Quantum computing is no longer science fiction. It’s shaping up to be the next frontier in both national defense and commercial innovation. And now, Wall Street is finally starting to price that in.

Amazon’s (AMZN) new $36.7 million stake in IonQ (IONQ), the U.S. Air Force’s record-breaking contract, and state-level legislation in Texas are signaling a major shift in sentiment. And with earnings on deck for several major players, it’s time to understand what this means — and how you can prepare.

The Big Tech Quantum Push: From Chips to Capital

Amazon’s quantum ambitions have been no secret, but their latest moves speak volumes. After unveiling their “Ocelot” chip — a breakthrough in reducing error correction for quantum systems — Amazon just disclosed a $36.7 million stake in IonQ. 

This bold capital allocation, made in a recent 13F filing, sent shares of IonQ surging after hours. But even more important is what this tells us about institutional confidence.

Pro Tip: Check IonQ’s expected move and gamma exposure ahead of earnings tonight, Aug. 6, to gauge potential volatility and price targets based on options activity.

Government Backing = Real Momentum

The U.S. Air Force awarded IonQ a $54.5 million contract, the largest government quantum contract of 2024, to help develop scalable, deployable quantum systems. This is a clear signal that quantum computing is entering a new phase of real-world integration.

Meanwhile, Texas just passed legislation establishing itself as a hub for quantum innovation. That means state-level support, academic partnerships, and a whole new playing field for investors focused on emerging tech.

Earnings Season: Your Quantum Watchlist

All of this is happening right as key companies like IonQ, Rigetti (RGTI), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) are preparing to report earnings. These reports are crucial for evaluating commercial progress, technical milestones, and adoption timelines.

IonQ is accelerating its roadmap toward fault-tolerant quantum computing, targeting over 80,000 logical qubits by 2030. Rigetti just achieved 99.5% fidelity on a 36-qubit system and plans to launch officially on August 15. And D-Wave continues refining its hybrid quantum/classical architecture, positioning for government and enterprise contracts.

Track key indicators before earnings using Barchart’s:

• Expected Move Tool
• Gamma Exposure
• Put/Call Ratios

Action Plan for Investors

1. Save Barchart’s curated Quantum Computing Watchlist to track the industry.
2. Use RSI and Top Trade Alerts to identify entry points or hedge positions.
3. Follow institutional activity using Barchart’s options flow.

Watch the full reel to find out what’s happening in quantum:

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