The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights IonQ and Rigetti

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – June 23, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks and featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: IonQ IONQ and Rigetti Computing RGTI.Here are highlights from Tuesday Analyst Blog:2 Quantum Stocks That Are a Sell Today Despite Showing Long-Term PromiseIonQ and Rigetti Computing remain among the leading names in the quantum computing industry, but that has not insulated the stocks from recent selling pressure. With interest rates expected to stay elevated and profitability still years away, investors have turned cautious, sending IonQ shares down 11.1% and Rigetti shares down 19.2% over the past month.The recent pullback reflects changing investor sentiment rather than a deterioration in business fundamentals. Both companies continue to execute on their technology roadmaps and expand commercial traction.Valuation remains another concern. Even after the recent correction, both stocks continue to trade at a substantial premium to the broader technology sector. IonQ currently trades at about 64.2x forward 12-month sales, while Rigetti trades at roughly 186.9x, compared with the Computer and Technology sector average of 6.77x. Such elevated multiples leave little room for execution missteps and make the stocks particularly vulnerable during periods of rising interest rates.Strong Execution ContinuesIonQ's first-quarter 2026 revenues of $64.7 million increased more than eightfold year over year. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to $260-$270 million and expanded its remaining performance obligations to $470 million. Management noted about accelerating demand for quantum computing systems, progress on its 256-qubit platform, expanding quantum networking capabilities and continued momentum across government contracts and enterprise customers. IonQ also completed its acquisition of SkyWater, adding domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.Rigetti likewise reported encouraging operational progress. The company launched its 108-qubit Cepheus-1 system across major cloud platforms, nearly tripled revenues year over year to $4.4 million, continued expanding deployments of its Novera quantum processing units and systems and reiterated its roadmap to achieve quantum advantage in roughly three years. It also ended the quarter with approximately $569 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments and no debt, providing ample financial flexibility to support continued research and development.Macro Headwinds Affect Strong ExecutionThe pressure is largely coming from outside the companies. The latest macroeconomic data point to a less supportive backdrop for speculative growth stocks. Going by BLS’ May 2026 report, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.2% year over year in May, marking the fastest pace of inflation since April 2023, while core CPI increased 2.9%.Meanwhile, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% in May and nonfarm payrolls increased by 172,000, underscoring a still-resilient labor market. In response, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% at its June 17 meeting and signaled a more hawkish outlook as inflation remains above its 2% target. Higher Treasury yields and expectations that rates could stay elevated for longer have reduced investor appetite for long-duration growth stocks.Companies like IonQ and Rigetti, whose valuations depend heavily on earnings expected years into the future, are particularly sensitive to higher discount rates and changing monetary policy expectations.Bottom LineIonQ and Rigetti remain well-positioned to capitalize on the long-term growth of the quantum computing industry, supported by technological advancements, expanding commercial partnerships and solid balance sheets. However, their lofty valuations, lack of near-term profitability and an unfavorable macro environment could continue to weigh on their shares in the coming months.Given the limited near-term upside and elevated risks, both stocks currently carry a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Investors may consider trimming their holdings or taking partial profits while awaiting a more attractive entry point as commercialization and earnings visibility improve.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing StrategiesSince 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.Get all the details here >> Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                      https://www.zacks.com                                                 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks