Quantum computing is back in focus for 2025. After a volatile start to the year, major players like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Nvidia are pushing forward with hardware, cloud-based integration, and AI-linked breakthroughs. That’s why the top traders are watching this sector again—not chasing hype, but tracking setups tied to real catalysts.
Check out my current quantum computing and AI penny stock watchlist here!
This watchlist focuses on publicly traded companies involved in quantum computing, including pure-plays and large-cap tech giants. You’ll see stocks on both the Nasdaq and NYSE, from speculative low-float movers to high-stability names that anchor ETFs and institutional portfolios. I don’t trade names like these unless the setup fits my criteria, but I monitor them every day for potential spikes, sector sympathy, and short squeeze potential.
These aren’t picks—they’re potential trades. Watch the news, earnings, and volume. Use the data to build a smarter strategy. That’s how I teach my students, and that’s how I trade every day.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Quantum Computing?
- 2 Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Watch
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks by Category
- 4 How to Trade Quantum Computing Stocks
- 5 Key Takeaways
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6.1 Are there any ETFs for quantum computing stocks?
- 6.2 How does quantum computing impact cybersecurity stocks?
- 6.3 What is the future growth potential for quantum computing stocks?
- 6.4 What are the advantages of investing in quantum technology today?
- 6.5 How does quantum computing relate to the financial sector?
- 6.6 How should new traders approach a sector as complex as quantum?
What Is Quantum Computing?
Quantum computing is based on qubits, which can hold multiple values simultaneously. This allows quantum computers to run calculations and simulations that would take classical machines years to solve—if they could solve them at all. They’re not just theoretical anymore. Systems are being tested in cloud environments and used for niche applications like encryption and molecular modeling.
The potential for this tech to disrupt industries like cybersecurity, finance, and biotech is huge—but most of the companies in this space are still pre-profit. I’ve taught thousands of traders how to avoid hype and stick to patterns. That’s even more important in a space like this, where valuations are based more on potential than cash flow.
Quantum applications are still early-stage. But the bigger names here are working with governments, research universities, and the private sector. If you’re building a watchlist for innovation-driven sectors, you need to understand where this fits in—and how it trades.
Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Watch
These stocks all have ties to quantum computing—some are high-growth large caps, and others are small-cap speculative movers. I track these for technical setups, volume shifts, and sector momentum.
Before you send in your orders, take note: I have NO plans to trade these stocks unless they fit my preferred setups. This is only a watchlist.
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Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT)
Microsoft isn’t just a cloud software name anymore. Its Azure Quantum platform and new Majorana 1 chip are pushing the limits of topological qubit development. This hardware breakthrough aims to solve stability and error-correction issues, and it could bring quantum applications into commercial use faster than anyone expected.
In my trading courses, I always stress that institutional strength matters. Microsoft’s cash position, strategic partnerships, and hybrid cloud strategy make it one of the most future-oriented companies in the sector. It’s not a penny stock, and you won’t see wild moves every day—but it’s the kind of name that leads long-term sector growth.
This stock won’t fit every strategy. But for investors building around innovation, MSFT belongs on your radar. Big moves start with big names—and Microsoft is leading again.
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL)
Alphabet’s been in the quantum race for years. Its Sycamore and Willow processors showed proof-of-concept for quantum supremacy, and now it’s using partnerships—like the CUDA-Q platform with Nvidia—to push its quantum research into cloud-based simulations. Google Quantum AI is also working on reducing system errors and improving model training for AI tools.
Alphabet is a tech heavyweight with real exposure to quantum computing and AI. I always tell traders to look at what the company actually does—and this one is investing hard in the future of computation. Suzanne Frey sits on the board overseeing security and tech risk, so you know they’re thinking big-picture.
It’s not a fast-moving trade setup right now, but it should stay on your tech-focused watchlist. News events, research updates, and partnerships can still move it.
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IonQ Inc. (NYSE: IONQ)
IonQ is one of the only pure-play quantum stocks on the NYSE. It builds trapped-ion quantum computers and has partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. But it’s also speculative—this stock swings hard on earnings, forecasts, and quantum sector buzz. It just posted a wider-than-expected loss despite strong revenue growth.
Check out my in-depth breakdown of IONQ here.
