Quantum Computing Inc (NASDAQ:QUBT) shares are trading higher by 7.31% to $17.79 during Thursday's session amid strength in quantum computing-related companies. The sector has recently seen increased interest.

The stock's upward momentum, gaining some 190% over the trailing month, may also be attributed to the company's December announcement of securing a prime contract with NASA to leverage Dirac-3 for advanced imaging and data processing support.

What To Know: The contract, awarded by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, involves using Quantum Computing's entropy quantum optimization machine, Dirac-3, to tackle advanced imaging challenges. The technology is expected to provide innovative solutions in the realm of quantum computing.

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The company says Dirac-3 will address a complex phase unwrapping issue for reconstructing images and extracting radar-generated interferometric data, aiming to enhance data quality and accuracy.

CEO William McGann meanwhile expressed pride in supporting NASA's mission. The project will compare Dirac-3's quantum optimization capabilities with classical algorithms, potentially demonstrating the tangible advantages of quantum approaches in data processing.

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How To Buy QUBT Stock

Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share – or fractional share – of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument.

For example, in Quantum Computing's case, it is in the Information Technology sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.

According to data from Benzinga Pro, QUBT has a 52-week high of $27.15 and a 52-week low of $0.35.