Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Boosts Stock Position in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 11.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 665,748 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 67,885 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $84,270,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of DUK. Basso Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 1,111.1% in the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management grew its position in Duke Energy by 68.6% during the 4th quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 231 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 300.0% during the 4th quarter. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC now owns 280 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

NYSE DUK opened at $124.51 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $97.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $125.77 and a 200 day moving average of $126.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. Duke Energy Corporation has a twelve month low of $113.89 and a twelve month high of $134.49.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $7.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.66 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 15.78%.Duke Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.25 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $1.085 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. This is an increase from Duke Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 63.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on DUK. KeyCorp upgraded Duke Energy from a “sector weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $139.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Duke Energy from $136.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $134.00 to $132.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $140.00 to $132.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Duke Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $138.44.

Duke Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy restored approximately 223,000 outages in Greater Cincinnati—about 85% of the total—within 48 hours. Crews expect to restore nearly all remaining customers, reducing operational and reputational concerns from the storm damage. Duke Energy restores 85% of Greater Cincinnati outages
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s North Carolina rate case remains a potential earnings support. Duke has reduced its proposed increase as regulators consider a settlement, which could still provide additional revenue and recovery of infrastructure costs if approved. Duke Energy cuts proposed rate hike
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke Energy completed the sale of 40 million equity units. The financing provides capital for investment and financial needs, but the equity-linked structure may increase the company’s share count and could pressure per-share value. Duke Energy completes major equity units financing offering
• Neutral Sentiment: Emergency grants and continued restoration efforts in Ohio and Kentucky demonstrate community support following widespread storm damage, although the associated response and repair costs could affect near-term results. Duke Energy Foundation awards emergency grants
• Negative Sentiment: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson rejected a proposed settlement involving a 6.8% residential rate increase, creating uncertainty over the timing and size of any approved rate relief. Consumer advocates are also challenging Duke’s requests by citing the company’s profitability. Attorney general rejects Duke Energy settlement
• Negative Sentiment: The severe Cincinnati-area storms left more than 180,000 customers without power at the peak, highlighting potential repair expenses and weather-related execution risks for Duke Energy. Duke Energy customers remain without power

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.