Zacks Research Highlights 4 AI and Quantum Stocks for 2026
Zacks Research
As of 2026, NVIDIA (NVDA) leads the artificial intelligence (AI) space, but investors are looking at new platforms that promise the next major “asymmetric upside.” The following report highlights four AI software, infrastructure, and quantum computing companies that could become fundamental platform ecosystems by 2026.
Changing Hardware to Software and Infrastructure
As of early 2026, NVIDIA is predicted to generate $213 billion in fiscal revenue, sustaining its dominance, due to its deep software ecosystem and data center expansions. However, investment discussions now center on whether speculative quantum architectures or emerging software businesses should receive more funding.
SoundHound AI
Conversational intelligence AI software layer SoundHound AI is expanding fast. Business revenues rose 68% in Q3 2025.
Scaling the company's Amelia agentic AI platform is a focus. SoundHound expects 56.9% profitability growth and 38.3% sales growth in 2026 despite continuing to lose money on monetization efforts and retaining its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). This is analysts' major enterprise AI software value chain view.
Marvell Tech
If SoundHound is the software layer, Marvell represents the critical semiconductor infrastructure. Marvell focuses on hyperscaler data center-required custom AI silicon and high-bandwidth networking.
Marvell reported $2.006 billion in second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue, up 58% from the year before. Data centers contribute over 74% of its revenue, demonstrating a successful focus on AI infrastructure. EPS is expected to climb 23.3% and sales 22.8% in 2027.
Speculative 2026 and Beyond Platforms
In addition to AI, quantum computing could transform encryption, materials research, and advanced optimization. Unlike AI companies, quantum companies are evaluated more on qubit performance and technical milestones than short-term margin trajectories.
IONQ Quantum Growth
Sales rose 222% to $39.9 million in Q3 2025, indicating the company's rapid commercial growth. It outperformed its guidance by 37%.
A $3.5 billion cash balance after raising $2 billion in equity is likely IonQ's most important factor for long-term sustainability. This gives it a large “runway” for R&D and platform expansion. Because it prioritizes technology development over its competitors, it keeps losing money.
D-Wave Quantum
D-Wave is growing revenue despite having a smaller base than IonQ. Sales increased 100% to $3.7 million in Q3 2025.
Scientists and businesses employ D-Wave's quantum annealing and hybrid quantum-classical solutions. The company's record cash balance was $836 million at the conclusion of its most recent quarter, allowing it to develop new goods despite mounting net losses.
Appraisal Structure Comparison
A structural distinction between these stock categories:
AI Players: SoundHound and Marvell profit from AI. Their corporate installations generate millions to billions quarterly. Investors evaluate margin improvement, backlog visibility, and revenue longevity.
Quantum players: IonQ and D-Wave are R&D-focused and have low revenue. Their pricing is based on long-term TAM and commercialization inflection point forecasts.
If they become the foundation of future workloads, these technologies may enter platform ecosystems like NVIDIA, where developer acceptance and infrastructure centrality drive exponential wealth generation.