Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) saw its stock soar by 22.66% in Friday's pre-market trading, riding the wave of a broader rally in quantum computing stocks. This surge comes amidst a flurry of positive developments in the quantum computing sector, including strategic partnerships and growing investor interest.

The quantum computing industry has been outperforming the broader market this year, with the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) delivering returns of over 28%, surpassing both the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and the S&P 500. Quantum Computing Inc.'s dramatic rise is part of a sector-wide trend, with several other quantum-related stocks also posting significant gains on Friday.

Driving this momentum are recent developments in the industry, including the U.S. Energy Department's partnership with IonQ and Honeywell International for quantum technologies in space, and D-Wave's showcase of its capabilities in drug discovery and logistics at a user conference in Tokyo. The ongoing 2025 Quantum World Congress is also contributing to the heightened interest in quantum computing stocks.

Investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of quantum computing technologies to revolutionize various fields, particularly in enhancing the efficiency of AI development. As traditional computing faces energy constraints in meeting the demands of AI, quantum computing's ability to process vast amounts of data with less energy output is becoming increasingly attractive to both investors and tech giants alike.