3 Stocks to Invest in for Long-Term Growth Despite Market Challenges

IonQ is a quantum computing leader poised to profit from the growth of the market, with revenue expected to grow at a 94% CAGR from 2024 to 2027. AppLovin's AI-powered ad tech platform is expected to lock in more advertisers, while Super Micro Computer's sales of dedicated AI servers will surge as the AI market expands. These stocks could be driven higher by secular tailwinds, even if the broader market crumbles.

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has seen its stock price soar in 2025, reaching an all-time high of around $75 per share in early October Quantum Boom: IonQ Stock Skyrockets to Record High on Breakthroughs & Bold Ambitions^[1]. This surge has vaulted IonQ’s market capitalization to approximately $20–22 billion, reflecting intense investor enthusiasm for quantum computing despite the company’s still-nascent revenues . The company reported $20.7 million in revenue for Q2 2025, an 82% year-over-year increase, and raised its full-year 2025 revenue forecast to $82–$100 million . However, heavy R&D spending and one-time charges led to a net loss of $177.5 million in Q2 .

IonQ has been expanding its capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships. It acquired UK-based Oxford Ionics for $1.08 billion to integrate “ion-trap-on-a-chip” technology, aiming for 800 logical qubits by 2027 and 80,000 by 2030 . The company also bought startups Lightsynq and Capella to advance photonic interconnects and quantum networking . Amazon invested $36.7 million in IonQ, underscoring rising big-tech interest . Additionally, IonQ struck MOUs with research institutes to collaborate on quantum R&D .

In 2025, IonQ achieved significant technical breakthroughs. It achieved a 20× speed-up in a drug discovery simulation by pairing its quantum processors with NVIDIA GPUs on the cloud . It also converted trapped-ion qubit emissions to telecom-band photons for the first time, enabling its quantum computers to communicate over standard fiber cables . These advances suggest real potential for quantum computing in various sectors.

Recent news has further fueled IonQ’s rally. The company revealed a strategic investment in Einride, a Swedish autonomous trucking startup, to apply quantum optimizations to freight logistics . This news sent IonQ’s stock jumping ~10% in one day . Analysts responded with bullish commentary, with Needham hiking its price target to $80 after IonQ’s recent Analyst Day . IonQ leads a quantum stock frenzy, with its valuation doubling that of rival companies like Rigetti and D-Wave .

Despite the euphoria, the broader quantum computing sector is booming on speculation. Consulting firm McKinsey projects the market could grow from ~$1 billion in 2025 to $72 billion by 2035 . However, experts caution that current valuations far outpace fundamentals and volatility is extreme .

IonQ has been one of 2025’s standout stocks, with its share price climbing about 70% year-to-date and an astonishing 700%+ vs. a year ago . The company’s aggressive expansion comes at a steep cost, with Q2 2025 operating expenses swelling to $181 million, resulting in a net loss of $177.5 million . However, IonQ has fortified its balance sheet, raising over $1 billion in fresh equity capital in mid-2025 .

IonQ’s recent stock rally has been fueled by both company-specific developments and broader sector momentum. The company’s move into autonomous vehicles and its breakthrough in quantum networking have excited investors . The broader sector has also seen positive developments, with competitors like D-Wave and Rigetti making headlines with real-world use cases and hardware sales .