Market Minute ⏱️ 1/27/26: Boeing, UNH, GM Lead Earnings Parade

Mike Larson | Editor-in-Chief

Stocks enjoyed a broad-based gain yesterday, but they’re more mixed so far today. Gold and silver are taking a breather after a big rally and reversal on Monday, while crude oil is rising. The dollar is taking another header, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) approaching a four-year low.

It’s an earnings bonanza today, with several big, brand-name companies reporting fourth-quarter results. Boeing Co. (BA) continued its turnaround under CEO Kelly Ortberg, reporting a solid $375 million in free cash flow during the period. Revenue jumped 57% to $23.9 billion.

Excluding a big $9.6 billion gain linked to Boeing’s sale of the Jeppesen subsidiary, though, adjusted earnings missed estimates. Some work remains to be done in the company’s defense and space division, too. Boeing stock was down a bit in early trading, but up 41.1% in the last year.

BA, UNH, GM (1-Year % Change)

Meanwhile, mega-insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) is reeling after it said 2026 sales would slide for the first time in more than 30 years. The company is deliberately shrinking its membership roles and closing locations at its Optum Health unit.

Plus, the US government said yesterday that it would raise Medicare payment rates just 0.09% next year – far below the 6% rise analysts anticipated. That could squeeze profits further in the government-backed health program. UNH stock tanked 16% in early trading. It was already down 32% in the past 12 months.

Finally, General Motors Co. (GM) reported better-than-expected adjusted earnings in Q4, while also forecasting a range for 2026 EPS with a midpoint that topped current estimates. While it lost $3.3 billion overall due to a previously disclosed charge tied to its Electric Vehicle (EV) unit, the company boosted its dividend 20%. Plus, it announced a $6 billion share buyback program, cheering investors. GM stock rose 4% — adding to its 48.8% rally since January.

Nadig: What Investors Need to Know About OPTIONS-Based ETFs

Take Your Trading Education to the Next Level - at the 2026 MoneyShow Las Vegas!

If you’re an active trader, then the 2026 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas is for YOU. From Feb. 23-25 at the Paris Las Vegas, you’ll have access to DOZENS of workshops, presentations, and deep-dive MoneyMasters courses designed to help you level up your trading results.

Join Andrew Aziz, founder of Peak Capital Trading, for an exclusive live trading event in Las Vegas. Learn from Danielle Shay of Simpler Trading in her course “Sharpen Your Trading Edge: A 10-Step Process to Master Options Trading.” Plus so much more! Your pass to all the education and excitement is waiting here…

• Top Picks 2026: Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BDX)
  👉️ TICKER: BDX
  Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BDX) is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and sells a wide range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products. It represents an attractive total return opportunity for 2026, suggests Kelley Wright, editor of IQ Trends.

• Top Picks 2026: Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST)
  👉️ TICKERS: WMT, COST
  Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) is a stock that features a powerful narrative: its substantial, long-term structural advantages are being obscured by investor concerns over immediate sales growth. It offers compelling value because the market is failing to appreciate the true scale of its opportunity, suggests Joe Markman, editor at Digital Creators & Consumers.

🎰 📈 Prime your portfolio for maximum profit in 2026—at the MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas! Click HERE to join 100+ experts for three days of education and fun, Feb. 23-25, 2026, at the Paris Las Vegas!

🐂💲Earnings surprises won't drive the next leg of the bull market. The S&P 500's path hinges on whether investors keep paying for high valuations. (Opening Bell Daily)