Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) - What Are Investment Firms Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately positive: Of 18 firms covering Duke Energy, nine rate it Buy and nine Hold; the average 12-month price target is $132.19.
• Quarterly results beat expectations: Duke reported EPS of $1.99 versus the $1.86 consensus, with revenue up 6.6% year over year to $9.1 billion, and raised the low end of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance.
• Growth and income are balanced by execution risks: Data-center demand supports a 15.4 GW large-load pipeline and a $103 billion capital plan, while regulatory approvals and financing needs pose challenges. The quarterly dividend is $1.085 per share, equivalent to a 3.4% yield.

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eighteen research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $132.19.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on DUK. Mizuho set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays cut their price objective on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $124.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Duke Energy from $137.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Duke Energy from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Duke Energy from $134.00 to $132.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In related news, EVP Bonnie Titone sold 2,900 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.00, for a total transaction of $371,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 26,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,342,208. This trade represents a 10.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Livelsberger Financial Advisory purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Dynamic Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Duke Energy Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of DUK stock opened at $127.91 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $99.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. Duke Energy has a fifty-two week low of $112.40 and a fifty-two week high of $134.49. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $119.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $124.51.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $9.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.91 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.94% and a return on equity of 9.82%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.81 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Duke Energy will post 6.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.0850 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 13th. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Duke Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.17%.

Trending Headlines about 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

Duke Energy Company Profile

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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