This week, which stocks lagged or dragged? Weekly Winners column keeps up with market trends, helping Tigers sort out the week's hottest sectors, stock winners and important news.

Below are the top 10 S&P 500 stock gainers for the week ended Sep. 26:

Apple, TSMC weigh potential investment in Intel

Intel is in early talks with Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing on potential investment and cooperation, according to sources familiar with the matter. The discussions follow Intel’s recent funding wins, including $2 billion from SoftBank, $8.9 billion in US government subsidies, and $5 billion from NVIDIA. If Apple and TSMC join as investors, the move could provide a crucial boost to Intel’s revival plan. Apple is seen as a potential customer for Intel’s advanced packaging technology, while TSMC may strengthen production at Intel’s US plants through a possible joint venture. Talks remain preliminary, and it is unclear whether an agreement will be reached.

Electronic Arts Stock Rises on Report Company near $50 Billion Deal to Go Private

Shares of Electronic Arts rose on Friday following a report in the Wall Street Journal that the video game company is nearing a roughly $50 billion deal to go private.

Investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Silver Lake could announce the deal as soon as next week, the report said. PIF has been pouring billions of dollars into gaming, purchasing the makers of Pokemon Go and the parent company behind Monopoly Go, for example.

Xcel Energy Will Pay $640M to Settle Claims from Denver-Area Wildfire That Burned 1,000 Structures

Xcel Energy expects to pay about $640 million to settle lawsuits alleging it was responsible for starting Colorado’s most destructive wildfire that killed two people and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in 2021, the company said Wednesday.

The announcement came as jury selection was set to begin Thursday in a two-month trial combining lawsuits brought by hundreds of homeowners, insurers and others over the fire in the heavily populated suburbs between Denver and Boulder. Court documents confirmed a settlement has been reached and the trial canceled.

Minneapolis-based Xcel has maintained that its equipment did not cause or contribute to the fire. It said it does not admit any fault under the settlement.