Two quantum computing firms—IonQ Inc. (IONQ) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI)—emerge as top candidates for investor interest in March 2026, driven by increasing government contracts and R&D funding. Their shares have outperformed broader tech indices, signaling growing institutional confidence in the sector's near-term viability.
- IonQ reported $28M in quarterly revenue, up 42% YoY, backed by a $120M DOE contract.
- Rigetti secured $95M in defense R&D funding from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
- U.S. quantum initiative funding reached $1.8B in FY2026, a 20% increase from 2025.
- IonQ and Rigetti shares rose 58% and 44% YTD, outperforming S&P 500’s 12% gain.
- Total quantum computing market cap exceeds $78B, up 29% from end-2025.
- Sector momentum coincides with rising VIX and capital rotation into emerging tech.
IonQ and Rigetti Computing are leading the quantum computing charge in early 2026, with IonQ reporting a 42% increase in quarterly revenue to $28 million, fueled by a $120 million Department of Energy (DOE) contract awarded in January. Rigetti, meanwhile, secured a $95 million defense-related R&D grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, contributing to a 35% rise in its cash reserves over the past quarter. The sector’s growth is underpinned by strategic public and private investments, with the U.S. National Quantum Initiative allocating $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2026—up from $1.5 billion in 2025. This funding has accelerated commercialization timelines, with both companies advancing toward fault-tolerant quantum processors by 2028, a milestone expected to unlock applications in cryptography, logistics optimization, and materials science. On the market front, IonQ’s stock has gained 58% year-to-date, while Rigetti has surged 44%, outpacing the S&P 500’s 12% return. The broader quantum computing sector’s market cap now exceeds $78 billion, up 29% from 2025’s close, according to public filings and exchange data. These gains coincide with rising volatility in traditional tech stocks, as measured by the VIX index’s 15% uptick in February, prompting capital flow toward emerging tech themes. Investors are increasingly viewing quantum computing not as distant science but as a near-term industrial catalyst, particularly in defense and energy sectors where simulation capabilities offer tangible efficiency gains. The sector's performance is also influencing related markets, including semiconductor demand for cryogenic components and specialized software infrastructure.