Markets move as Berkshire stake in UnitedHealth draws attention

A mixed day for US stocks as consumer sentiment weighs on inflation and tariffs while Berkshire Hathaway increases its stake in UnitedHealth

Markets steady as Berkshire stake lifts UnitedHealth stock

U.S. stocks closed mixed on Friday with the S&P 500 down 0.3 percent, the Nasdaq down 0.4 percent and the Dow up 0.1 percent. A regulatory filing showed Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group sending the health insurer stock higher by about 12 percent, making it a standout mover of the day. The move highlights the influence of large investors on market mood even when broader policy and macro headlines stay in play. In other areas, Applied Materials tumbled nearly 14 percent after guiding below expectations for the current quarter, despite solid fourth quarter results. Sunrun rose after beating sales and earnings estimates, with its renewables focus helping peers like First Solar and Enphase Energy lift pronouncements in the sector. Moderna rose on favorable attention to mRNA vaccine tech, while Paramount Skydance shares pulled back after a period of heightened volatility tied to the merger. Cisco Systems declined after a downgrade, underscoring a softer restocking cycle in the networking equipment space.

The Berkshire UnitedHealth move shows how big players can tilt the market mood beyond daily earnings. It also frames the health sector as a test case for shareholder patience in a period of inflation and policy uncertainty. At the same time the day reveals the gap between strong select names and the broader market where guidance misses and macro worries can blunt gains. Investors are weighing the potential for policy shifts against the appeal of durable earnings streams, a mix that keeps volatility in play.

Highlights

Next week will test how new earnings and policy signals reshape risk appetite