Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) have received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the seventeen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $137.80.

DUK has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $136.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Monday, March 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $136.00 to $126.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Evercore reiterated an “in-line” rating and issued a $139.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th.

Duke Energy Price Performance

DUK stock opened at $130.03 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.57 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Duke Energy has a 52-week low of $111.22 and a 52-week high of $134.49. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $126.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $123.17.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.01. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.66% and a net margin of 15.41%.The firm had revenue of $7.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.66 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Duke Energy will post 6.33 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

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

Duke Energy News Summary

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?

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In other Duke Energy news, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total value of $123,001.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 3,896 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $498,142.56. This trade represents a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of the company’s 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $2,809,633.69. This trade represents a 23.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Duke Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Old North State Trust LLC increased its stake in Duke Energy by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 30,734 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,602,000 after buying an additional 4,005 shares during the period. Purpose Unlimited Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $143,000. Cornerstone Planning LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,602,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 233,089 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $27,320,000 after acquiring an additional 5,494 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 62.7% during the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 42,680 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,002,000 after acquiring an additional 16,450 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.