Free cash flow
IonQ Free cash flow decreased by 91.4% to -$159.39M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 351.1%, from -$35.33M to -$159.39M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a 71.9% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | -$7.25M | -$14.33M | -$7.17M | -$11.00M | -$12.96M | -$14.22M | -$15.87M | -$15.00M | -$17.31M | -$26.41M | -$33.79M | -$23.61M | -$34.07M | -$22.98M | -$43.02M | -$35.33M | -$53.77M | -$127.21M | -$83.30M | -$159.39M |
| QoQ Change | — | -97.8% | +49.9% | -53.3% | -17.8% | -9.7% | -11.6% | +5.5% | -15.4% | -52.6% | -27.9% | +30.1% | -44.3% | +32.5% | -87.2% | +17.9% | -52.2% | -136.6% | +34.5% | -91.4% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -78.8% | +0.8% | -121.2% | -36.4% | -33.6% | -85.8% | -112.9% | -57.4% | -96.8% | +13.0% | -27.3% | -49.7% | -57.8% | -453.5% | -93.6% | -351.1% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is IonQ's free cash flow?
- IonQ (IONQ) reported free cash flow of -$159.39M in Q1 2026.
- How has IonQ's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- IonQ's free cash flow decreased by 351.1% year-over-year, from -$35.33M to -$159.39M.
- What is the long-term trend for IonQ's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), IonQ's free cash flow has grown at a 71.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from -$34.32M to -$299.60M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.