Cullinan Associates Inc. Purchases 5,489 Shares of Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Cullinan Associates Inc. increased its position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 22.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 29,648 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 5,489 shares during the period. Cullinan Associates Inc.’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,258,757 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $9,172,709,000 after buying an additional 1,957,592 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,758,700 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $960,139,000 after buying an additional 31,703 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,281,986 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $901,146,000 after buying an additional 288,499 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 5,033,225 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $622,862,000 after buying an additional 12,758 shares during the period. Finally, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 19.1% in the 3rd quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 2,613,595 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $323,432,000 after buying an additional 419,992 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy Stock Up 2.6%

Shares of NYSE DUK opened at $129.79 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $129.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $124.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $100.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.54 and a beta of 0.46. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $111.22 and a 12-month high of $134.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last issued its quarterly 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. The company 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 prior year, the firm posted $1.66 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DUK has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $141.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Capitol Sec Mgt cut shares of Duke Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Evercore reiterated an “in-line” rating and issued a $139.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Truist Financial started coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, April 20th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $142.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.25.

Trending Headlines about Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: South Carolina regulator approved a settlement for combining Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress that projects billions in long‑term customer savings and includes shareholder guarantees — lowers merger/regulatory execution risk and frames future rate outcomes more predictably. South Carolina customers projected to benefit from billions in long-term savings from approved combination of Duke Energy utilities
• Positive Sentiment: The NRC renewed the operating license for Duke’s H.B. Robinson nuclear plant for 20 years (through 2050), supporting long‑lived regulated generation assets and removing near‑term replacement power risk. NRC Renews License for Duke Energy (DUK)’s Robinson Nuclear Plant
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst previews and coverage suggest Duke is likely to beat Q1 earnings estimates, supported by rate base growth and grid investments — this helps explain investor optimism around short‑term EPS upside. DUK Likely to Beat Q1 Earnings Estimates: How to Play the Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke is engaging communities on future powerline plans (open houses) and making small philanthropic grants for SC green spaces — helpful for local relations but limited direct financial impact. Duke Energy hosts open house for future powerline plans Duke Energy Foundation awards $275,000 for SC green spaces
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector/peer previews (AEP, Atmos, NiSource, XLU ETF coverage) provide context for utilities fund flows and relative valuation but don’t directly change Duke’s fundamentals. American Electric Power to Release Q1 Earnings: What’s in the Cards?
• Negative Sentiment: Customer rallies and media coverage opposing a proposed rate hike (reports of potential increases up to ~18%) create political and PR headwinds that could complicate rate proceedings and timing of approved increases. Resident in Charlotte rally against Duke Energy rate hike that could reach up to 18% Corporate greed or justified costs? Duke Energy customers rally against proposed rate hike
• Negative Sentiment: Duke is monitoring extreme drought conditions that could force mandatory water restrictions and create operational challenges or higher costs for certain generation assets. Duke Energy continues to monitor extreme drought conditions, mandatory water restrictions possible

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total transaction of $868,156.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,809,633.69. This represents a 23.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total transaction of $123,001.32. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 3,896 shares in the company, valued at $498,142.56. The trade was a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

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.