The Nasdaq-100 traded almost exactly sideways in August 2025, posting a 0.9% gain. But it wasn't a slow period for everybody. Three Nasdaq-100 titans saw August gains of 20% or more, for very different reasons.
1. Intel: Up 23%
Semiconductor giant Intel (INTC 3.34%) led the charge with a 23% gain in August. Coming off a painful drop in July and several years of generally bearish stock market trends, Intel finally caught a break. The Trump administration struck a deal to acquire 9.9% of Intel's stock, creating a unique financing relationship between the U.S. government and a public company.
The deal didn't unlock a huge single-day price gain, but more of a slow rise as deal details started hitting the rumor mill. It also didn't cure every problem Intel faces, and the stock still trades 10% below its 2025 highs.
As a longtime shareholder, I'm still wondering whether this financing agreement is a good thing for Intel or a dilutive event for stock owners -- and it could be both.
2. AppLovin: Up 22.5%
Mobile marketing expert AppLovin (APP 3.51%) comes next, with a 22.5% August return. The company published second-quarter results on Aug. 6, crushing Wall Street's bottom-line projections and sending stock prices 12% higher the next day. AppLovin has been building on these gains, setting fresh all-time highs on a nearly daily basis recently.
Image source: Getty Images.
AppLovin's Q2 revenues jumped 77% year over year, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) doubled. Many companies come up with adjusted profit metrics to shine a more bullish light on their financial results. But AppLovin moved in the opposite direction, as unadjusted net profits increased by a stunning 164%.
3. Idexx Laboratories: Up 21.1%
Finally, Idexx Laboratories (IDXX -0.13%) enjoyed a 21.1% return in August. The pet healthcare specialist also posted Q2 results early in the month, impressing investors with a clean beat-and-raise performance.
Idexx saw particularly strong growth in consumable pet-care products and recurring service revenues. A recently launched cancer test for dogs posted strong sales in North America, while management worked to expand its reach internationally.
The company can't quite keep up with AppLovin's explosive growth, but it's still a healthy growth investment. Expect to continue paying a growth-based premium for this stock.
