Alchemi Wealth LLC Purchases Shares of 15,607 Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Key Points

• Alchemi Wealth LLC opened a new position in Duke Energy, buying 15,607 shares worth about $1.83 million. The stake now represents roughly 1% of its portfolio and ranks as its 22nd largest holding.
• Analyst sentiment on Duke Energy remains constructive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $138.93. Recent reports were mixed on the target price, but several firms still rate the stock Buy or overweight.
• Duke Energy reported better-than-expected quarterly results and also announced a $1.065 quarterly dividend, equal to a 3.4% annualized yield. However, the article also notes recent CEO share sales and highlights the stock’s defensive appeal amid inflation and higher oil prices.

Alchemi Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 15,607 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,829,000. Duke Energy makes up about 1.0% of Alchemi Wealth LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of DUK. Dorato Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 1,111.1% in the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Triumph Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 68.6% during the fourth quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 231 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the period. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company's stock.

Duke Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary are highlighting Duke Energy as a defensive, low-volatility utility pick as inflation jumps and oil prices surge, which can draw investors toward stable dividend names like DUK. 3 Low-Beta Utility Stocks to Buy as Inflation Jumps to Three-Year High
• Positive Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece argues Duke Energy could keep rising, reinforcing bullish sentiment around the company’s earnings outlook, utility stability, and rate-driven growth profile. Duke Energy: Why This Utility Could Keep Rising
• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy received up to $96 million in federal coal plant grants, which could help offset refurbishment costs and support grid reliability without passing as much expense to customers. How Investors Are Reacting To Duke Energy (DUK) Winning US$96 Million In Federal Coal Plant Grants
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage coverage remains constructive, with Duke Energy carrying an average “Moderate Buy” recommendation. Duke Energy Corporation NYSE: DUK Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $127.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Monday, May 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $139.00 to $136.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 13th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $142.00 to $137.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $139.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $138.93.

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In other news, CEO Harry K. Sideris sold 20,000 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 96,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,952,205.74. This represents a 17.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction of $438,025.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 21,415 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,680,087.25. The trade was a 14.05% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.12% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:DUK opened at $124.91 on Friday. 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 cap of $97.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.13 and a beta of 0.39. Duke Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $113.66 and a fifty-two week high of $134.49. The firm's 50 day moving average is $126.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $124.01.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.76 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.71 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

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

Duke Energy Company Profile

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.

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