The 5 Top-Performing Stocks in the S&P 500 in August 2025: Albemarle, UnitedHealth Group, Intel, Humana, and Idexx Laboratories.

The top 5 stocks in the S&P 500 in August 2025 were Albemarle, UnitedHealth Group, Intel, Humana, and Idexx Laboratories, with returns between 21% and 25%. Albemarle jumped due to concerns over lithium supply, UnitedHealth Group due to Warren Buffett's investment, Intel due to large investments from SoftBank and the US government, and Humana due to analysts upgrading their outlooks. These stocks rose for different reasons and highlight the importance of business results in driving long-term stock performance.

U.S. equity markets posted modest yet steady gains in August 2025, driven by investor optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts and resilient corporate earnings. The S&P 500 recorded monthly gains of 2.2%, extending its winning streak to the fourth month [1]. The Financial Services sector, in particular, witnessed solid investor optimism, with the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index and S&P Banks Select Industry Index up 5.5% and 8.3%, respectively. This article examines the top-performing financial services stocks in August 2025, highlighting their recent performance and key drivers.

Assurant, Inc. (AIZ)
Assurant's focus on growing fee-based capital-light businesses, which account for 52% of segmental revenues, bodes well for growth. Management estimates that this segment will continue to grow at a double-digit rate over the long term [1]. The company's Connected Living segment is poised for solid growth, particularly within the mobile protection business, thanks to innovative offerings and improved relationships with mobile carriers and cable operators. Assurant expects its Global Housing adjusted EBITDA to deliver strong growth in 2025 [1]. The insurer remains focused on ramping up the Connected Living platform, deploying innovative products and services, and adding new partnerships. Currently, AIZ sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) [1].

Synchrony Financial (SYF)
Synchrony Financial stands out by leveraging its strong distribution channel to offer a broad range of products, including private-label credit cards and dual cards for use on MasterCard and Visa networks. The company's revenues witnessed a five-year CAGR of 2.6% (ended 2024), but the trend reversed in the first six months of 2025 on a year-over-year basis. SYF anticipates net revenues to be in the range of $15-$15.3 billion for 2025 [1]. Despite financial strength, Synchrony Financial's business model exposes it to credit risk, which adversely impacts its credit quality due to a higher allowance for loan loss. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [1].

American Express Company (AXP)
American Express leverages its unique position as a credit card issuer and a network operator, capturing a larger share of transaction economics. Strong credit performance and operational efficiency remain core drivers of AmEx's profitability. The company's revenues, net of interest expenses, witnessed a three-year CAGR of 15.9% (ended 2024), and AXP anticipates revenues to increase 8-10% for 2025 from $65.9 billion in 2024 [1]. Despite showing resilience, AmEx's business model exposes it to credit risk, especially in an economy grappling with inflationary pressures and higher-than-normal interest rates. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [1].

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB)
Fifth Third Bancorp is expanding its non-interest income base through strategic partnerships and acquisitions in various industries, such as healthcare. The bank remains focused on branch optimization to strengthen its footprint in high-growth regions, with plans to open 50–60 new locations annually across key Southeast markets from 2025 through 2028 [1]. These efforts will result in incremental deposit growth, expand commercial, treasury, wealth, and private banking businesses in new markets, and diversify its revenue base. Fifth Third has a strong balance sheet and investment-grade long-term credit ratings, which will continue to support its growth. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [1].

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG)
Citizens Financial is executing a long-term growth strategy centered on wealth management, high-net-worth capabilities, and targeted market expansion. The company launched Citizens Private Bank in October 2023, raising $7 billion in deposits through 2024 and reaching profitability by the fourth quarter of that year [1]. Beyond wealth management, CFG is expanding its New York Metro franchise and deepening its middle-market presence in Florida and California. The company continues to invest in its payments platform and reinforce its commercial coverage in the middle market. Citizens Financial's focus on executing a series of revenue and efficiency initiatives led to the introduction of the "Tapping Our Potential" (TOP) program more than a decade ago, which has helped achieve more than $1.25 billion in pre-tax run-rate benefits through 2024 [1]. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [1].

These top-performing financial services stocks in August 2025 highlight the importance of business results, strategic initiatives, and market positioning in driving long-term stock performance. Investors should closely monitor these companies' progress and consider their growth prospects in the context of macroeconomic conditions.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/augusts-top-p-500-performers-130700570.html