UnitedHealth Group, a major player in the healthcare industry, is experiencing a tumultuous period that is impacting not only its stakeholders but also the broader stock market. As one of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, UnitedHealth’s plummeting stock value is exerting downward pressure on the Dow, a key indicator of the U.S. economy’s health.

Just a month ago, UnitedHealth held the top position in the Dow in terms of share price, but its shares have since nosedived by over 50%. In contrast, the Dow has seen a modest 5% increase during the same period, signaling a positive trend in the market following recent volatility induced by trade tensions.

While the Dow’s performance has been somewhat restrained compared to other major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, which have surged by nearly 10% and 14% respectively, UnitedHealth’s troubles have escalated. Recent events, including the abrupt replacement of CEO Andrew Witty and a reported investigation by the Department of Justice for potential Medicare fraud, have further eroded investor confidence in the company.

Despite UnitedHealth’s stock woes dragging down the Dow, there is a silver lining as the company’s reduced influence within the index is mitigating the overall impact. Despite the recent stock decline for UnitedHealth, the Dow managed to close slightly higher on Thursday, indicating resilience in the face of market challenges.