantum ecosystem over the coming months, creating a favorable backdrop for companies developing quantum technologies.
Stocks to Buy Now
Vertiv: The company continues to benefit from the AI infrastructure spending boom. In first-quarter 2026, the company’s revenues rose 30% year over year, while adjusted operating margin expanded to 20.8%. Management also raised its 2026 guidance, reflecting continued strength in AI-driven data center demand. In June, Vertiv completed the acquisition of ThermoKey, expanding its liquid cooling and heat rejection capabilities for AI applications. With hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta maintaining elevated AI infrastructure investments, Vertiv is well positioned to benefit from sustained demand for power, thermal management and digital infrastructure solutions through the second half of 2026.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock is expected to report earnings growth of 51.7% on revenue growth of 34.2% in 2026. Based on short-term price targets offered by 22 analysts, the average price target of $362.45 for Vertiv represents an increase of 20.6% from the last closing price.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Quantum Computing or QCi: The company is gaining traction as demand for photonics-based quantum and sensing technologies increases. In first-quarter 2026, revenues jumped to $3.7 million from $39,000 a year ago, aided by the acquisitions of Luminar Semiconductor and NuCrypt. The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Management said the acquisitions strengthen QCi's roadmap for commercial quantum computing, quantum cybersecurity and photonic technologies.
The June 22 executive orders aimed at accelerating quantum commercialization and strengthening domestic quantum capabilities could provide an additional tailwind for companies like QCi in the second half of 2026 as government and enterprise adoption continues to expand.
This stock, too, is a compelling buy right now with a Zacks Rank #2. Based on short-term price targets offered by six analysts, the average price target of $18.33 for QCi represents an increase of 95.62% from the last closing price.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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2 AI & Quantum Stocks to Buy Now for Gains in the Second Half of 2026
Key Takeaways
Artificial intelligence and quantum computing have taken center stage in 2026. AI-driven infrastructure spending has reached record levels, while growing government support and enterprise adoption have accelerated the commercialization of quantum technologies.
Against this backdrop, we have picked two stocks, Vertiv Holdings (VRT - Free Report) and Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT - Free Report) , which offer compelling exposure to two of the fastest-growing technology trends of 2026 — AI infrastructure and quantum computing commercialization.
Let’s get into more detail.
AI Spending Boom Remains Intact
These trends are expected to remain intact in the second half of 2026. Leading cloud providers continue to increase investments in AI infrastructure to support rapidly growing demand for generative AI workloads. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) has reiterated its plans to invest about $80 billion in AI-enabled data centers in fiscal 2025, while Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to approximately $85 billion, citing strong demand for AI infrastructure and cloud services. Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) has also increased its 2025 capital expenditure outlook to $64-$72 billion to expand its AI infrastructure.
Government Support Strengthens Quantum Outlook
The sustained wave of hyperscale spending is expected to support demand for advanced computing, power and cooling infrastructure well into the second half of 2026. Meanwhile, the outlook for quantum computing has received a meaningful boost from U.S. policy initiatives.
On June 22, President Donald Trump signed executive orders directing federal agencies to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of quantum computing, sensing and networking technologies, update the National Quantum Strategy, strengthen domestic quantum supply chains, expand public-private partnerships and speed up the transition to post-quantum cybersecurity. These initiatives are expected to encourage additional government and enterprise investment in the quantum ecosystem over the coming months, creating a favorable backdrop for companies developing quantum technologies.
Stocks to Buy Now
Vertiv: The company continues to benefit from the AI infrastructure spending boom. In first-quarter 2026, the company’s revenues rose 30% year over year, while adjusted operating margin expanded to 20.8%. Management also raised its 2026 guidance, reflecting continued strength in AI-driven data center demand. In June, Vertiv completed the acquisition of ThermoKey, expanding its liquid cooling and heat rejection capabilities for AI applications. With hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta maintaining elevated AI infrastructure investments, Vertiv is well positioned to benefit from sustained demand for power, thermal management and digital infrastructure solutions through the second half of 2026.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock is expected to report earnings growth of 51.7% on revenue growth of 34.2% in 2026. Based on short-term price targets offered by 22 analysts, the average price target of $362.45 for Vertiv represents an increase of 20.6% from the last closing price.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Quantum Computing or QCi: The company is gaining traction as demand for photonics-based quantum and sensing technologies increases. In first-quarter 2026, revenues jumped to $3.7 million from $39,000 a year ago, aided by the acquisitions of Luminar Semiconductor and NuCrypt. The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Management said the acquisitions strengthen QCi's roadmap for commercial quantum computing, quantum cybersecurity and photonic technologies.
The June 22 executive orders aimed at accelerating quantum commercialization and strengthening domestic quantum capabilities could provide an additional tailwind for companies like QCi in the second half of 2026 as government and enterprise adoption continues to expand.
This stock, too, is a compelling buy right now with a Zacks Rank #2. Based on short-term price targets offered by six analysts, the average price target of $18.33 for QCi represents an increase of 95.62% from the last closing price.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research