Challenger Wealth Management Takes Position in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Challenger Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 10,787 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,162,000. Duke Energy makes up about 1.0% of Challenger Wealth Management's portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. WealthTrak Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its position in Duke Energy by 1,500.0% in the 4th 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 period. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the company's stock.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Duke Energy stock traded down $1.85 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $114.53. The stock had a trading volume of 2,797,709 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,441,528. The firm has a market capitalization of $89.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.39. 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 firm's 50 day moving average is $118.87 and its 200 day moving average is $114.71. Duke Energy Co. has a one year low of $99.21 and a one year high of $125.27.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $8.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.70 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 9.50%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.44 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. Duke Energy's payout ratio is currently 69.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on DUK shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $130.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Guggenheim boosted their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $128.00 to $123.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $114.00 to $121.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $125.81.

About Duke Energy

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.