RGTI, IONQ: 2 ‘Strong Buy’ Russell 2000 Stocks Analysts Say You Shouldn’t Miss

Small-cap stocks often fly under the radar, but some hold massive upside potential, especially when backed by bullish analyst sentiment. In this context, two standout names from the Russell 2000, Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and IonQ (IONQ) have both earned Strong Buy ratings from Wall Street. Both stocks are part of the quantum computing space and present high-risk, high-reward opportunities for investors.

Let’s dive into the details.

Is RGTI Stock a Good Buy?

Rigetti is an early-stage quantum computing company that’s gaining attention for its innovative technology and government partnerships. The company’s superconducting systems perform ultra-fast operations in just 60–80 nanoseconds, perfect for tasks like AI and financial modeling. With full control over its tech stack, from chip design to cloud access, the company is well-positioned for scalable growth.

However, Rigetti’s financial story is challenging. In Q1, revenue plunged 52% to $1.47 million, and operating loss came in at $21.6 million. Despite being unprofitable, analysts remain optimistic about its long-term potential in the emerging quantum sector.

Rigetti Computing Stock Forecast

Last month, Craig-Hallum’s five-star-rated analyst Richard Shannon maintained his Buy rating on RGTI stock. Interestingly, all five analysts who rated the stock gave it a Buy, according to TipRanks. Taken together, Rigetti’s stock forecast of $15.0 implies an upside of about 32%. Meanwhile, RGTI stock has declined by over 25% year-to-date.

See more RGTI analyst ratings

Is IonQ a Good Stock to Buy?

IonQ, a pure-play quantum computing company using trapped-ion technology, offers its systems through major cloud platforms. It has emerged as a standout in the sector, with its stock soaring over 450% in the past year.

The company is ahead of competitors in getting its quantum systems to market, having already sold hardware to Amazon’s (AMZN) AWS and Google (GOOGL) Cloud. Its systems feature all-to-all connectivity and boast an industry-leading 99.9% two-qubit gate fidelity, meaning highly accurate results. With a few units already sold and rising demand, more launches are expected soon. Notably, two-qubit gate fidelity measures how accurately a quantum computer links two qubits. IonQ’s 99.9% fidelity signals low error rates, key for building reliable, scalable systems.

What Is IonQ Forecast for 2025?

This month, top analysts from Needham, Benchmark, and Craig-Hallum reiterated their Buy ratings on IONQ stock. Overall, four out of five analysts currently covering the stock have issued Buy recommendations. Meanwhile, the average IonQ shareprice target of $43 suggests an 8.5% upside from current levels.

See more IONQ analyst ratings