Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Has $50.39 Million Holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) by 7.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 467,681 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 36,210 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned 0.06% of Duke Energy worth $50,388,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. WealthTrak Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake in Duke Energy by 1,500.0% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 288 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Duke Energy Trading Up 2.6 %

DUK stock traded up $3.11 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $123.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,039,385 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,246,393. Duke Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $92.75 and a 12 month high of $124.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. The business's 50 day moving average price is $115.86 and its 200 day moving average price is $113.80. The company has a market cap of $95.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.48.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.05. Duke Energy had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 9.50%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a $1.045 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.38%. Duke Energy's payout ratio is currently 73.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on DUK shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $114.00 to $121.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Guggenheim increased their target price on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $123.87.

Duke Energy Profile

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.