▌Top Stocks · QUANTUM COMPUTING·Updated September 16, 2026
Best Quantum Computing Stocks for September 2026: 10 Stocks
A countdown of ten quantum computing stocks spans pure-play developers, cloud platforms, semiconductor suppliers, industrial enablers and defense technology companies.
Top Stocks · QUANTUM COMPUTINGUpdated September 16, 2026
Quantum computing has moved beyond pure science-fiction hype, but it remains an early and highly speculative investment theme. The market is increasingly focused on commercialization: which companies can turn research into usable systems, cloud access, enterprise workloads and eventually error-corrected machines. A recent U.S. CHIPS-related funding round, including grants of up to $100 million, helped lift several quantum names and underscored the strategic importance governments place on the technology. That support can accelerate development, but it does not eliminate the technical, financial or valuation risks facing the sector.
Investors should separate the ecosystem into distinct business models. Pure-play quantum-computing-as-a-service companies offer the most direct exposure, while hardware and control-stack suppliers may benefit from whichever architecture ultimately wins. Diversified technology and industrial companies can provide cloud distribution, enterprise software, sensing, communications or semiconductor infrastructure. Trapped-ion, superconducting, annealing and photonic approaches remain important sub-segments, alongside middleware, algorithms and enabling components. The long-term investment case rests on government support, enterprise experimentation, cloud distribution, error correction, fault tolerance and the possibility of quantum advantage.
This countdown covers ten U.S.-listed companies with varying degrees of quantum relevance, from direct system developers to diversified businesses that participate through cloud, computing, communications or industrial infrastructure. The ranking emphasizes depth of exposure first and business fundamentals second. That approach means the pure plays appear prominently despite substantial losses, while larger profitable companies can offer a different way to participate in the build-out. The list runs in countdown order from #10 to #1, with the top-ranked selection revealed at the end.
Methodology brief: We screened U.S.-listed companies with market capitalizations above $500 million and assessed how directly their products, platforms or infrastructure connect with quantum computing. We then considered profitability, revenue and earnings growth, valuation, balance-sheet indicators, earnings execution and analyst consensus. The composite quality grade is a separate fundamental reference point, not the ranking itself. Because this is a countdown, the most attractive combination of theme exposure and business support appears at #1. Market data and company fundamentals are intended for a September 2026 refresh and can change materially as the sector develops.
What they do. The company builds superconducting quantum processors and quantum computers, including its Novera, Cepheus-1-36Q and Ankaa systems. It sells access through quantum computing as a service, while also offering cloud software, operating-system tools, QCS Outpost, chip fabrication services and professional support to commercial, government, academic and laboratory customers.
Why it fits. Rigetti is one of the most direct superconducting-quantum exposures in the group. Its combination of QPUs, cloud access, chip services and application development gives investors exposure to both the hardware layer and the experimentation phase in which customers test quantum algorithms and workflows.
Numbers that matter. Revenue growth was 185.3% year over year, but revenue was only $13.353 million and EBITDA was negative $87.229 million. Gross margin was 34.6%, while operating margin was negative 546.17%, ROE was negative 43.77% and trailing EPS was negative $0.82. The company was trading at a negative 99.33 price-to-earnings ratio, reflecting losses rather than a conventional earnings valuation.
Recent momentum. Rigetti beat estimates in only 2 of the last 7 reported quarters; its latest completed quarter produced EPS of negative $0.16 versus an estimate of negative $0.06, a negative 166.7% surprise. Analyst coverage shows 1 Buy and no reported Hold or Sell count, alongside a 4.8333 consensus score and an average target of $28.8125, but the composite rating remains C-.
What they do. The company develops annealing quantum computers, hybrid quantum-classical systems, developer tools and cloud services. Its Advantage and Advantage 2 systems are distributed through the Leap cloud service, while the Ocean software suite, hybrid solvers and D-Wave Launch help customers build applications for scheduling, logistics, routing, drug discovery and portfolio optimization.
