UnitedHealth’s stock falls after report of antitrust investigation

UnitedHealth Group Inc. shares
UNH,
-2.27%
fell more than 2% Tuesday after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into the health insurance giant. Justice Department investigators have interviewed industry representatives in sectors where UnitedHealth competes, including doctor groups, the Journal reported Tuesday, asking about certain relationships between the company’s UnitedHealthcare insurance unit and its Optum health services division. UnitedHealth and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to MarketWatch requests for comment. UnitedHealth stock has dropped 2.5% in the year to date, while the S&P 500
SPX,
+0.17%
has gained 6.5%.