Berkshire’s Big Bet on UnitedHealth Berkshire Hathaway’s (NYSE:BRK-A)(NYSE:BRK-B) release yesterday of its latest 13F filing sent ripples through the market as it revealed a new 5 million share stake in UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) worth approximately $1.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group surged nearly 14% on Friday after billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought 5 million shares of the company, providing a shot in the arm for investors who think the health conglomerate will turn around under its new CEO.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. shares jumped after funds piled into the company, which has been hampered by a federal probe into its business practices and weakening results.

The blue-chip Dow Jones ended higher after hitting an intraday record high on Friday, as UnitedHealth’s shares jumped after Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake, but other Wall Street indexes slipped as mixed data clouded the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy move.

The blue-chip Dow was on track to open at a record high on Friday, underpinned by expectations of an interest rate cut in September and gains in UnitedHealth's shares after Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake in the health insurer.

Buffett owned UnitedHealth shares before selling his stake in 2010, though his Berkshire Hathaway recently acquired shares.