---
title: "UnitedHealth, Merck Share Gains Contribute To Dow's 166-Point Jump"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/292925720.md"
description: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 166 points (0.3%) on Thursday, driven primarily by gains in UnitedHealth and Merck shares, which contributed approximately 25% to the index's rally. UnitedHealth stock climbed 4.9%, while Merck gained 3.4%. Other notable contributors included Nike, Amgen, and McDonald's."
datetime: "2026-07-16T15:18:32.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/292925720.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/292925720.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/292925720.md)
---

# UnitedHealth, Merck Share Gains Contribute To Dow's 166-Point Jump

This article was automatically generated by MarketWatch using technology from Automated Insights.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up Thursday morning with shares of UnitedHealth and Merck seeing positive growth for the index.

The Dow (Dow Jones Industrial Average) is trading 166 points, or 0.3%, higher, as shares of UnitedHealth (UnitedHealth Group Inc.) and Merck (Merck & Co. Inc.) have contributed around 25% of the blue-chip gauge's intraday rally.

UnitedHealth's shares have climbed $20.65 (4.9%) while those of Merck have gained $4.21, or 3.4%, combining for a roughly 148-point boost for the Dow.

Also contributing significantly to the gain are Nike (Nike Inc. Cl B), Amgen (Amgen Inc.), and McDonald's (McDonald's Corp.).

A $1 move in any one of the 30 components of the Dow equates to a 5.94-point swing.

Data source: Dow Jones Market Data, FactSet. Data compiled July 16, 2026.

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-16-26 1118ET

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