Wealthfront Advisers LLC Purchases 15,527 Shares of Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Key Points

• Wealthfront Advisers LLC raised its stake in Duke Energy by 11.2%, buying 15,527 shares to hold 153,842 shares worth about $18.03 million, as institutional investors now own roughly 65.31% of the company.
• Duke announced an industry‑record US$103 billion five‑year grid, gas, solar, battery and nuclear investment plan and secured a 20‑year license renewal for the Robinson nuclear plant, supporting long‑term growth, but faces potential headwinds from a proposed ~15% rate increase that could draw regulatory and public scrutiny.
• Duke slightly beat quarterly expectations with $1.50 EPS on $7.94 billion in revenue, and analysts maintain a consensus of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $140.25.

Wealthfront Advisers LLC raised its position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) by 11.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 153,842 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 15,527 shares during the period. Wealthfront Advisers LLC's holdings in Duke Energy were worth $18,032,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DUK. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Duke Energy by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,258,757 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $9,172,709,000 after purchasing an additional 1,957,592 shares in the last quarter. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $86,309,000. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec increased its stake in Duke Energy by 19.1% in the third quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 2,613,595 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $323,432,000 after purchasing an additional 419,992 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Duke Energy by 4.1% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,281,986 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $901,146,000 after purchasing an additional 288,499 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Liberty One Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 92.8% in the third quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 522,137 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $64,634,000 after buying an additional 251,257 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the company's stock.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

Shares of DUK opened at $127.84 on Wednesday. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $111.22 and a 12 month high of $134.49. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $129.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $124.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.23 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.01. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.41% and a return on equity of 9.66%. The business had revenue of $7.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.57 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.66 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Stories Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke unveiled an industry‑record US$103 billion five‑year grid, gas, solar, battery and nuclear investment plan and secured a 20‑year license renewal for Robinson nuclear plant — supports multi‑decade cash flow and utility growth thesis. Does Duke’s Record US$103 Billion Grid and Nuclear Buildout Reshape the Bull Case for DUK?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and screens point to likely earnings growth/beat for the upcoming report — reinforces income and valuation support for the stock. Duke Energy (DUK) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Community and workforce investments — Duke commits $1M in NC nonprofits and the Duke Energy Foundation awards $275k in Florida — positive for regulatory/PR relations and local goodwill. Duke Energy commits $1 million to strengthen nonprofits helping North Carolina customers meet essential needs
• Positive Sentiment: Operational recognition: Duke lineworkers performed well at the Carolinas Lineman's Rodeo — small but positive signal on workforce skill/reliability. Duke Energy Lineworkers Shine at 2026 Carolinas Lineman's Rodeo
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor comparison piece weighing NextEra vs. Duke — useful framing for relative valuation and strategy, but not a direct catalyst. Energy Stock Showdown: NextEra or Duke Energy -- Which One Wins Right Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Open house on future powerline plans — community engagement on grid upgrades; important for project timelines but not an immediate financial driver. Duke Energy hosts open house for future powerline plans
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/customer risk: Duke plans a rate increase in June (reports reference a proposed ~15% hike) and customers will weigh in at public hearings — could delay approvals or spur political pushback. Duke Energy plans to raise rates in June. Here’s what they’re paying for
• Negative Sentiment: Controversy/regulatory scrutiny: reporting that Duke received tax breaks for its three N.C. data centers may attract political scrutiny and reputational risk. Duke Energy Received Tax Breaks on Its Three N.C. Data Centers
• Negative Sentiment: Security/headline risk: a man was accused of threatening Duke's CEO at a commencement event — limited operational impact but a negative headline. Man accused of threatening Duke Energy CEO at NC State commencement

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In related news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total transaction of $868,156.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 22,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,809,633.69. This represents a 23.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total transaction of $123,001.32. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 3,896 shares of the company's stock, valued at $498,142.56. The trade was a 19.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DUK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. BTIG Research reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $141.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Friday, January 30th. Mizuho set a $130.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $127.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $138.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Duke Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.25.

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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