Elite Quantum Stocks To Own In September 2026

With central banks sounding more hawkish on inflation and rate hikes, investors are paying closer attention to technologies that could reshape computing power and data analysis over the long term. Quantum computing stocks tap into this theme by targeting hardware, software, and research that aim to tackle complex problems traditional systems struggle to handle. This article highlights three companies from our quantum computing screener to watch now.

The stocks covered below are just a small sample from the quantum computing theme, and the full screen surfaced 22 more companies with equally compelling narratives that are not included in this article. To identify and analyze the highest conviction ideas in this space, go straight to the Quantum Computing Stocks screener.

IonQ (IONQ)

Overview: IonQ is a quantum computing company that builds commercial trapped ion quantum computers and sells access to them through major cloud platforms such as AWS Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum, and Google Cloud, as well as through direct hardware sales and support. Alongside this, IonQ also works on quantum safe communications, detection systems, and specialized hardware contracts, plus some semiconductor manufacturing, but these play a supporting role to its core quantum computing and cloud access focus.

Operations: IonQ reports US$246 million of revenue from Computer Services, with most activity tied to quantum computing access, hardware contracts, and related services across the United States, Switzerland, and other international markets.

Market Cap: US$15.57b

IonQ provides direct exposure to commercial quantum hardware through its trapped ion quantum computers that are already accessible on AWS Braket, Azure Quantum, and Google Cloud, which is uncommon in a field where much activity is still in the lab. The company is working toward larger qubit systems and fault tolerant computing, supported by government contracts, cloud partnerships, and acquisitions that aim to build a fuller stack from chips to photonics and networking. At the same time, IonQ remains loss making, has relied on share dilution, and operates in a capital intensive area, so execution and funding discipline are key watchpoints. For investors who can tolerate higher risk, IonQ offers exposure to one of the more ambitious attempts to commercialize quantum computing at scale.

IonQ’s push toward larger qubit systems on major clouds is only half the story. Before you decide how it fits your portfolio, review the 1 key reward and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!) that could change how you frame the upside.

Western Digital (WDC)

Overview: Western Digital is a major data storage supplier that designs and sells hard disk drives and related storage systems used in data centers, PCs, and consumer devices. It also collaborates with Open Quantum Design on quantum error correction technology that aims to make future quantum computers more reliable.

Operations: Western Digital generates its entire US$12.92b of reported revenue from Hard Disk Drives, serving customers across the United States, China, Hong Kong, the rest of Asia, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Market Cap: US$165.65b

Western Digital provides exposure to the build out of AI and quantum era infrastructure in a single company. Its hard drives support data center capacity for hyperscalers, while the partnership with Open Quantum Design connects the company to the critical problem of quantum error correction, a key hurdle for practical quantum computing. At the same time, earnings are heavily influenced by industry cycles, non cash gains and high margins that may not be permanent, and the stock has seen sharp moves in recent months. For investors willing to accept those swings, Western Digital combines scale storage cash flows, a theme linked quantum R&D angle and an equity story that some analysts view as mispriced.

Western Digital’s storage cash flows and quantum error correction work could be telling a very different story than recent share price swings suggest. Get the fuller picture with the 4 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Rigetti Computing (RGTI)

Overview: Rigetti Computing builds superconducting quantum processors and full quantum computers, then sells access to those systems through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services and QCS Outpost offerings so customers can run real workloads on its Novera, Cepheus and Ankaa series QPUs. This direct hardware plus QCaaS model anchors Rigetti firmly in the quantum computing theme, giving enterprises, researchers and governments hands on access to emerging quantum algorithms and hybrid quantum classical computing.

Operations: Rigetti reports US$13.35 million of revenue from Internet Software & Services, with sales split across the United States at US$7.29 million, Europe at US$2.15 million and Asia and others at US$3.91 million.

Market Cap: US$5.2b

Rigetti Computing is one to watch if you want pure play exposure to superconducting qubits, with Novera and Ankaa systems already in customer labs and delivered through both the cloud and on premises QCaaS setups. The company is tied into government programs and potential funding of up to US$100 million for superconducting quantum R&D, while also pushing into hybrid high performance computing through partnerships with HPE and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. At the same time, Rigetti remains loss making, carries funding risk in a capital heavy hardware business and has a share price that has been volatile. For investors comfortable with those trade offs, Rigetti offers a focused way to follow the progress of large scale quantum hardware and real world QCaaS adoption.

Rigetti’s superconducting push, government backed R&D and QCaaS partnerships could be masking a very different risk reward profile. Before you decide it is too early or too late, walk through the 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond Quantum?

New themes move fast. By the time most investors notice a breakout trend, early opportunities are already flying. Scan these fresh ideas before the crowd catches up.

• Target cash generative small caps before momentum headlines hit and review the curated 74 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash that are already proving they can fund their own growth.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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