Toward the end of 2024, shares of quantum computing stocks such as IonQ, D-Wave Quantum, Quantum Computing, and Rigetti Computing all experienced significant run-ups. Curiously, each of these companies was a penny stock at the beginning of 2024 -- only to see its valuation soar well into the billions during a rather short time period.

Quantum computing stocks popped on Tuesday as the Nasdaq composite also climbed as investors mulled President Donald Trump's first moves.

Last year, investors poured into artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, and the biggest players -- from Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) to Amazon -- helped the general market soar. Quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems that classical computers can't handle.

Quantum computing is stirring up excitement in the investment community because, like AI, it could offer companies a huge boost when it comes to innovation and efficiency. All of this is positive for the earnings growth and stock performance of quantum computing companies and their customers.

Valued at a market capitalization of just $116,000, Zapata Computing (ZPTA) may appear tempting to investors. Its business touched quantum computing software solutions, such as through its Orquestra product.

This is precisely what happened with quantum computing stocks in late 2024. Stocks like Rigetti (NASDAQ: RGTI), Quantum Computing (NASDAQ: QUBT), and IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) have shot up hundreds of percentage points in the last six months,

International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) has redefined itself as a cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) company. A part of IBM that may have received less coverage is its role in quantum computing.

Following tech giants such as Amazon (AMZN) and Nvidia (NVDA), enterprise software major SAP (SAP) has also joined the voices making a case for quantum computing. Sounding bullish about the technology,