These 3 Stocks Led the S&P 500 in September 2025

Core Insights - The S&P 500 index experienced its strongest September in 15 years, gaining 3.5%, with technology stocks leading the surge, some achieving over 50% gains [1] Group 1: Warner Bros. Discovery - Warner Bros. Discovery shares surged 67.8% in September due to takeover speculation, particularly a reported "majority cash bid" from Paramount Skydance [2] - The stock reached a 52-week high of $20.24 on September 25, with management planning to split into two companies by mid-2026, separating its streaming and studios from its global TV networks business [3] Group 2: AppLovin - AppLovin joined the S&P 500 index on September 22, with its stock rising 50.1% in September following the announcement of its addition on September 5 and analysts raising price targets [4] - The company provides a platform for mobile app developers to monetize their apps primarily through advertising, but faces scrutiny from the SEC regarding its data collection practices [5] Group 3: Western Digital - Western Digital shares increased by 49.4% in September, reaching a 52-week high of $137.40 on October 2, driven by rising demand for AI and cloud computing, which require extensive data storage [6] - Analysts, including those from Morgan Stanley, raised Western Digital's price target from $99 to $171 per share, highlighting the stock's low valuation amid increasing cloud spending [7]