UnitedHealth Is One of the Worst S&P 500 Stocks In 2025. Here's Why It's Having an Even Bigger Impact on the Dow Jones.

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group's stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping 22.4% on April 17 following disappointing first-quarter earnings and a cut in full-year guidance, with an additional 17.8% drop after the CEO's resignation and removal of full-year guidance [1][2][7] - The stock is down 38.5% year-to-date, nearing the performance of Moderna, which is down 42%, making UnitedHealth one of the worst performers in the S&P 500 for 2025 [2] Company Performance - UnitedHealth operates through two main segments: UnitedHealthcare, which collects premiums from health insurance plans, and Optum, its health services segment [4] - Despite solid year-over-year growth in both segments, the company is facing increased costs and investigations into its Medicare Advantage billing practices [7][8] - The company has suspended its full-year outlook due to rising medical costs for new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and plans to return to growth in 2026 [7] Market Impact - UnitedHealth's market capitalization is approximately $282 billion, making it a significant player in the healthcare sector, but its stock price decline has a more pronounced effect on the Dow Jones Industrial Average due to its price-weighted nature [9][10] - The stock's decline has impacted the Dow by roughly 4 percentage points, affecting its year-to-date performance [12]