PLTR vs. IONQ: Which High-Growth Stock Crushed Q3 Earnings & Deserves Your Money Now?

Tech investors just got whiplash from two polarizing earnings reports. Palantir's black-box AI mystique collides with IonQ's quantum moonshot—but only one delivered the numbers to back the hype.

The AI vs. Quantum Smackdown

PLTR bulls touted another 'beat and raise,' but whispers linger about government contract dependency. Meanwhile, IONQ's revenue spike came with the usual quantum caveats: 'This technology won't scale until 2030... probably.'

Wall Street's Schrödinger's Stock

Analysts can't decide if these are visionary plays or overpriced lottery tickets. One hedge fund manager quipped, 'Buying IONQ is like funding NASA—except you get diluted every earnings call.'

Verdict? Both stocks remain battlegrounds—perfect for traders who think volatility is a feature, not a bug.

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IonQ is a quantum computing company building advanced hardware and software for next-generation technology. Palantir, on the other hand, focuses on AI-powered software for government and business clients. For long-term investors, both offer unique ways to tap into the growing AI and quantum computing trends, each with its own strengths and potential. Let’s break it down.

IonQ (NYSE:IONQ)

IONQ stock has jumped over 150% in the past year, but it now trades about 27% below its all-time high from last month. This recent pullback could give investors a new opportunity to buy into the quantum computing pioneer.

IonQ makes its quantum computers using a trapped-ion design, where tiny charged ytterbium atoms act as qubits. This technology is scalable, accurate, energy-efficient, and cost-effective compared to other quantum methods. Investors are excited about quantum computing because it could speed up AI training and even help reach artificial general intelligence (AGI) in the future.

IonQ’s revenue has surged over the past four years, with a massive 222% year-over-year jump in the third quarter of 2025. On the flip side, the company posted a diluted loss of $3.58 per share, far wider than analysts’ expected loss of $0.44 per share. Like many early-stage quantum computing companies, it’s not profitable yet, but its strong $3.5 billion cash reserve gives it plenty of room to keep expanding.

Is IonQ a Good Stock to Buy?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts remain strongly bullish on IONQ stock. Following its Q3 earnings, Cantor Fitzgerald top analyst, Troy Jensen, raised price targets from $60 to $70 while keeping his Buy rating. Jensen noted that IonQ is still in the early stages of commercializing its technology but believes it could capture around 30% of the quantum computing market by 2035, representing an estimated $954 million in present value.

Likewise, analysts at Rosenblatt Securities and Jefferies raised their price targets on IONQ stock to $100, predicting an upside of over 65% from current levels.

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR)

Palantir’s stock has rewarded investors with a gain of over 135% year-to-date. However, shares have dropped more than 13% in the past five trading days, even after the company posted strong Q3 results. The recent decline mainly came after earnings, as high expectations and a pricey valuation left little room for disappointment. The drop deepened after investor Michael Burry revealed a bearish bet against the company. Broader tech weakness and concerns over AI stock valuations added to the pressure.

Notably, Palantir reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.21, beating estimates of $0.17. Meanwhile, revenue came in at $1.18 billion, above analysts’ expectations of $1.09 billion. Overall sales ROSE 63% year-over-year, fueled by a 121% surge in U.S. commercial revenue and a 52% increase in U.S. government revenue.

The company’s profitability, robust deal pipeline, and leadership in AI software position it well for long-term growth, making recent pullbacks a potential buying opportunity.

Is PLTR a Good Stock to Buy Now?

On Wall Street, analysts have mixed opinions on PLTR stock. Following the earnings release, Jefferies’ five-star-rated analyst Brent Thill raised his price target on PLTR from $60 to $70 but maintained a Sell rating. Thill acknowledged Palantir’s solid business momentum but cautioned that the stock remains overvalued, trading at roughly 83 times its 2026 revenue estimate.

On the other hand, Wedbush’s top analyst Daniel Ives praised Palantir’s Q3, calling it a “masterpiece quarter.” He pointed to the impressive growth in Palantir’s U.S. Commercial segment, which generated $397 million out of $883 million in total U.S. revenue. Ives added that any pullback in the stock, driven by concerns that the best is already priced in, could present a buying opportunity for investors.

IONQ or PLTR: Which Stock Offers Higher Upside, According to Analysts?

Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we have compared IONQ and PLTR to see which stock offers higher upside to investors. IONQ stock currently holds a Strong Buy rating, with an average price target of $78.78, implying a 33% upside from current levels.

On the other hand, PLTR stock carries a Hold consensus rating. Palantir’s average stock price target of $187.87 suggests a modest upside of over 5%.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IONQ and Palantir offer two distinct ways to tap into the high-growth sectors. IONQ provides exposure to the quantum computing revolution, a field with immense potential to transform industries from cybersecurity to drug discovery. On the other hand, Palantir stands at the forefront of AI-driven data analytics. While both come with risks tied to valuation and execution, their strong growth trajectories make them attractive options for investors seeking long-term innovation-driven returns.

In the short-term, analysts see higher upside in IONQ stock.