UnitedHealth ($UNH) Stock Plunged 30% — Here’s Why I’m Buying the Dip Anyway

So yeah, UnitedHealth ($UNH) has had a pretty rough time lately. Stock’s down big (like 30%-ish), the CEO bailed out of nowhere, they pulled their guidance, and there was that whole cyberattack thing. A lot going on.

But despite all that noise, I’m buying the dip. Here’s why I’m leaning in while a lot of folks are backing away.

It’s Still a Powerhouse Underneath the Drama

Even with all the recent chaos, UNH is still the biggest health insurer in the U.S. And it’s not just insurance — they’ve got their hands in healthcare delivery, data, pharmacy services, and more. That scale and integration gives them a lot of pricing power and efficiency. It’s not something you can replicate overnight.

This is similar to how I approached Arista Networks — strong fundamentals, short-term noise, long-term potential.

The Cash Flow is No Joke

Even with margins getting squeezed a bit, they’re still generating massive free cash flow — like $25 billion in the last 12 months. That gives them tons of flexibility to ride this out, invest where they need to, and keep the business moving forward.

I’m always drawn to companies that have strong free cash flow and solid return on equity. UNH still checks those boxes.

It’s Kind of a Bargain Now

Before all this, UNH was trading at 22–30x earnings. Now? It’s around 15x. That’s a big reset. For a company this strong, that kind of multiple is hard to ignore. The fundamentals are still there — the stock just got knocked down by fear and uncertainty.

It reminds me of the case I made for Amazon in 2025 — where short-term sentiment and long-term fundamentals just weren’t aligned.

But I’m Definitely Watching a Few Things

Not gonna lie — this isn’t a risk-free move. Here’s what I’m keeping close tabs on:

• Whether they bring back earnings guidance soon. That would be a good sign that they’re getting a handle on things.
• How medical costs trend. If utilization keeps spiking, that’s a real issue.
• Whether the new/old CEO (Hemsley) can bring some stability back.
• Progress on the cybersecurity front after the Change Healthcare breach.
• Any new regulatory pressure, especially with pharmacy benefit managers like OptumRx.

In the meantime, I’m also diversifying across other healthcare picks. If that’s your jam too, check out my recent post on an undervalued healthcare stock: RPRX.

Why I’m Okay Being Early

This isn’t some flashy turnaround play. I’m not expecting it to rocket next week. But I do think the market overreacted to a series of short-term problems. I’d rather get in early while the sentiment is bad, than chase it later if things stabilize.

If you’re looking for ways to balance a longer-term position like this, I’ve written about monthly dividend stocks for passive income and swing trading setups too.

Anyway, just sharing where my head’s at. Not advice, just my own take on why I’m buying some $UNH down here.

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