Should I buy IonQ stock in 2025? Expert Analysis for NZ

What is IonQ?

How much is IonQ stock?

The price of IonQ stock is declining this week. IonQ is currently trading at $43.20 USD, with a 24-hour change of -9.17% and a positive weekly gain of 18.36%.

With a beta of 2.46, IonQ shares are considered highly volatile compared to the wider market—an important factor for New Zealand investors seeking exposure to the dynamic quantum computing sector.

Our full analysis of IonQ stock

Having thoroughly reviewed IonQ’s latest financial disclosures alongside its stock performance over the past three years, we have synthesized a comprehensive view using proprietary algorithms that merge key financial metrics, advanced technical signals, sector trends, and peer benchmarking. This multi-faceted, data-driven approach reveals both the exceptional trajectory and unique positioning of IonQ, a leading player in quantum computing. So, why might IonQ stock once again become a strategic entry point into the next era of disruptive technology in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has delivered a performance that stands out even in the volatile tech sector. As of May 2025, the stock trades at $43.20 USD, reflecting an extraordinary +430.71% gain over the past year and an additional +18.36% over the last six months. While it recently experienced a temporary intraday pullback of -9.17%—a testament to its elevated volatility—this is characteristic of high-growth equities on the cusp of transformational industry shifts.

• Leadership Reshuffle: The appointment of Niccolo de Masi as CEO in February 2025 and Peter Chapman’s transition to executive chairman reinforce IonQ’s vision and operational excellence.
• Strategic Partnerships: High-profile deals—such as a $22M contract with EPB for the world’s first commercial quantum hub, a collaboration with logistics innovator Einride (Sweden), and a pivotal MoU with KISTI in South Korea—expand both revenue streams and global traction.
• Favourable Industry Tailwinds: The quantum computing sector now enjoys unprecedented policy and investment support, driven by government and private sector commitments globally—a context that bodes particularly well for innovation leaders like IonQ. Ageing classical computing infrastructure and exponential demands in AI, logistics, simulation, and cybersecurity further underpin robust sectoral momentum.

These elements collectively foster an environment highly conducive to positive price action, especially for investors seeking transformative growth stories.

Technical Analysis

• RSI at 78.64 indicates the stock is in overbought territory—a signal often associated with high-conviction institutional accumulation during strong uptrends.
• MACD of 3.72 reflects robust bullish momentum, supported by persistent demand at progressively higher price levels.
• Moving Averages: The stock’s price is decisively above both the 50-day ($28.26) and 200-day moving averages, generating a classic technical buy signal. The 200-day breach, in particular, often sets the stage for multi-quarter re-ratings.
• Support and Resistance: There is a clear near-term support at $39.00, suggesting a solid price floor. The next resistance is at $44.50, positioning the stock at the cusp of a potential breakout. Over the past 52 weeks, the price has ranged from $6.22 (low) to $54.74 (high), showcasing the extent of recent momentum.

From a charting perspective, IonQ appears to be consolidating gains above key technical levels, a pattern frequently preceding renewed surges—especially when supported by high trading volumes and a compelling narrative.

Fundamental Analysis

• Revenue Expansion: Q1 2025 revenue reached $7.6 million, outpacing guidance midpoints. Fiscal 2024 revenue of $43.1 million marks a 95% year-on-year increase—a rare feat in any tech vertical.
• Balance Sheet Strength: With $697.1 million in liquidity as at 31 March 2025, IonQ is well-capitalised for R&D, strategic M&A, and scaling operations.
• Profitability Trajectory: The company remains unprofitable (Q1 net loss of $32.3 million; adjusted EBITDA -$35.8 million), but this is both typical and justifiable at this stage of sector development. The focus remains on commercialization and ecosystem dominance rather than immediate margins.
• Valuation: While the P/S ratio stands at 218.9, reflecting a “blue-sky” premium, such multiples are arguably warranted at inflection points in paradigm technologies. Traditional ratios like P/E are currently non-applicable but must be contextualised by the company’s potential to capture outsized economic returns upon the normalisation of quantum computing.
• Structural Advantages:
• Deep IP Moat: Over 950 core patents secure IonQ’s technology lead across quantum hardware, algorithms, and network architectures.
• Market Leadership: It remains a global pioneer in ion-trap quantum architectures, a platform increasingly favoured by industry and academia.
• Brand and Ecosystem: Strategic alliances with Toyota Tsusho (Japan), high-profile government contracts, and deep presence in top innovation markets such as Europe, South Korea, and the Middle East position IonQ as the default partner for quantum-integrated solutions.

