Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $5.69 Million Position in IonQ, Inc. $IONQ

Principal Financial Group Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 92,561 shares of the company’s stock after selling 18,961 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in IonQ were worth $5,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. raised its holdings in shares of IonQ by 28.4% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,008 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank increased its position in IonQ by 112.5% during the third quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 425 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in IonQ by 4.3% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 5,679 shares of the company’s stock valued at $349,000 after buying an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Lauer Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of IonQ by 5.5% in the third quarter. Lauer Wealth LLC now owns 4,852 shares of the company’s stock worth $298,000 after buying an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of IonQ by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,480 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after acquiring an additional 261 shares in the last quarter. 41.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about IonQ

Here are the key news stories impacting IonQ this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and outlets are flagging IonQ’s strategic expansion—coverage highlights a quantum M&A push and a reported ~$3.5B cash position, framing the company as pursuing growth even after recent underperformance; that narrative can support a recovery if execution continues. IonQ’s Quantum M&A Push and $3.5B Cash: Buy, Sell or Hold in 2026?
• Positive Sentiment: Broader fintech/media coverage that recommends buying quantum-computing names can lift investor interest in IonQ as a pure‑play/leader in the sector; such “buy” stories tend to increase flows into high‑beta quantum stocks. Want to Invest in Quantum Computing? 3 Stocks That Are Great Buys Right Now.
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical and institutional dynamics are colliding: coverage notes a bearish “death cross” (negative technical signal) but also reports that a large Norwegian institutional investor publicly countered short‑seller claims — a mix that can create short‑term volatility rather than a clear directional catalyst. IonQ Triggers Death Cross As Norway’s $2.2 Trillion Fund Counters Short Seller Claims
• Neutral Sentiment: Informational pieces note increased retail and analyst attention (IonQ is a “trending” stock); that raises liquidity and news sensitivity but doesn’t by itself change fundamentals. IonQ, Inc. (IONQ) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It
• Negative Sentiment: Sector commentary warns of overlooked risks in quantum‑computing names (valuation, uncertain timing of practical applications), which can pressure high‑beta pure plays like IonQ if sentiment shifts. The Quantum Computing Stock Risk Everyone (Even Wall Street Analysts) Is Missing
• Negative Sentiment: An investor‑alert/legal probe from Scott+Scott alleging potential breaches by IonQ’s directors and officers introduces regulatory and litigation risk that can be a near‑term overhang on the stock until resolved. IONQ, INC. INVESTOR ALERT: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates IonQ, Inc.’s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties – IONQ

IonQ Trading Up 9.2%

IONQ opened at $34.18 on Friday. IonQ, Inc. has a 1-year low of $17.88 and a 1-year high of $84.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.39 and a beta of 2.63. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.75 and a 200-day moving average of $50.82.

Insider Buying and Selling at IonQ

In other IonQ news, CRO Rima Alameddine sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.89, for a total value of $4,689,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive directly owned 432,616 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,285,364.24. This represents a 18.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Kathryn K. Chou sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.40, for a total transaction of $1,028,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 60,839 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,127,124.60. The trade was a 24.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 125,000 shares of company stock valued at $5,992,000. Corporate insiders own 5.20% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research raised IonQ from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on IonQ in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set a “buy” rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of IonQ in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $47.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of IonQ in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of IonQ in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $75.91.

IonQ Profile

IonQ, Inc engages in the development of general-purpose quantum computing systems in the United States. It sells access to quantum computers of various qubit capacities. The company makes access to its quantum computers through cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) Amazon Braket, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum, and Google’s Cloud Marketplace, as well as through its cloud service. It also provides contracts associated with the design, development, and construction of specialized quantum computing hardware systems; maintenance and support services; and consulting services related to co-developing algorithms on quantum computing systems.