IonQ (IONQ) shares fell after announcing a $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology (SKYT) to become the first vertically integrated quantum computing platform. IonQ will use $770 million in cash and the rest in IONQ stock. This move may help IonQ accelerate its roadmap to achieve 200,000-qubit processors by 2028.

SkyWater’s U.S. chip production facilities could help IonQ achieve over 8,000 logical qubits and reduce development timelines. The acquisition aligns with federal initiatives to strengthen supply chain resilience and technological sovereignty. IonQ’s upcoming earnings may drive its stock higher, with options traders pricing in a potential 30% upside to $56 over the next three months.

Wall Street analysts agree, with a “Moderate Buy” rating and a mean target of $75 suggesting an 80% potential upside from current levels. IonQ’s stock may benefit from the upcoming earnings, as consensus estimates expect a lower loss per share compared to the same quarter last year. The stock’s 14-day RSI signal suggests bearish momentum is near exhaustion.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: As IonQ Snaps Up SkyWater Technology for $1.8B, Should You Buy the Quantum Computing Stock Here?