UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares staged their sharpest rally in a decade after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a major investment in the battered health care giant.
A regulatory filing revealed Berkshire had purchased just over five million shares in the second quarter, a stake worth roughly $1.6 billion.
The announcement sent UnitedHealth stock up more than 11% to about $300 in early trading, contributing nearly 170 points to the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s rise. The surge follows an already strong week for the stock, which had climbed in five of the prior six sessions on speculation that Buffett was buying in.
Berkshire’s move marks a notable vote of confidence in a company whose share price has been cut nearly in half over the past year. The health insurer has been under pressure from rising medical costs, intensifying regulatory scrutiny, and leadership turmoil.
A Company Under Siege
UnitedHealth, the nation’s largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, has faced a string of challenges in recent months. Federal authorities are investigating the company’s Medicare billing practices, probing whether it improperly boosted payments by inflating patient diagnoses. The Department of Justice has opened both civil and criminal inquiries, adding to investor unease.
Operationally, higher care usage, rate cuts, and political pressure on pharmacy benefit managers have hit earnings. The company’s Optum Rx unit—once a growth engine—now faces calls to “remove the middlemen” from the drug supply chain. Leadership turnover has compounded the instability: former CEO Andrew Witty resigned earlier this year, and the company withdrew its financial forecast after warning that new Medicare Advantage members were driving higher-than-expected medical costs.
UnitedHealth, the nation’s largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, has faced a string of challenges in recent months. Federal authorities are investigating the company’s Medicare billing practices, probing whether it improperly boosted payments by inflating patient diagnoses. The Department of Justice has opened both civil and criminal inquiries, adding to investor unease.
Operationally, higher care usage, rate cuts, and political pressure on pharmacy benefit managers have hit earnings. The company’s Optum Rx unit—once a growth engine—now faces calls to “remove the middlemen” from the drug supply chain. Leadership turnover has compounded the instability: former CEO Andrew Witty resigned earlier this year, and the company withdrew its financial forecast after warning that new Medicare Advantage members were driving higher-than-expected medical costs.
Buffett Bounce Meets Long-Term Questions
While Friday’s rally was fueled by Buffett’s entry, the investment does not erase UnitedHealth’s underlying problems. Even after the bounce, the stock is still down more than 45% in 2025 and remains far below pre-selloff levels. The company has pledged to return to earnings growth by 2026, but has offered little detail on how it will get there.
For Berkshire, the purchase is in keeping with Buffett’s strategy of buying high-quality companies trading at depressed valuations. UnitedHealth’s shares currently fetch around 15 times forward earnings—a discount compared to its historical average. Whether that discount reflects a buying opportunity or a warning sign will depend on the company’s ability to navigate its legal and operational hurdles.
Conclusion
UnitedHealth’s sudden spike shows the market’s faith in Buffett’s instincts, but the company’s challenges remain formidable. Federal investigations, rising medical costs, and political headwinds will test whether this high-profile endorsement can turn into a long-term recovery—or whether the “Buffett Bounce” proves to be just that, a bounce.
While Friday’s rally was fueled by Buffett’s entry, the investment does not erase UnitedHealth’s underlying problems. Even after the bounce, the stock is still down more than 45% in 2025 and remains far below pre-selloff levels. The company has pledged to return to earnings growth by 2026, but has offered little detail on how it will get there.
For Berkshire, the purchase is in keeping with Buffett’s strategy of buying high-quality companies trading at depressed valuations. UnitedHealth’s shares currently fetch around 15 times forward earnings—a discount compared to its historical average. Whether that discount reflects a buying opportunity or a warning sign will depend on the company’s ability to navigate its legal and operational hurdles.
Conclusion
UnitedHealth’s sudden spike shows the market’s faith in Buffett’s instincts, but the company’s challenges remain formidable. Federal investigations, rising medical costs, and political headwinds will test whether this high-profile endorsement can turn into a long-term recovery—or whether the “Buffett Bounce” proves to be just that, a bounce.
Considering a $1,000 investment in these companies?
Our team at Stock Investor carefully curated a list of top stocks with the potential for significant returns, suitable for beginners and seasoned investors alike who are eager to learn a trade and unearth the best stocks to buy. Though not featured in this article, these selected stocks could be game-changers in the future.For those seeking dynamic trading experiences, consider joining our Swing Trade Alerts, Option Income Alert, or our Trading Room. Take advantage of our special offer today, starting at just $1 in the first month.
Unlock the secrets of Smart Money
Explore how billionaires and institutions are influencing the market. Follow their every move with DarkOption Flow and stay updated on essential market insights. Begin your journey to informed investing today!
Education
And if you're a fan of Invest opedia, you'll appreciate what we offer at SharperTrades even more. Explore our comprehensive option trading course and technical trading course, where you can learn trading, analyze stocks, delve into chart patterns for stocks, and gain invaluable insights for making the best company investments.
Unlock Your Stock Market Edge with SharperTrades. Dive into powerful trading tools, learn a trade, and receive expert guidance. Stay up-to-date with regular market updates. Learn trading, basics of investing, and how to pick the best stocks to buy. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned investor and trader, we've got you covered. Get started for free, today!