NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC Sells 81,882 Shares of Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Key Points

• NorthCrest Asset Management cut its Duke Energy position by 83.3%, selling 81,882 shares and retaining 16,462 shares valued at approximately $1.92 million. Institutional investors still own about 65.3% of DUK.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with ten Buy ratings and eight Holds and an average price target of $133.38. However, JPMorgan and KeyCorp recently lowered their price targets, signaling increased caution.
• Duke Energy reported quarterly EPS of $1.43, exceeding expectations, and announced a quarterly dividend of $1.085 per share, representing a 3.6% annualized yield.

NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC trimmed its position in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) by 83.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,462 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 81,882 shares during the quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC's holdings in Duke Energy were worth $1,923,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DUK. Basso Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 154.6% during the 1st quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 275 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Evergreen Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Dynamic Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 53.1% during the 1st quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC now owns 297 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on DUK. BTIG Research reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Duke Energy from $137.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on Duke Energy from $139.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Mizuho set a $136.00 price objective on Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "hold" rating and issued a $121.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Monday. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Duke Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $133.38.

Key Headlines Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts’ average price target is $133.38, implying meaningful potential upside from recent levels and reinforcing expectations for long-term value despite near-term uncertainty. Duke Energy Corporation Stock Has Average Price Target of $133.38
• Positive Sentiment: FERC approved Duke’s transmission rules for large electricity users. The decision could help the company serve data centers and other large-load customers while improving the framework for recovering related infrastructure costs, although cost-allocation concerns remain. FERC Approves Duke Large Load Transmission Rules
• Positive Sentiment: Duke highlighted grid upgrades and a planned $103 billion investment program aimed at improving storm resilience and reliability. These investments could support regulated rate-base growth and reduce the impact of future outages over time. Can Duke Energy’s Grid Investments Strengthen Storm Resilience?
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida introduced a $7.50 monthly credit for customers charging EVs during designated off-peak periods. The program may encourage electricity usage and strengthen customer engagement, but its direct financial effect is likely limited. Duke Energy Florida EV Charging Credit Program
• Negative Sentiment: KeyBanc cut its price target to $128 from $139, while JPMorgan reduced its target to $130 from $137 and maintained a neutral rating. KeyBanc remains overweight, but the reductions signal more cautious expectations for valuation and growth. KeyBanc Adjusts Duke Energy Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that North Carolina customers allege power surges damaged appliances and that claims were denied create potential reputational, regulatory, and claims-related risks. North Carolina Power Surge Claims

Duke Energy Price Performance

DUK stock opened at $119.51 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $119.11 and a 200-day moving average of $123.88. The company has a market cap of $93.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.72, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $112.40 and a 12-month high of $134.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $7.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.66 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 15.78%. The company's revenue was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.25 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 13th will be given a dividend of $1.0850 per share. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 13th. Duke Energy's payout ratio is presently 65.17%.

Duke Energy Profile

Duke Energy Corporation NYSE: DUK is an energy holding company that operates regulated electric and natural gas utilities in the United States. Its electric utilities generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers.

The company serves customers across the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy also operates natural gas utilities and related infrastructure in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

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