Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $138.3333.

DUK has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Capitol Sec Mgt lowered Duke Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Wall Street Zen raised Duke Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 28th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $137.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday, May 11th.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DUK traded up $0.21 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $125.47. The stock had a trading volume of 2,801,060 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,706,513. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $124.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $125.12. Duke Energy has a fifty-two week low of $113.89 and a fifty-two week high of $134.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The company has a market capitalization of $97.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.21 and a beta of 0.38.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.49% and a return on equity of 9.73%. The business had revenue of $9.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.44 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.76 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Duke Energy will post 6.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $1.065 per share. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 15th. Duke Energy’s payout ratio is presently 65.24%.

More Duke Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida said it will deliver $50 million in customer savings and avoid a planned 2027 base rate increase by accelerating the return of tax credits tied to its battery storage system, reinforcing the company’s ability to manage rates and support customers. Duke Energy Florida delivers $50 million in customer savings, avoids 2027 base rate increase through innovative tax strategy
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple market write-ups highlighted Duke Energy as a stable, cash-generating utility with solid sales growth, favorable valuation metrics, and stronger revenue consistency than some peers, which can support investor confidence in the stock. Invest in These 3 Sales Growth Stocks for Robust Returns
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage comparing Duke Energy with other utilities suggested the company has held up well versus the sector this year, underscoring its defensive appeal relative to peers. Has Duke Energy (DUK) Outpaced Other Utilities Stocks This Year?
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles about Duke Energy’s customer bill assistance and free home inspections are favorable from a public-relations standpoint, but they are unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings or valuation. Duke Energy to provide credit assistance for customers
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader industry reporting on surging data-center power demand and equipment shortages could eventually benefit utilities like Duke Energy through higher load growth, but it also signals higher costs and longer lead times, making the near-term impact mixed. US power companies scramble to secure equipment as surging data center demand strains supplies
• Negative Sentiment: Duke Energy is still facing regulatory pushback in North Carolina after reducing its requested residential rate hike, which keeps pressure on the company’s ability to win approval for higher rates. Duke reduces rate hike request, still faces regulator pushback

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In other news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.15, for a total value of $438,025.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 21,415 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,680,087.25. This represents a 14.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Harry K. Sideris sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.37, for a total value of $2,487,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 96,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,952,205.74. This trade represents a 17.23% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 5,254.4% in the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,735,816 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $358,227,000 after acquiring an additional 2,684,721 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,258,757 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $9,172,709,000 after purchasing an additional 1,957,592 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 56.9% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 2,662,460 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $312,067,000 after purchasing an additional 965,808 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Duke Energy by 13.1% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,236,893 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $965,446,000 after purchasing an additional 954,907 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Milford Funds Ltd. acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $97,905,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

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.