Stock Market Update: S&P 500 Soars to All-Time High Amid Mixed Earnings; Nasdaq Rallies but UnitedHealth Drags Down Dow Jones

On January 27, 2026, UnitedHealth Group’s stock took a dramatic hit, falling nearly 20%—its sharpest decline since August. This drop influenced the Dow Jones Industrial Average, despite a generally positive day for U.S. stocks.

The sell-off was triggered by disappointing quarterly results from UnitedHealth. Adding to the troubles, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced only a 0.09% increase in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans for the upcoming year. Industry experts had predicted a rise of between 4% and 6%, so the news came as a shock.

This minimal bump follows substantial increases in previous years, with a rise of over 5% anticipated for 2026. As a result, the healthcare sector, which had initially surged entering 2026, faced renewed anxiety fueled by political uncertainties. Investors are wary of potential pushbacks against health insurers from public figures, including the Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been a vocal critic of the industry.

Not only UnitedHealth felt the impact. Humana’s stock fell 20%, while Aetna’s parent company, CVS Health, and Elevance Health saw declines of 14% and 13%, respectively.

Recent trends show healthcare investors are bracing for more turbulence as political discussions swirl around healthcare affordability. A recent report highlighted that about 60% of Americans feel the healthcare system is unaffordable, which raises concerns about potential regulatory changes that could further affect insurance companies.

In a different corner of the market, silver has emerged as an attractive investment for many. It has surged almost 50% this year, significantly outpacing gold’s 15% gain. Analysts refer to this as “gold on steroids,” emphasizing the growing interest among individual investors, who are increasingly favoring silver over traditional equities like Nvidia, the tech darling. According to Vanda Research, silver investments have recently outperformed popular stocks, attracting a record inflow of $171 million into the iShares Silver Trust.

As for long-term investment strategies, renowned investor Warren Buffett reminds us of the importance of enduring market volatility. He argues that sticking with investments, even through tough times, is key to building wealth. His advice came into focus looking back over the last decade, where an investment in the S&P 500 would have tripled despite facing significant market downturns.

Overall, financial markets are experiencing notable shifts, illustrating the need for investors to stay informed and adaptable in an ever-changing economic landscape.

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