Duke Energy Corporation $DUK Stake Lowered by Assenagon Asset Management S.A.

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. cut its stake in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 61.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 315,223 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 511,073 shares during the quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $36,947,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Pflug Koory LLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pflug Koory LLC now owns 2,694 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 5,048 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $625,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. EWA LLC grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. EWA LLC now owns 2,203 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $273,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Mill Creek Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 4.6% in the third quarter. Mill Creek Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,854 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $229,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC raised its position in Duke Energy by 4.1% during the third quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC now owns 2,113 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Duke Energy Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:DUK opened at $128.08 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $125.93 and its 200-day moving average is $123.05. 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 Corporation has a 12 month low of $111.22 and a 12 month high of $134.49. The firm has a market cap of $99.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.27 and a beta of 0.50.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $7.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 last year, the business posted $1.66 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th were given a dividend of $1.065 per share. 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 payout ratio is currently 67.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on DUK. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Scotiabank raised 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. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $127.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Duke Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, March 7th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $137.80.

Duke Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results and fundamentals showed resilience — Duke topped EPS expectations ($1.50 vs. $1.49) and posted revenue above estimates; the stock trades at a mid-20s P/E and analysts expect ~6.33 EPS for the year, supporting the rally. Duke Energy trading and earnings summary
• Positive Sentiment: Macro/strategic upside from Sunbelt footprint — analysis argues Duke’s Sunbelt assets position it to capture rising AI/data-center demand, which could drive incremental load and grid upgrade revenues. Duke Energy: Prime Sunbelt Assets Set It Up For AI Tailwinds
• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida customer relief programs reduce near-term bill pressure — storm cost charges were removed (lowering typical bills) and ~ $30.5M in assistance aided ~31k customers in 2025, which may reduce arrears and regulatory friction. Energy Bill Assistance Available for Qualified Duke Energy Florida Customers
• Neutral Sentiment: Customer relations/PR focus — coverage highlights efforts (with AES Indiana example) to rebuild customer trust and service reliability; execution on these initiatives matters but impact on near-term earnings is uncertain. AES Indiana and Duke Energy seek to rebuild trust with customers
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector peers show similar tailwinds — bullish takes on CenterPoint (CNP) and Ameren underline industry-wide demand for grid upgrades and data-center connections; these stories highlight shared opportunities and competitive dynamics. Here’s Why CNP Stock Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio Right Now Ameren Poised for Growth on Rising Power Demand & Investments
• Negative Sentiment: Local opposition to data centers in Rowan County could delay interconnection approvals or raise costs — residents protested a Duke Energy hearing, signaling possible permitting, political and PR headwinds for new data-center hookups. ‘Nobody wants it here.’ Rowan County residents rail against data centers at Duke Energy hearing
• Negative Sentiment: Political and environmental pressure in North Carolina — town officials and groups are urging the governor to push Duke toward faster renewable adoption, which could increase near-term capex or regulatory constraints. NC town, environmental groups urge Gov. Stein to push Duke on renewable energy

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In related news, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 3,896 shares in the company, valued at $498,142.56. This represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total value of $868,156.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,007 shares in the company, valued at $2,809,633.69. This trade represents a 23.61% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.