Dow retreats as UnitedHealth sinks, S&P 500 and Nasdaq aim for winning week

All three major indexes fell into the red Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) falling more than 400 points.

UnitedHealth (UNH) shares dragged the Dow lower Friday afternoon. The healthcare company tumbled 8% in afternoon trading after a report said the Department of Justice is probing its Medicare billing practices.

Consumer sentiment also took a hit this month as Americans anticipate tariff-induced price hikes. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index tumbled to 64.7 at the end of February, below January’s 71.7, according to data published Friday. Consumers also expressed a worsened outlook for inflation in the year ahead.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) shed 0.5% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) lost 0.7%, reversing earlier gains.

The benchmark S&P 500 and Nasdaq are on track for weekly wins, while the Dow is staring at a loss.

Energy drink brand Celsius Holdings (CELH) plans to acquire rival Alani Nutrition in a $1.8 billion deal expected to close in 2025’s second quarter.

Celsius stock soared by more than 30% Friday as the plans became public.

The deal is Celsius’s largest acquisition and comes as energy drink sales are rising. The rapid growth of Alani Nu, founded in 2018 by fitness influencer Katy Hearn, also highlights the power of social media branding and influencer partnerships. Positioned as a fitness aid, Alani Nu would add to Celsius’ existing product line.

“The transaction will combine two growing, scaled brands in the U.S. energy drink category, creating a leading better-for-you, functional lifestyle platform that is well positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for zero-sugar alternatives,” Celsius said in a statement.

Other legacy brands are getting in on the energy drink play, including Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP).

Reports that the Department of Justice is investigating UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH) Medicare billing practices have continued to hammer the stock, sending shares nearly 9% lower on Friday.

The civil fraud investigation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, examines how UnitedHealth records diagnoses that boost payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS pays private insurers lump sums to provide alternate Medicare coverage.

It’s the sixth time this year the stock has traded down and the second time this week, Yahoo Finance’s Anjalee Khemlani reports. Earlier this week, the company reportedly offered buyouts to employees of its health insurance business, UnitedHealthcare, and considered layoffs if it didn’t reach the target for buyouts.

The DOJ has also been scrutinizing the company for a potential breakup, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could block its latest acquisition.

Read more about UnitedHealth’s troubles here.

Sales to purchase an existing home started the year lower as higher mortgage rates dampened housing activity.

Existing home sales declined 4.9% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.08 million, according to the National Association of Realtors. Economists polled by Bloomberg expected existing home sales to hit a pace of 4.13 million in January.

“Mortgage rates have refused to budge for several months despite multiple rounds of short-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. “When combined with elevated home prices, housing affordability remains a major challenge.”

House hunters have been on the fence about buying a home due to expensive housing costs. Mortgage rates have drifted lower over the past few weeks but remain around 7%, challenging many potential buyers.

The median home sale price rose 4.8% from a year ago to $396,900, and January marked the 19th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

UnitedHealth (UNH) shares dragged down the Dow to start the trading day Friday, following a report that said the Department of Justice is probing the company’s Medicare billing practices. Shares of the healthcare company fell about 10% during morning trading, pulling down the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI), which fell 0.5%.

The major indexes weren’t all in the red, however. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) edged just below the flatline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.2%.

The benchmark S&P 500 and Nasdaq are on track for weekly wins, while the Dow is staring at a loss.

Celsius Holdings (CELH) is acquiring Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion in cash and stock. The deal expands its sports and energy drink portfolio. Investors reacted positively, sending shares up 32% in premarket trading on Friday.

Reuters reports:

Read more here.