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.

Berkshire Hathaway revealed four new investments Thursday in steelmaker Nucor, insurer UnitedHealth and two of the nation’s biggest homebuilders — Lennar and DR Horton — but only one of the investments was big enough to ensure that legendary investor Warren Buffett may have handled them.

Buffett owned UnitedHealth shares before selling his stake in 2010, though his Berkshire Hathaway recently acquired shares.

The blue-chip Dow opened at a record high on Friday, as UnitedHealth's shares jumped after Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake in the health insurer, while expectations of an interest rate cut in September also lifted the mood.

The blue-chip Dow was on track to open at a record high on Friday, underpinned by expectations of an interest rate cut in September and gains in UnitedHealth's shares after Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake in the health insurer.