UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has traditionally been a reliable dividend stock, but this year has seen a 28% drop in shares due to rising costs and disappointing earnings. Despite this, the company’s health insurance business remains strong, generating $21.3 billion in profit with a 37% payout ratio. While costs have increased due to higher utilization rates, UnitedHealth’s dividend yield is now at 2.5%, more than double the S&P 500 average. With a price-to-earnings multiple of 15, UnitedHealth still looks like a good long-term buy with strong financials and potential for dividend growth.

Despite recent challenges, UnitedHealth Group remains a top healthcare company in the U.S., insuring over 50 million people. While utilization rates may be high now, the company’s financial strength and commitment to trimming costs should help stabilize the situation. The dividend growth of over 5% earlier this year demonstrates UnitedHealth’s commitment to income investors. With a current dividend yield of 2.5%, investors may find value in this healthcare stock trading at a modest price-to-earnings multiple of 15.

Read more at Nasdaq.: Is UnitedHealth Still a Good Dividend Stock?