Why it fits. D-Wave provides unusually direct exposure to the annealing approach and to the practical application layer around it. The company’s hybrid solver model is particularly relevant to commercialization because it combines quantum and classical resources for enterprise-scale optimization rather than relying solely on a future fault-tolerant machine.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $12.425 million and declined 0.6% year over year, while EBITDA was negative $161.195 million. Gross margin was a comparatively stronger 64.2%, but operating margin was negative 1,732.06%, ROE was negative 27.99% and trailing EPS was negative $0.70. The quoted price-to-earnings ratio was negative 23.91, underscoring that the current valuation is not supported by positive earnings.
Recent momentum. D-Wave has beaten estimates in 3 of the last 7 reported quarters. In the latest completed quarter, EPS was negative $0.13 versus an estimate of negative $0.12, an 8.3% miss; analysts nevertheless report 3 Buys, a 4.5 consensus score and an average target of $35.2363. The C- quality grade reflects the gap between direct theme exposure and weak current profitability.
What they do. The company develops quantum-computing systems and sells access to machines with different qubit capacities. Its systems are available through its own cloud service and through Amazon Web Services Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum and Google Cloud Marketplace, while additional activities include quantum-safe communications, quantum detection, specialized hardware, maintenance, consulting and semiconductor manufacturing.
Why it fits. IonQ offers direct exposure to quantum systems while also benefiting from cloud distribution. That combination gives customers multiple access points for experimentation and positions the company across hardware, cloud delivery, quantum-safe communications and related services rather than relying on a single revenue channel.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $246.474 million and grew 286.8% year over year, but EBITDA was negative $793.051 million. Gross margin was 30.9%, operating margin was negative 408.17%, ROE was negative 60.48% and trailing EPS was negative $3.82. The quoted negative 7.91 price-to-earnings ratio shows why rapid revenue growth has not yet translated into positive earnings.
Recent momentum. IonQ beat estimates in only 1 of the last 7 reported quarters. Its latest completed quarter showed EPS of negative $0.72 against an estimate of negative $0.59, a negative 22.0% surprise. Analyst coverage includes 1 Buy and 1 Hold, with a 4.4 consensus score and an average target of $69.25, while the C grade highlights the company’s continuing profitability challenge.
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What they do.AMD is a semiconductor company selling data-center processors, AI accelerators, GPUs, FPGAs, adaptive SoCs, networking products and embedded solutions. Its revenue comes from data-center, client and gaming, and embedded markets, with products sold to cloud providers, system integrators, original equipment manufacturers and distributors.
Why it fits.AMD is an indirect quantum-computing exposure rather than a pure play. Its FPGAs, adaptive SoCs, processors, GPUs and data-center infrastructure place it in the broader advanced-computing and enabling-hardware layer, which can benefit from increased experimentation with demanding workloads even when the eventual quantum architecture remains uncertain.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $41.305 billion and grew 50.1% year over year, while earnings growth was 159.5%. Gross margin was 55.7%, operating margin was 17.25%, net margin was 15.58%, ROE was 10.2% and EBITDA was $9.562 billion. The quoted P/E was 91.25, while the reported forward P/E was 31.746, indicating that expectations remain substantial despite a much stronger operating profile than the pure plays.
Recent momentum.AMD has beaten estimates in 5 of the last 7 reported quarters. In the latest completed quarter, EPS reached $1.66 versus an estimate of $1.35, a 23.0% beat. Analysts report 4 Buys and 13 Holds, a 4.16 consensus score and an average target of $616.508, while the composite grade is B.
What they do. Honeywell supplies industrial automation, building automation, sensing technologies, control systems, software, analytics, energy-management products and process technology. Its revenue model spans industrial products, services, software, engineering, licensed technology, equipment, catalysts and maintenance across industrial, building, energy and sustainability markets.
