IonQ’s Stock (NYSE: IONQ) Continues Steady Gains off Recent Lows

IonQ's stock (NYSE: IONQ) is making higher lows, with the recent rally off $22 continuing a trend that has seen the price gain 25% since March 10th. Up 0.95% through this morning's pre-market, the bulls look to turn around what has been a difficult start to the year for the momentum name. The company operates at the cutting edge of quantum computing technology, and has been firmly hit by broader market uncertainty and the specific challenges facing high-growth, pre-profitability tech stocks.

IonQ's stock price performance over the past year is a tale of two distinct chapters. While early investors who held through the volatility have been rewarded handsomely, as IonQ added 147% over the last 12 months, recent months have painted a different picture.

The stock has faced considerable headwinds since the start of the year, with the YTD loss of 46.19% leaving holders who bought through the first two months of the year likely sitting firmly in the red.

Technical signals currently offer conflicting interpretations, with the stock noticeably below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA). On the other hand, the price remains above its longer-term 200-day SMA of $20.69, having recaptured the level in early March and bounced off of it twice since. The blue line in the image above represents the 200MA, with the Red line the 50 Day SMA. The 8 period, and 30 period are converging, with markets in a period of uncertainty as broader markets await tariff news.

Operationally, while profitability remains distant, investors will keenly focus on the top line. IonQ management has guided for Q1 revenue between $7.0 million and $8.0 million.

Reviewing the full-year 2024 performance provides crucial context. IonQ delivered robust revenue of $43.1 million, marking a significant 95% year-over-year increase. Furthermore, the company secured $95.6 million in bookings, up 47% YoY, indicating a strong pipeline for future revenue conversion. Building on this, IonQ projects continued aggressive growth in Fiscal Year 2025, guiding for revenue between $75 million and $95 million.

However, this rapid expansion comes at a steep price. The company anticipates an adjusted EBITDA loss hovering around $120 million for the full year. This highlights IonQ's current strategy: prioritizing technological development, market penetration, and scaling operations over near-term profitability – a common, albeit risky, path for companies aiming to disrupt established industries. .

Further bolstering its long-term strategy, IonQ recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in ID Quantique, a Swiss firm recognized as a leader in quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum sensing. This strategic acquisition signals IonQ's ambition to expand beyond pure quantum computation into the adjacent, high-potential fields of quantum networking and security.

The company remains a technological frontrunner in a potentially revolutionary field, however, the significant and growing losses, the recent sharp stock pullback, and the inherent uncertainties of commercializing deep technology demand significant conviction and a long-term horizon.