Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to "Sell"

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen downgraded Duke Energy from “hold” to “sell.” Despite the downgrade, the broader analyst consensus remains “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $132.19.
• Duke Energy reported quarterly EPS of $1.99, beating the $1.86 estimate, while revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $9.1 billion. The company also raised the lower end of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.70–$6.80.
• Data-center demand and population growth support Duke’s expansion plans, including a 15.4 GW large-load pipeline and a $103 billion capital plan; the plan’s scale, financing needs, and regulatory approvals pose risks.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday, Wall Street Zen reports.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Scotiabank dropped their price target on Duke Energy from $146.00 to $131.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. KeyCorp dropped their price target on Duke Energy from $139.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Mizuho set a $136.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $124.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $134.00 to $132.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $132.19.

Duke Energy Trading Down 1.7%

DUK opened at $127.91 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.25, a PEG ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $119.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $124.51. Duke Energy has a one year low of $112.40 and a one year high of $134.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.43.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $9.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.91 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.78% and a return on equity of 9.78%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.81 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Duke Energy will post 6.72 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Bonnie Titone sold 2,900 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.00, for a total transaction of $371,200.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 26,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,342,208. This represents a 10.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Duke Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $605,680,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 5,254.4% during 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 buying an additional 2,684,721 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $244,731,000. Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $100,586,000. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new position in Duke Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $88,657,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings were $1.99 per share, ahead of estimates, while revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $9.1 billion. Duke also lifted the lower end of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance, to a range of $6.70–$6.80. Article: Duke 3Q Net Up, Boosts Lower End of 2026 Adjusted EPS View
• Positive Sentiment: Data-center demand and population growth are supporting the outlook. Duke says its large-load pipeline is about 15.4 GW and is maintaining a growth strategy backed by a $103 billion capital plan. Article: Duke Energy to stay course on data center-fueled growth plan
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida received approval for lower 2027 rates after using a tax approach that avoided a planned base-rate increase. Lower bills may benefit customers, while potentially limiting revenue growth. Article: Florida PSC approved request by Duke Energy Florida to reduce rates
• Negative Sentiment: The scale of the capital plan and the need for regulatory approvals create execution and financing risks. A proposed gas facility in Davidson County is also drawing community opposition, adding potential local permitting challenges. Article: Davidson County commissioners to vote on controversial Duke Energy gas facility

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy is a U.S. energy company focused primarily on regulated electric utilities and natural gas distribution. Its businesses generate, transmit and distribute electricity, and provide natural gas service to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

The company serves electric customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its natural gas distribution operations serve customers in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Duke Energy's power generation portfolio includes nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and renewable resources.

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