Collectively, these strengths validate a premium valuation and reinforce confidence in IonQ’s ability to monetise innovation into sustainable growth.

Volume and Liquidity

Trading volume has been exceptionally robust—21.65 million shares on a three-month average—which signals sustained institutional and retail conviction. High liquidity not only reduces entry and exit friction for NZ investors but also attests to IonQ’s dynamic profile as a market leader attracting global capital flows.

Moreover, the publicly available float remains accretive to price discovery, enabling responsive re-pricing in anticipation of new developments or positive news flow. This liquidity positions IonQ favourably compared to many small-cap or early-stage tech peers, ensuring that large positions can be established or unwound efficiently.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Strategic M&A: Pending acquisition of Lightsynq Technologies and completed takeovers of ID Quantique and a stake in Capella will accelerate the technology roadmap, expand product offerings, and deepen IonQ’s competitive moat.
• Government and Enterprise Contracts: Recent wins include a selection by DARPA for quantum benchmarking and a $21.1M contract with the US Air Force Research Lab—both lending credibility and ensuring high-visibility, non-dilutive revenue streams.
• Technological Milestones: A recent partnership with Ansys resulted in a quantum demonstration 12% faster than leading classical alternatives—a tangible commercial edge. IonQ’s active participation in NVIDIA’s inaugural Quantum Day further showcases its stature within the industry’s innovation vanguard.
• Geographical Footprint: Launch of Forte Enterprise systems in Switzerland and expansion in Asia-Pacific (via Toyota Tsusho and Korean partnerships) solidify the case for global market leadership.
• Sectoral Tailwinds: Policymaker and large customer enthusiasm for quantum solutions, combined with new ESG initiatives around sustainable computation, create further demand-side pull.

Any positive news—be it another major contract, technical breakthrough, or regulatory endorsement—could serve as a potent trigger for renewed upward momentum.

Investment Strategies

• Short-term: For those seeking tactical exposure, the current consolidation above $39.00 offers a compelling technical entry point, with a potential breakout above $44.50 providing short-term upside. Recent pullbacks in an otherwise strong uptrend often represent attractive risk-adjusted entry opportunities.
• Medium-term: Anticipated catalysts—such as deal finalisations, commercial deployments in Europe and Asia, or Q2 earnings—suggest an ideal window for investors looking to capture fundamental re-rating over several quarters. Building positions ahead of headline-generating milestones has historically rewarded forward-looking participants in disruptive tech.
• Long-term: For those with patience and conviction in the future of quantum computing, IonQ’s blend of strong innovation, valuable intellectual property, and effective partnerships marks it as a core holding candidate in next-generation technology portfolios. The case for dollar-cost averaging is further supported by stock volatility, allowing judicious accumulation over time.
• NZ-based investors may also consider diversification benefits, as exposure to IonQ provides access to a sector with weak correlation to traditional equity and resource markets in Australasia.

Is It the Right Time to Buy IonQ?

• Exceptional revenue and contract growth underpinned by sector leadership.
• Clear pathway to scaling, with major partnerships and robust cash reserves reducing execution risk.
• Active deal pipeline, government endorsements, and tech milestones forecast near-term positive developments.
• Strong technical structure and deep liquidity enhance the stock’s appeal for both institutional and private investors.
• Despite volatility and high valuation, the unique combination of structural strengths and sector tailwinds may justify renewed engagement.

In summary, IonQ currently embodies the rare combination of disruptive potential, well-capitalised scaling, and tangible commercial momentum. With multiple catalysts on the horizon, robust technical signals, and sustained market confidence, the stock may be entering a new bullish phase—making this an opportune moment for investors to seriously consider exposure to leading-edge quantum technology.

As the quantum revolution accelerates, IonQ seems to represent an excellent opportunity for those seeking growth at the frontier of innovation—a stock that may well define the next chapter in high-performance computing portfolios.

How to buy IonQ stock in New Zealand?

Buying IonQ shares online is easy and secure when you use a regulated brokerage platform. Kiwi investors can access US stocks like IonQ with just a few clicks, benefiting from strong local oversight and investor protections. You have two main options: a spot (cash) purchase, which involves owning the real shares, or trading via CFDs (Contracts for Difference), an alternative way to speculate on the share price. Each method has its own pros and cons, which we detail below—followed by a comprehensive broker comparison further down this page.