Why it fits. Honeywell is an indirect enabling-infrastructure inclusion. Its sensing, automation, controls, software and industrial process capabilities are relevant to the broader build-out of advanced computing environments, although the investment case is driven primarily by its diversified industrial operations rather than direct quantum-system sales.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $38.057 billion and grew 4.3% year over year, while earnings growth was 263.9%. Gross margin was 36.5%, operating margin was 20.25%, net margin was 21.58%, ROE was 46.58% and EBITDA was $8.512 billion. The quoted P/E was 13.39, giving this industrial exposure a materially different valuation profile from the loss-making pure plays.
Recent momentum. Honeywell has beaten estimates in all 7 of its last 7 reported quarters. Its latest completed quarter delivered EPS of $1.95 versus an estimate of $1.80, an 8.3% beat. Analysts report 2 Buys and 13 Holds, a 3.9231 consensus score and an average target of $263.4091; the A- quality grade is supported by its profitability and earnings consistency.
What they do. L3Harris provides mission-critical solutions through its Space & Mission Systems, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, and Missile Solutions segments. Its portfolio includes satellite and payload capabilities, tactical radios, software, waveforms, satellite terminals, battlefield systems, advanced missile technologies, night vision equipment and public-safety communications.
Why it fits. The company offers indirect exposure through communications, satellites, sensing and advanced mission systems rather than quantum computers themselves. Those capabilities align with the enabling side of the theme, particularly where future quantum applications intersect with secure communications, detection and government technology programs.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $12.856 billion and grew 190.0% year over year, although earnings growth declined 6.1%. Gross margin was 30.4%, operating margin was 9.73%, net margin was 10.37%, ROE was 8.19% and EBITDA was $2.146 billion. The quoted P/E was 22.54 and the reported forward P/E was 18.5874, offering a more established earnings base than the pure-play quantum names.
Recent momentum. L3Harris has beaten estimates in all 7 of its last 7 reported quarters. The latest completed quarter produced EPS of $3.13 versus an estimate of $2.80, an 11.8% beat. Analysts report 3 Buys and 5 Holds, with a 4.381 consensus score and an average target of $342.3572; the B+ grade reflects solid execution despite weaker year-over-year earnings growth.
What they do. Alphabet operates Google Services, Google Cloud and Other Bets. Its businesses include Search, YouTube, Android, devices, subscriptions, advertising, cloud and AI infrastructure, Vertex AI, Gemini enterprise services, cybersecurity, data and analytics, and Google Workspace.
Why it fits. Alphabet represents the cloud-distribution and enterprise-experimentation side of the theme. Its Google Cloud platform, AI infrastructure and enterprise software can provide a route for advanced-computing workloads to reach customers, making the stock a diversified participation vehicle rather than a direct quantum hardware bet.
Numbers that matter. Revenue was $445.866 billion and grew 24.2% year over year, while earnings growth was 294.0%. Gross margin was 60.9%, operating margin was 34.03%, net margin was 54.77%, ROE was 48.68% and EBITDA was $173.164 billion. The quoted P/E was 17.19, a relatively moderate multiple for a company with this scale, profitability and growth profile.
Recent momentum. Alphabet has beaten estimates in all 7 of its last 7 reported quarters. In the latest completed quarter, EPS was $9.11 against an estimate of $2.88, a 216.3% beat. Analysts report 16 Buys and 12 Holds, a 4.4118 consensus score and an average target of $422.336; the B+ quality grade reflects strong returns and margins.
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The screen covers U.S.-listed companies with market capitalizations above $500 million and uses a two-stage ranking process. First, companies are ordered by the depth of their exposure to quantum computing, including direct hardware, quantum cloud access, software, communications, sensing and enabling infrastructure. Second, business fundamentals help determine the order within that thematic universe. The review considers revenue scale and growth, earnings growth, margins, returns on capital, valuation, analyst consensus, earnings surprises and the composite quality grade. The list is refreshed monthly because quantum-related valuations, analyst expectations and commercialization signals can change quickly.
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