IonQ, Inc. (IONQ)
IonQ is a pioneer in the world of quantum computing, building powerful machines that aim to solve complex problems far beyond the reach of today's computers.
Is IonQ, Inc. a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: IonQ is a pioneer in the world of quantum computing, building powerful machines that aim to solve complex problems far beyond the reach of today's computers.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only; any dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Quantum computing becomes a standard tool for global industries.
The technology fails to prove more useful than traditional supercomputers.
What does IonQ, Inc. do?
IonQ builds quantum computers that use the unique properties of atoms to process information in ways traditional silicon chips simply cannot. Income flows from selling cloud access to these machines and from research partnerships with large organisations. Watch how quickly they can move from experimental research to reliable, large-scale commercial use.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on growth and quality, and weakest on momentum.
- !Pays no dividend - the whole return rides on the share price
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 755% over the year
- ✓Very profitable - turns about 175% of sales into profit
- !High P/E of 91 - big growth is already priced in
- ✓Low debt - a sturdier balance sheet
- Growth screens high (99/100)
- Operating at the cutting edge of a potentially transformative technology
- Exceptional year-on-year revenue growth
- Strong intellectual property portfolio in quantum hardware
- Momentum screens low (14/100)
- Income screens low (16/100)
- Extreme share price volatility due to high beta
- Significant technical hurdles to achieving reliable quantum computing
- Intense competition from well-capitalised technology conglomerates
What do IonQ, Inc.'s numbers mean?
How much money does IonQ, Inc. make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does IonQ, Inc. pay a dividend?
No - IonQ, Inc. doesn't currently pay a dividend, so the whole return would rest on the share price. Plenty of growing companies reinvest their profits instead of paying them out - neither approach is better or worse, they're just different.
When does IonQ, Inc. report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
IonQ, Inc. is next scheduled to report on about 2026-08-05 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-06 | $-0.24 | $-0.34 | Missed -39% |
| 2026-02-25 | $-0.47 | $1.93 | Beat +508% |
| 2025-11-05 | $-0.19 | $-0.17 | Beat +11% |
| 2025-08-06 | $-0.14 | $-0.14 | Missed -3% |
| 2025-05-07 | $-0.14 | $-0.16 | Missed -13% |
| 2025-02-26 | $-0.25 | $-0.93 | Missed -272% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, IonQ, Inc. came in ahead of what analysts expected 2 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Hewlett Packard EnterpriseWhat are the scenarios for IonQ, Inc.?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of IonQ, Inc.?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Operating at the cutting edge of a potentially transformative technology
- Exceptional year-on-year revenue growth
- Strong intellectual property portfolio in quantum hardware
- High valuation relative to current sales
- Business model is still in the early, unproven stages
- No dividend payments as all cash is reinvested into growth
- Extreme share price volatility due to high beta
- Significant technical hurdles to achieving reliable quantum computing
- Intense competition from well-capitalised technology conglomerates
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A major breakthrough by a competitor that renders IonQ's hardware obsolete
- A sustained period where the company fails to secure new commercial contracts
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-01 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.