IonQ Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) fourth-quarter results have moved the quantum computing sector from a space of theoretical promise into a period of measurable commercial growth.
IONQ Q4
The company reported a massive revenue beat, bringing in $61.9 million for the fourth quarter.
This figure represents a 429% increase compared to the previous year and significantly outpaced Wall Street's expectations. For the full year, IonQ hit $130 million in revenue, making it the first pure-play quantum firm to cross the $100 million annual threshold.
Investors responded with enthusiasm, sending shares up nearly 20% in a single session.
IonQ's performance lifted the entire sector because it provides proof that customers are willing to pay for quantum services and suggests that businesses are beginning to integrate quantum logic into actual workflows.
About 60% of IonQ's revenue comes from commercial contracts rather than government grants or academic research.
QBTS Earnings Recap
D-Wave Quantum, Inc. (NYSE:QBTS)reported Q4 results on Thursday morning, presenting a more complex picture than IonQ. The company missed both top and bottom-line estimates, with revenue coming in at $2.8 million for the quarter.
However, D-Wave saw massive bookings growth with $13.4 million in Q4 and followed that up with over $30 million in January alone.
With a record liquidity position of over $884 million and the recent acquisition of Quantum Circuits, D-Wave's annealing and gate-model technologies are seeing a surge in enterprise interest despite the quarterly revenue lag.
RGTI and QUBT Preview
Looking ahead to next week, Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:RGTI) and Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:QUBT) will take the stage.
Rigetti is scheduled to report next Wednesday, with analysts expecting a loss of 5 cents per share on revenue of $2.67 million, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Investors will be watching for updates on the Ankaa system and any progress toward their long-term hardware roadmap.
Quantum Computing is set to report next Monday and the focus there will be on its photonics-based systems and if it can continue past momentum.
The upcoming reports could determine if the current quantum rally has enough fuel to continue through the end of the quarter.
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