Louis Renjel Sells 3,500 Shares of Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Stock

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) CEO Louis Renjel sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.15, for a total value of $438,025.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 21,415 shares in the company, valued at $2,680,087.25. This trade represents a 14.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Duke Energy Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE DUK opened at $123.84 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $129.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $124.10. The company has a market capitalization of $96.55 billion, a PE ratio of 18.97 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $111.22 and a 12 month high of $134.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 15.49%.The business had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.76 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.7 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $1.065 dividend. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 65.24%.

Trending Headlines about Duke Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Duke Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy’s recent first-quarter results came in ahead of expectations, with earnings and revenue both topping estimates, while management reaffirmed its full-year guidance and highlighted a large five-year capital plan, additional data-center power agreements, and DOE loan applications that could support long-term growth and customer savings. How Investors Are Reacting To Duke Energy (DUK) Earnings Beat, Massive Capex Plan And DOE Loan Bid
• Positive Sentiment: Hot weather across the Carolinas could boost electricity demand as air conditioners run longer, which may help near-term utility usage and revenue. 90-degree heat on the way: Take these steps now to keep your home comfortable and manage energy use
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage of Duke Energy’s nuclear fleet was constructive, noting record capacity factor performance, which supports the company’s operating reliability and long-term clean-energy strategy. Duke Energy’s Nuclear Playbook: Three Horizons, One Strategy
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts made only modest target changes, including JPMorgan, UBS, and Jefferies lowering price targets slightly while still implying upside, so the revisions do not appear to signal a major deterioration in the outlook. JPMorgan adjusts price target on Duke Energy
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider selling by CEO Harry Sideris and CEO Louis E. Renjel may be pressuring sentiment, even though these transactions do not necessarily change Duke Energy’s operating fundamentals. SEC Form 4 filing for CEO share sale

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays increased their price objective on Duke Energy from $127.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Duke Energy from $139.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Duke Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Mizuho raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, May 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management Inc. acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $1,369,000. Gibbs Wealth Management increased its position in Duke Energy by 8.4% in the 1st quarter. Gibbs Wealth Management now owns 9,049 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,185,000 after buying an additional 704 shares in the last quarter. Lido Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 61,891 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $8,105,000 after purchasing an additional 5,021 shares in the last quarter. Alpha Family Trust bought a new stake in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $200,000. Finally, Dynamic Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based electric power holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s core business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Duke Energy operates a mix of regulated electric utilities and non-regulated energy businesses, providing essential energy infrastructure and services across multiple states.

Its operating activities include owning and operating generation assets across a portfolio that encompasses nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and an expanding array of renewable resources, as well as battery storage and grid modernization projects.