Macquarie Group Ltd. Sells 5,729,557 Shares of Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Macquarie Group Ltd. trimmed its holdings in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 91.4% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 537,305 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 5,729,557 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd.’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $62,978,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its position in Duke Energy by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 81,929 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $10,139,000 after buying an additional 11,817 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. boosted its position in Duke Energy by 28.2% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 107,894 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $13,352,000 after buying an additional 23,736 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors boosted its position in Duke Energy by 62.7% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 42,680 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,003,000 after buying an additional 16,450 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in Duke Energy by 7.2% during the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 206,891 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $25,603,000 after buying an additional 13,882 shares during the period. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Duke Energy by 22.7% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 132,530 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $15,534,000 after buying an additional 24,497 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Duke Energy Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE DUK opened at $124.91 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $113.66 and a 12 month high of $134.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $97.38 billion, a PE ratio of 19.13 and a beta of 0.39. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $126.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $124.01.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.06. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.49% and a return on equity of 9.73%. The business had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.44 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.76 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $1.065 dividend. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.24%.

Duke Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and market commentary are highlighting Duke Energy as a defensive, low-volatility utility pick as inflation jumps and oil prices surge, which can draw investors toward stable dividend names like DUK. 3 Low-Beta Utility Stocks to Buy as Inflation Jumps to Three-Year High
• Positive Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece argues Duke Energy could keep rising, reinforcing bullish sentiment around the company’s earnings outlook, utility stability, and rate-driven growth profile. Duke Energy: Why This Utility Could Keep Rising
• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy received up to $96 million in federal coal plant grants, which could help offset refurbishment costs and support grid reliability without passing as much expense to customers. How Investors Are Reacting To Duke Energy (DUK) Winning US$96 Million In Federal Coal Plant Grants
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage coverage remains constructive, with Duke Energy carrying an average “Moderate Buy” recommendation. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Analyst Ratings Changes

DUK has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Duke Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 28th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $139.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $141.00 to $132.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $138.93.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.15, for a total value of $438,025.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 21,415 shares in the company, valued at $2,680,087.25. This trade represents a 14.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Harry K. Sideris sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.37, for a total transaction of $2,487,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 96,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,952,205.74. The trade was a 17.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.12% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Duke Energy 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.