Benjamin Edwards Inc. Buys 29,254 Shares of Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 60.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 78,032 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 29,254 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc.’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $9,657,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 11.6% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,754 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $728,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 19.6% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 23,162 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,825,000 after purchasing an additional 3,797 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP boosted its stake in Duke Energy by 41.3% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 65,560 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $7,996,000 after purchasing an additional 19,169 shares during the period. SCS Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $986,000. Finally, Glenview Trust co increased its position in Duke Energy by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 19,421 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,369,000 after buying an additional 247 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on DUK shares. TD Cowen started coverage on Duke Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $143.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $136.00 to $126.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $136.50.

Key Headlines Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly dividend declared: Duke announced a $1.065 per‑share quarterly dividend (record Feb. 13; payable Mar. 16), supporting income investors and reinforcing yield attractiveness.
• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida unveiled an end‑to‑end DeBary green hydrogen system (production, storage and combustion capability) — a first‑of‑its‑kind demonstration that advances decarbonization and long‑term generation diversification. Duke Energy Florida unveils green hydrogen system
• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy Foundation launched America250 grants (>$1M across six states) — positive PR and community engagement that can support regulatory goodwill in key service territories. Foundation launches America250 grants
• Positive Sentiment: Duke filed an Early Site Permit (ESP) for Belews Creek — a step toward potential nuclear expansion that could support long‑term low‑carbon generation plans and rate base growth. Duke files Belews Creek ESP
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke set Q4 and full‑year 2025 results release for Feb. 10 — an upcoming earnings print that could re‑rate the stock depending on guidance and customer/regulatory commentary. Earnings release date announced
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/retail interest noted (Zacks piece) — elevated attention can add volatility but is informational rather than a direct catalyst. Zacks: Duke attracting investor attention
• Neutral Sentiment: Rate changes in South Carolina subsidiaries begin this month — could support near‑term revenue but depends on regulator approvals and allowed returns. Rate changes in South Carolina
• Neutral Sentiment: Routine operational notices (nuclear siren tests, aerial tree trimming) — minimal fundamental impact but items investors monitor for reliability/regulatory optics. Siren tests near Oconee
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple localized outages reported (New Hanover Co., southern Indiana, Jeffersonville) — short‑term operational disruptions that can dent customer satisfaction and incur restoration costs. Power outage in New Hanover Co.
• Negative Sentiment: Reports of plans for a second new gas‑fired plant in South Carolina — may raise ESG concerns for some investors and could attract regulatory/siting scrutiny. Plans for second gas-fired plant in SC

Duke Energy Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of DUK opened at $117.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $119.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.31. The stock has a market cap of $91.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.50. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $105.20 and a 12 month high of $130.03.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 15.76%.The company’s revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.62 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.065 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.98%.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In other news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,407,234.60. This represents a 41.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy 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.