Analyst Backs IonQ Over QCi for 2026 After $130 Million Revenue Outpaced $682,000
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 3
Analyst Backs IonQ Over QCi for 2026 After $130 Million Revenue Outpaced $682,000
3 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 3
Summary
$130 million in 2025 revenue versus QCi’s $682,000 drove the analyst’s 2026 preference for IonQ, despite both companies remaining deeply unprofitable.
IonQ grew revenue 201.9% year over year, sells trapped-ion systems through cloud partners including Amazon and Microsoft, and posted a $510.4 million net loss with negative $299.6 million free cash flow.
QCi’s 82.8% revenue growth came off a tiny base, and its recent Q1 jump to $3.7 million from $39,000 was attributed mainly to the Luminar Semiconductor acquisition rather than clear customer traction.
Both companies had no meaningful debt, but IonQ traded at a far lower price-to-sales multiple of 147.6x versus QCi’s 1,887.4x, while each faces execution risks tied to acquisitions and scaling.
IonQ still carries major hurdles, including antitrust scrutiny of its $1.8 billion SkyWater deal and 22% short interest, underscoring how early and volatile the quantum computing market remains.