Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the seventeen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $137.80.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DUK. BMO Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $136.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $127.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Mizuho set a $130.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th.

Duke Energy Stock Up 0.5%

DUK opened at $130.03 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $101.18 billion, a PE ratio of 20.57 and a beta of 0.50. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $126.35 and its 200-day moving average is $123.17. Duke Energy has a one year low of $111.22 and a one year high of $134.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $7.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.57 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.41% and a return on equity of 9.66%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.66 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Duke Energy will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th were given a $1.065 dividend. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.41%.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In other news, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total transaction of $123,001.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 3,896 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $498,142.56. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total value of $868,156.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 22,007 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,809,633.69. This represents a 23.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DUK. Basso Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Dorato Capital Management acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 1,111.1% in the 4th quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management lifted its position in Duke Energy by 68.6% during the 4th quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 231 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

More Duke Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: South Carolina regulators approved Duke Energy’s plan to build a combined‑cycle natural gas plant in Anderson County — the company says construction could start in 2027 with service by ~2031, creating jobs and new rate‑base assets that support future earnings. Duke Energy secures approval for gas plant in South Carolina
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke is scouting multiple North Carolina sites (Davie/ Davidson/Yadkin River area) for additional natural‑gas units to meet demand — potential growth pipeline but subject to permitting, community feedback and capital allocation decisions. Davidson or Davie? Duke Energy eyes sites for twin natural gas plants
• Negative Sentiment: Rising Treasury yields could increase borrowing costs and pressure utility multiples, making Duke’s stock more volatile even as fundamentals stay steady — a macro headwind to watch for dividend investors. Duke Energy: Surging Treasury Yields Could Spark Volatility For This Utility
• Negative Sentiment: Local opposition is growing in several communities — homeowners on a lake are contesting dozens of pontoon platforms tied to Duke activity, and residents have also protested data‑center load growth at hearings — risks to permitting, timing and reputational capital. One lake and 200 pontoon platforms are pitting NC homeowners against Duke Energy Residents rail against data centers at Duke Energy hearing
• Neutral Sentiment: Questions over political influence in Florida and local advocacy could lead to regulatory scrutiny or shifting public relations needs; monitor state‑level developments that may affect approvals and rate cases. He beat an anti-utility campaign before. Is he helping Duke Energy Florida?

About Duke Energy

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.