IBM's Quantum Computing Advancements Set to Make it the Biggest Winner of 2026

International Business Machines (IBM) is poised to be the biggest quantum computing winner of 2026, despite its struggles in the 2010s. The company has pivoted into cloud and AI, but has also made significant advancements in quantum computing, including the release of IBM Quantum Nighthawk, a 120-qubit computer that can solve problems better than classical-only methods. IBM's stability and return to financial growth are also notable, with a 6% increase in revenue in the first nine months of 2025 and a 61% increase in net income. Unlike many start-up competitors, IBM earns a profit.