Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Stock: Insider Bonnie Titone Sells 2,900 Shares

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) EVP Bonnie Titone sold 2,900 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.00, for a total value of $371,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 26,111 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,342,208. This represents a 10.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

NYSE DUK opened at $129.61 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.46, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.33. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $119.53 and a 200 day moving average of $124.41. 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 $112.40 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 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 13th will be paid a $1.0850 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 13th. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.17%.

Duke Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts point to rising data-center demand, higher electricity sales and grid investments as factors that could support Duke Energy’s Q3 earnings. DUK was also included among utilities considered well-positioned to beat estimates this reporting season. Article: Duke Energy to Post Q3 Earnings: Here’s What You Need to Know
• Neutral Sentiment: The Florida Public Service Commission approved lower electricity rates for Duke Energy Florida customers in 2027. This is favorable for customers, but the reports do not establish the effect on Duke’s earnings. Article: Duke Energy Florida customers to see lower rates in 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: EVP Bonnie Titone sold 2,900 shares worth about $371,200 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan and retained 26,111 shares, making the transaction a limited insider signal. Article: Duke Energy EVP Sells Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Storm-related expenses could weigh on Q3 margins, tempering the potential benefits of stronger demand and investment activity. Article: Duke Energy Q3 earnings preview

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on DUK. Mizuho set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. KeyCorp reduced their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $139.00 to $128.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $146.00 to $131.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $135.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 12th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $132.19.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DUK. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the first quarter worth about $36,000. Livelsberger Financial Advisory acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 154.6% in the first quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 275 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy Corporation is an energy holding company that provides regulated electric and natural gas utility services in the United States. Its electric utilities generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers. The company’s generation portfolio includes nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and renewable energy resources.

Duke Energy serves customers primarily in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.