Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation, eleven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $135.5625.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on DUK shares. TD Cowen began coverage on Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $143.00 price objective for the company. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $127.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $126.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $143.00 target price for the company.

Trending Headlines about Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke unveiled a major battery-storage project at a former coal plant — a $100M conversion that supports capacity, grid reliability and decarbonization goals, which investors tend to view positively for longer‑term growth and regulatory alignment. Duke Energy turns former coal plant into $100 million battery storage space
• Positive Sentiment: Duke rolled out customer programs (smart‑thermostat credits, demand‑shift rate options) and winter energy‑saving tips intended to lower bills and improve customer goodwill — a regulatory and PR positive that can ease political/regulatory friction. Duke Energy helps customers stay energy smart as temperatures plunge with programs and tips to save money and energy
• Positive Sentiment: Duke’s Florida unit said it will drop a storm cost recovery charge from customer bills one month early — customer relief that can improve public perception and reduce near‑term regulatory scrutiny. Duke Energy unit to drop storm recovery charge from customer bills a month early
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive succession: Duke announced the retirement of its EVP/chief generation officer after a long tenure — operationally notable but not an immediate earnings driver. Duke Energy announces leadership changes in its generation and operational excellence organization
• Neutral Sentiment: Local/industry guidance and media coverage about cold‑weather customer tips (Piedmont Natural Gas) and day‑to‑day trading headlines are background noise for Duke rather than direct drivers. Piedmont Natural Gas shares tips to help lower energy costs before upcoming cold weather
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts trimmed price targets: BMO cut its target (to $130, still an outperform) and Jefferies trimmed its target to $125 (hold). Downward target moves can pressure sentiment even if ratings remain constructive. BMO Capital adjusts Duke Energy price target to $130 from $136; maintains outperform rating Jefferies adjusts price target on Duke Energy to $125 from $126; maintains hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts expect a modest Q4 earnings decline (single‑digit drop projected), which could cap upside until results are reported next month. Here’s What to Expect From Duke Energy’s Next Earnings Report
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/community risk: reporting highlights controversy around a proposed large natural‑gas plant site in Davidson County — potential permitting delays, opposition and litigation risk. Duke Energy Plans to Build a Massive Natural Gas Power Plant in Davidson County. But Where, Exactly?
• Negative Sentiment: New or rising bill charges: coverage about storm‑related charges and reports that some customers will see higher bills to fund grid upgrades create political/regulatory risk and could hurt customer sentiment. New storm charge on Duke Energy bills to fund grid upgrades
• Negative Sentiment: Investor comparison pieces favoring nuclear peers (e.g., Cameco) as a better dividend play could divert income‑focused buyers away from Duke. Better Nuclear Income Play for 2026: Cameco vs. Duke Energy

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of DUK opened at $119.24 on Monday. Duke Energy has a 1-year low of $108.45 and a 1-year high of $130.03. The stock has a market cap of $92.73 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $118.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $121.40.

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

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dorato Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 53.7% in the second quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 249 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.