UnitedHealth has been the Dow’s worst performer of 2025, but jumped 13% Friday. Here’s why Buffett and other leading hedge funds suddenly love the stock.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH 12.04%) has been a solid dividend growth stock for years. Generally, its yield has been fairly low, due to the stock's rising value. Even as the healthcare insurance giant has grown its dividend, its yield hasn't been particularly high or noteworthy.

Year to date, the stock has fallen by nearly 45%, which is by no means normal for the healthcare stock. In fact, this is the worst it has performed since the Great Recession, when it tumbled by more than 54% in 2008.

UnitedHealth Group's public reputation is still reeling, yet its battered stock has been something that more and more investors can't seem to resist. Why it matters: Recent interest in its stock, from everyday investors to Wall Street's titans,

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US stocks were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes amid economic data this week that showed higher-than-expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. Traders also awaited Friday's meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin,

The Dow Jones index rallied Friday as UnitedHealth stock soared after Warren Buffett disclosed a new position.