Spot buying (cash purchase)

A cash purchase means you buy actual IonQ shares, held in your name on your broker’s custodial account. This is the simplest way to become a long-term shareholder and participate in any future potential gains. For NZ investors, most online brokers charge a fixed commission per trade, typically NZD 5–15 per order.

Example

Let’s say IonQ shares trade at $43.20 USD. With a NZ$1,000 stake (after currency conversion, approx. US$610 in May 2025), you could buy about 14 shares (14 × $43.20 = $604.80), factoring in a typical NZ$8 brokerage fee.

✔️ Gain scenario

If IonQ’s price rises 10%, those shares are now worth US$665 (14 × $47.52).

Result: That’s a gross gain of roughly NZ$100 (before conversion and local taxes), or +10% on your investment.

Trading via CFD (Contracts for Difference)

Trading IonQ using CFDs means you speculate on the share price without owning the underlying stock. CFDs let you go ‘long’ (betting the price will rise) or ‘short’ (betting it will fall), and provide leverage, which can multiply both gains and losses. Brokers typically charge a spread (the difference between buy/sell prices) and, if you hold positions overnight, a financing fee.

Example

With NZ$1,000, you open a CFD position on IonQ with 5x leverage—giving you $5,000 of exposure.

✔️ Gain scenario

If IonQ’s share price goes up by 8%, your position returns 8% × 5 = 40%.

Result: That’s a gross gain of NZ$400, on a NZ$1,000 investment (before fees and currency fluctuations).

Final advice

Before you start, it’s important to compare brokerage fees, available features, and platform conditions, as these can have a significant impact on your returns—especially for frequently traded US stocks like IonQ. Whether you choose classic share ownership or speculate via CFDs depends on your investment objectives and risk tolerance. To help you make an informed choice, a detailed broker comparator is available further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying IonQ stock

The latest news about IonQ

IonQ's share price has surged over 18% in the past six months, and climbed 430% year-on-year. This extraordinary long-term price performance, driven mainly by strong revenue growth and major strategic contracts, places IonQ among the most dynamic names in the emerging quantum computing sector. The stock's average analyst consensus price target sits at USD $40, offering potential that continues to attract global institutional investors—including those in New Zealand seeking exposure to cutting-edge US technology growth.

IonQ reported first-quarter 2025 revenues of USD $7.6 million, exceeding mid-point guidance and reflecting a 95% annualized growth for 2024. The company's robust top-line results are particularly important for NZ-based investors seeking exposure to high-growth, early-stage technology plays, especially as IonQ’s trajectory signals entry into commercial quantum computing service markets relevant to the Asia-Pacific region. While still operating at a net loss, IonQ’s rapid revenue acceleration is underpinned by significant progress in customer acquisition, including contracts beneficial for clients in sectors such as logistics and research.

Recent strategic partnerships, including a $22 million agreement with EPB for the first commercial quantum hub, highlight IonQ's expanding global footprint. These initiatives, complemented by collaborations with Einride (Sweden) and KISTI (South Korea), signal a dedicated push into international markets—opening potential access and technology transfer that may eventually extend to Australasia. For New Zealand’s tech sector and universities, such international hubs may enhance opportunities for research engagement, workforce skill uplift, and eventual local or regional deployments.

IonQ has finalized or announced major acquisitions—including Lightsynq Technologies and majority ownership of ID Quantique—to accelerate its roadmap and technology capabilities. Such rapid consolidation in the quantum technology landscape positions IonQ as a first-mover, deepening its patent moat (over 950 patents controlled) and strengthening its ability to deliver scalable quantum solutions. These factors may be strategically relevant for NZ-based investors interested in early-stage tech, as ecosystem building and IP leadership are prerequisites for long-term value creation within deep tech sectors.

Consensus among analysts over the last week remains very positive, with 10 Buy and just 1 Hold recommendations, despite volatility signals. Market experts cite IonQ’s powerful innovation cycle, repeat government contract success (including a prominent Air Force Research Lab deal), and expanding enterprise partnerships as key reasons for continued optimism. For New Zealand investors, these fundamentals—paired with clear leadership stability following the appointment of Niccolo de Masi as CEO—point to an innovation-driven business model attractive for those with a long horizon and higher risk tolerance, seeking diversification into the high-growth quantum computing space.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.