Why Quantum Computing Stock Ripped Higher Today
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By Rich Smith – May 12, 2026 at 11:11AM ESTKey PointsQuantum Computing beat on sales and on earnings, too, last night.Acquisitions of subsidiaries (and their revenue streams) helped to secure the sales beat.Quantum Computing (QUBT +14.64%) stock soared 19.2% through 10:55 a.m. ET Tuesday after exceeding expectations for Q1 earnings last night. Heading into the report, analysts forecast the eponymous quantum computing stock would lose $0.04 per share on sales of $2.8 million. In fact, Quantum Computing lost only $0.02 per share and reported quarterly sales of $3.7 million. Image source: Getty Images. Quantum Computing Q1 earnings Never underestimate the power of easy comparisons in start-up companies. One year ago, Quantum Computing had just $39,000 in quarterly revenue -- this time around, it collected 95 times that. Quantum won't be able to repeat this feat for too many more quarters, but it sure sounds nice while it lasts! Helping the company accomplish this were two acquisitions made in the quarter, made possible by Quantum Computing's massive $1.4 billion cash war chest. Each of Luminar Semiconductor, Inc. ("LSI") and NuCrypt, LLC contributed their respective revenue streams to Quantum Computing's total revenue haul, and Quantum admitted that these acquisitions "primarily" drove its revenue growth. ExpandNASDAQ: QUBTQuantum ComputingToday's Change(14.64%) $1.49Current Price$11.67Key Data PointsMarket Cap$2.3BDay's Range$11.61 - $14.4552wk Range$6.18 - $25.84Volume3.9MAvg Vol13MGross Margin-67346.04% What's next for Quantum Computing stock? Would it be better news if Quantum Computing had grown its revenues "primarily" by selling a lot of quantum computers? Of course it would. But Quantum is working on that, as well. Management noted it has $16 million in backlog, which is nearly four times the revenue Quantum Computing collected over the past year, and should help the company to maintain sales momentum. Granted, at $2.2 billion in market capitalization (more than 2,300 times trailing sales), investors are probably being a bit irrationally exuberant about the stock. Most analysts don't expect Quantum Computing to turn profitable before 2029 at the earliest. For the time being, though, Quantum Computing remains a momentum stock. Today, the momentum is firmly in its favor.Read NextMay 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?Apr 16, 2026 •By Eric VolkmanWhy Quantum Computing Stock Was Blasting Higher This WeekApr 15, 2026 •By Rich SmithWhy Quantum Computing Stock Keeps Going UpMay 12, 2026 •By Anders BylundWhy Zebra Technologies Stock Jumped 19.5% This MorningAbout 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$11.69(+14.78%)+$1.51*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.