Royal Fund Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Royal Fund Management LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 23.3% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 33,304 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,287 shares during the quarter. Royal Fund Management LLC’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,908,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Bare Financial Services Inc raised its position in Duke Energy by 211.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 280 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DUK opened at $131.74 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $126.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $123.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.55. Duke Energy Corporation has a one year low of $111.22 and a one year high of $134.49. The firm has a market cap of $102.51 billion, a PE ratio of 20.84 and a beta of 0.50.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $7.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.57 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.66% and a net margin of 15.41%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.66 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th were given a dividend of $1.065 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $4.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 67.41%.

Key Headlines Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: State approval for a new $2.5 billion natural‑gas power plant in South Carolina expands Duke’s regulated asset base and future rate‑base earning potential; this is a clear growth and rate‑recovery catalyst. Duke Energy wins approval for new $2.5B natural gas power plant in South Carolina
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst coverage and roundups continue to list Duke as a defensive, dividend‑paying utility to own in volatile markets (low beta, steady cash flow), supporting demand from income‑focused investors. 5 Defensive Stocks to Buy Amid Market’s Recent Bloodbath
• Positive Sentiment: Investor commentary (Seeking Alpha) highlights Duke’s regulated products as offering a low credit‑risk entry point, reinforcing the stock’s appeal to conservative investors. Duke Energy’s Products Give Us A Credit Risk-Free Opportunity Once Again
• Neutral Sentiment: Market summaries note Duke advanced while broader markets declined, reflecting sector‑specific flows into utilities rather than broad equity strength. Duke Energy (DUK) Advances While Market Declines
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage reiterates utilities’ defensive status amid wider market volatility, a structural narrative that can support multiple trading sessions of inflows. How to Play Defense in This Market: Embrace Utilities
• Negative Sentiment: Rate‑hike filings in North Carolina (potentially up to ~18% for some customers) and public hearings have triggered customer pushback and media scrutiny; sustained political or regulatory backlash could delay approvals or force concessions that weigh on near‑term returns. Duke Energy proposes rate hike in North Carolina; customers could see bills rise up to 18%
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple stories document rising customer complaints and public hearings over bills, increasing the risk of rate‑case pushback or negative publicity that could pressure regulators and the stock if outcomes are unfavorable. Duke Energy seeks rate hike as customers push back on rising bills

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total transaction of $868,156.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 22,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,809,633.69. This trade represents a 23.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total value of $123,001.32. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 3,896 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $498,142.56. The trade was a 19.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on DUK shares. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $141.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Friday, January 30th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Duke Energy from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Mizuho set a $130.00 price objective on Duke Energy in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Duke Energy from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, Evercore reissued an “in-line” rating and set a $139.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $137.80.

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.