This is the type of name I teach students to watch after a selloff. It’s high-volatility and still lacks consistent revenue, but it’s also sensitive to news and quantum announcements. IONQ can be a sympathy mover when names like NVDA or MSFT spike.
For active traders, it’s one of the most tradable names in this sector. Just have a plan before you enter—it moves fast, both ways.
Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA)
Nvidia dominates AI chips, but it’s also ramping up its quantum strategy. The CUDA-Q software stack and new quantum research center in Boston show that this company is serious about building both hardware and hybrid quantum systems. And because it moves the entire semiconductor-based tech sector, every announcement has ripple effects.
Case in point—Jensen Huang gave quantum computing its first big shock back in January, when he told the world that practical quantum computing is decades away.
I’ve shown students how NVDA leads the pack when it comes to speculative tech cycles. When Nvidia moves, other names follow. That includes penny stocks like RGTI and QBTS.
It’s a high-priced stock, but it’s one of the most market-expanding, data-driven companies out there. Watch for upgrades, breakthroughs, and institutional accumulation.
Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI)
Rigetti is a pure-play quantum stock with a history of big percentage moves. It builds quantum circuits using a hybrid model that integrates quantum and classical computation, and it recently got a boost from a Department of Defense quantum initiative. But it’s still a startup-heavy, cash-burning company with inconsistent earnings.
This is the type of ticker I teach students to approach with caution—but also opportunity. When RGTI gets volume or news, it can run 30% or more in a single session. I’ve traded moves like that and helped students identify breakout patterns in real time.
Check out RGTI’s latest moves here!
Rigetti isn’t investment-grade yet. But it’s a watchlist name if you’re trading volatility.
* Past performance isn’t indicative of future results
Quantum Computing Stocks by Category
Traders looking to build a research-based watchlist in the quantum sector should start by separating companies by type—tech giants, pure-play builders, and cybersecurity-focused firms. These categories help clarify the specific strengths, risks, and innovation cycles each stock represents. Quantum computing is a broad, industry-transforming space, but not every stock in it serves the same purpose or fits the same trading strategy.
When I teach students to analyze stocks in emerging industries like this one, I emphasize the importance of categorization. Understanding whether a company is building quantum chips, investing in error correction, or applying quantum mechanics to cloud-computing-related services changes how you evaluate its upside and risk. Grouping stocks by role—rather than lumping them all together—can make your analysis sharper and your trade planning more effective.
Technology Giants with Quantum Trading
Some of the most prominent companies trading on the S&P 500 are also leading the way in quantum innovation. These include Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM, and Nvidia—all industry-leading firms with AI-integrated, cloud-computing-enhanced projects under active development. Their massive R&D budgets and broad product reach make them attractive for long-term-focused investors who want exposure to quantum advancements without taking on pure-play volatility.
These major tech players are pushing quantum research while staying profitable in other areas. That gives them staying power, but also less exposure to pure quantum gains. Traders looking for stocks more directly tied to quantum breakthroughs might want to compare these with smaller names focused only on the tech. Here’s a list of the best quantum computing stocks right now.
Over the years, I’ve shown thousands of traders how to track corporate milestones and collaborations to identify key shifts in market expansion. Tech giants may move slowly compared to startups, but their moves are more durable and often backed by deeper infrastructure. If your goal is to compile a smart, diversified portfolio that balances innovation with scale, this category deserves your attention.
Pure-Play Quantum Computing Stocks
This group includes companies like IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, and Quantum Computing Inc.—firms laser-focused on building and commercializing quantum computing hardware and software. These are research-intensive, risk-sensitive stocks operating on the cutting edge of machine learning, quantum chips, and optimization problems. For speculative traders, pure-plays offer high-growth potential—but they’re also among the most volatile names in the market.
Pure-play quantum stocks are risky, but that’s where traders often look for outsized moves. Most are still in the early stages, with limited revenue and lots of volatility. These names tend to attract fast movers and penny stock traders. Here’s a breakdown of quantum penny stocks to watch.
In my trading courses, I stress that pure-plays often respond more to sector catalysts than fundamentals. Government-backed contracts, analyst-recommended articles, or even small updates in quantum error correction can trigger major price shifts. These setups aren’t for everyone, but for traders willing to monitor news and understand the Board of Directors’ direction, they can provide strong short-term opportunities.
