Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to “Sell”

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Saturday morning,Wall Street Zen reports.

Several other brokerages have also commented on DUK. HSBC started coverage on Duke Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $123.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $121.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Mizuho set a $136.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $132.19.

Duke Energy Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:DUK opened at $127.91 on Friday. Duke Energy has a 52-week low of $112.40 and a 52-week high of $134.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.33. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $119.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $124.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.68.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.13. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.82% and a net margin of 15.94%. The company had revenue of $9.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.91 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.81 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Duke Energy will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The company 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 is Friday, November 13th. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. Duke Energy’s payout ratio is presently 65.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Bonnie Titone sold 2,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.00, for a total transaction of $371,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly 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 document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cornerstone Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 3.9% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 6,689 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $763,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the last quarter. Hamel Associates Inc. raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Hamel Associates Inc. now owns 33,239 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,790,000 after acquiring an additional 1,228 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 295,098 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $33,644,000 after acquiring an additional 4,756 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 18.7% in the 3rd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 12,505 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,426,000 after acquiring an additional 1,970 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp lifted its position in Duke Energy by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 62,523 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $7,128,000 after acquiring an additional 3,223 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings were $1.99 per share, ahead of estimates, while revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $9.1 billion. Duke also lifted the lower end of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance, to a range of $6.70–$6.80. Article: Duke 3Q Net Up, Boosts Lower End of 2026 Adjusted EPS View
• Positive Sentiment: Data-center demand and population growth are supporting the outlook. Duke says its large-load pipeline is about 15.4 GW and is maintaining a growth strategy backed by a $103 billion capital plan. Article: Duke Energy to stay course on data center-fueled growth plan
• Neutral Sentiment: Duke Energy Florida received approval for lower 2027 rates after using a tax approach that avoided a planned base-rate increase. Lower bills may benefit customers, while potentially limiting revenue growth. Article: Florida PSC approved request by Duke Energy Florida to reduce rates
• Negative Sentiment: The scale of the capital plan and the need for regulatory approvals create execution and financing risks. A proposed gas facility in Davidson County is also drawing community opposition, adding potential local permitting challenges. Article: Davidson County commissioners to vote on controversial Duke Energy gas facility

Duke Energy Company Profile

Duke Energy is a U.S. energy company focused primarily on regulated electric utilities and natural gas distribution. Its businesses generate, transmit and distribute electricity, and provide natural gas service to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

The company serves electric customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its natural gas distribution operations serve customers in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Duke Energy’s power generation portfolio includes nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and renewable resources.