Why Did Quantum Computing Stock Pop Today?
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Valued at only $2.2 billion in market capitalization, Quantum Computing (QUBT +15.74%) stock may have the best name in the quantum computing industry -- but it's still one of the smaller stocks in this industry. Despite what you may be seeing happen with the stock price today, however, I fear Quantum Computing may be destined to stay small. Shares of Quantum Computing leapt 16% through 11:05 a.m. ET Thursday morning, after The Wall Street Journal reported the Trump Administration plans to award $2 billion in grants to nine quantum computing companies and take equity stakes to secure its investment in each. Image source: Getty Images. Money for thee, but not for me That sounds like good news, but here's the thing: Quantum Computing is not one of these nine companies. Instead of giving money to Quantum Computing, the Trump Administration will award $100 million each to its rivals D-Wave Quantum (QBTS +24.66%), Infleqtion (INFQ +30.50%), and Rigetti Computing (RGTI +24.88%), $375 million to Globalfoundries (GFS +10.62%), and a cool $1 billion to International Business Machines (IBM +8.48%)! A handful of privately owned companies will split the remainder of the $2 billion.
And Quantum Computing itself will get none. ExpandNASDAQ: QUBTQuantum ComputingToday's Change(15.74%) $1.50Current Price$11.06Key Data PointsMarket Cap$2.2BDay's Range$10.32 - $11.2952wk Range$6.18 - $25.84Volume1.6MAvg Vol16MGross Margin-15399.17% What does this mean for Quantum Computing stock? So how is this good news for Quantum Computing stock, if it's getting no money, and everyone else is getting a lot of money -- plus backing from the U.S. government that will give it an interest in seeing Quantum Computing's rivals succeed (and perhaps that Quantum Computing fails)? I honestly don't see any logic in investors buying Quantum Computing stock on this news. With analysts still expecting the stock to lose money for years, it may be time to sell.Read NextMay 17, 2026 •By Keith NoonanWhy Quantum Computing Stock Skyrocketed This WeekMay 12, 2026 •By Rich SmithWhy Quantum Computing Stock Ripped Higher TodayMay 11, 2026 •By Motley Fool TranscribingQUBT Q1 2026 Earnings TranscriptMay 10, 2026 •By Anders BylundBest Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in ThemMay 8, 2026 •By Catie HoganIs Quantum Computing a Buy Right Now?May 21, 2026 •By Keithen DruryStock-Split Watch: Micron Could Be Next After Soaring by More Than 600% in 1 YearAbout the AuthorRich Smith is a contributing Motley Fool defense and stock market analyst covering publicly traded and emerging companies in defense, space, aerospace, and other sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Rich practiced international corporate law for Clifford Chance in Russia, and for the Russian-Ukrainian Legal Group in Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the College of William & Mary, a law degree from the University of Baltimore, and a language certification from the International Institute of Russian Language & Culture in Tver, Russian Federation. The Globe and Mail once featured him as “one of the best stock pickers since 2009.”TMFDittyX@RichSmithFoolStocks MentionedQuantum ComputingNASDAQ: QUBT$11.06(+15.64%)+$1.50International Business MachinesNYSE: IBM$243.21(+8.09%)+$18.21GlobalFoundriesNASDAQ: GFS$78.15(+10.40%)+$7.36D-Wave QuantumNYSE: QBTS$24.11(+24.90%)+$4.81Rigetti ComputingNASDAQ: RGTI$21.07(+24.82%)+$4.19Infleqtion NYSE: INFQ$14.88(+33.09%)+$3.70*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.