Quantum Cybersecurity and Communication Stocks
Another developing category involves quantum encryption, cybersecurity, and communication platforms. These companies work on quantum key distribution (QKD) and secure information transfer systems, which could disrupt how sensitive data is handled across finance, defense, and global networks. While many are still in early-stage testing, their innovations are already being reviewed by government agencies and defense contractors for long-term adoption.
Traders who’ve studied my approach know I don’t chase what’s trending—I monitor what’s evolving. Quantum cybersecurity plays don’t spike as often, but when breakthroughs happen, price action can be fast and meaningful. This is a feature of speculative stocks tied to future-oriented problems that legacy systems can’t solve.
How to Trade Quantum Computing Stocks
Trading quantum computing stocks requires a strategy built on analysis, risk awareness, and consistent review. The sector includes everything from high-volume tech giants to speculative startups, each with unique patterns tied to innovation, earnings, and collaboration announcements. Because the industry is still developing, most of the moves are narrative-driven—so understanding how to compare milestones, analyst opinions, and market trends is essential.
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Risks Involved in Quantum Computing Trading
The risks in trading quantum stocks aren’t just about price swings—they’re about valuation, uncertainty, and long lead times on product delivery. Quantum companies, especially the semiconductor-linked and startup-based ones, face ongoing challenges in error correction, hardware scaling, and commercial accessibility. Even analyst-recommended names can collapse if a key partnership falls through or an R&D timeline slips.
I teach that in risk-sensitive sectors like this one, performance is only half the story—you also have to track the downside. Stocks in this category can fall fast on disappointing updates or negative reviews, and long-term investment strategies may not match the volatility. If you’re speculating, you’ve got to identify both the potential and the pitfall. Always hedge and stay sharp with your market analysis.
Key Takeaways
- Quantum computing is still early-stage but showing real progress in research and applications.
- Big tech companies like Microsoft and Alphabet are investing in infrastructure and pushing toward hardware innovation.
- Pure-play stocks like IONQ and RGTI are volatile but can offer trading opportunities when volume comes in.
- Use proper strategy and risk controls. This isn’t the place to speculate blindly.
- Track news, patents, partnerships, and university research. Momentum usually starts with a headline.
This is a market tailor-made for traders who are prepared. Stick to your plan, manage your risk, and don’t let FOMO drive your decisions.
These opportunities are fast and unpredictable, but with the right strategy, you can make them work for you.
If you want to know what I’m looking for—check out my free webinar here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any ETFs for quantum computing stocks?
Yes—one of the few options is the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). It includes names like IBM, Nvidia, and Honeywell. But like any ETF, check the holdings before you invest. Don’t assume the name tells the whole story.
How does quantum computing impact cybersecurity stocks?
Quantum computers could break today’s encryption—making current security tools obsolete. That’s why some companies are racing to build quantum-proof encryption. Stocks in this space are speculative, but they may see long-term benefit if adoption grows.
What is the future growth potential for quantum computing stocks?
Long-term potential is massive—but near-term volatility is just as real. Practical applications in drug discovery, optimization, and AI could take years. In the meantime, traders need to track breakthroughs, earnings, and funding rounds to identify short-term opportunities.
What are the advantages of investing in quantum technology today?
Quantum technology offers unique benefits over traditional computing, especially in processing complex algorithms and solving optimization problems that challenge classical systems. As a technology-focused and investment-oriented sector, it presents opportunities for long-term performance gains—if traders understand where the actual advancements are being made. I’ve taught students to categorize sectors like this early and track milestones to spot when real momentum begins.
How does quantum computing relate to the financial sector?
Quantum computing has the potential to reshape the financial sector by enabling faster, more accurate models for risk analysis, asset pricing, and portfolio optimization. That gives it real-world advantages in areas like cloud computing, algorithms, and market forecasting. When evaluating these types of innovations, I always highlight how traders can diversify their watchlists while focusing on the information that moves shares in the stock market.
How should new traders approach a sector as complex as quantum?
Start with a comprehensive research mindset. Categorize companies by their stage of development, technology partnerships, and whether their features include practical advantages like cloud access or government collaboration. The key is to highlight benefits that match your goals—not just trends that sound exciting.
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