Diversify Wealth Management LLC Has $1.44 Million Stock Holdings in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 173.3% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 11,395 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,225 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $1,442,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in DUK. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Duke Energy by 11.6% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,754 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $728,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 19.6% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 23,162 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,825,000 after purchasing an additional 3,797 shares in the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 31,238 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,686,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. AXA S.A. raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 523.4% in the second quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 42,233 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,983,000 after purchasing an additional 35,458 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $954,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy

In related news, CEO Harry K. Sideris sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $11,952,205.74. This represents a 17.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.15, for a total transaction of $438,025.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 21,415 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,680,087.25. This trade represents a 14.05% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy declared a quarterly dividend of $1.085 per share, up $0.02, reinforcing its appeal as a income-focused utility stock. Duke Energy announces dividend payments to shareholders
• Positive Sentiment: Reports that Duke Energy and North Carolina officials reached a settlement over proposed rate hikes could reduce regulatory uncertainty and support future earnings. Duke Energy, state officials reach settlement in NC electric rate hike case
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s push toward nuclear power as offshore wind becomes less attractive may be viewed as a long-term strategic move to meet rising power demand from data centers and industrial customers. Duke Energy (DUK) Is Betting On Nuclear As Offshore Wind Loses Favor
• Neutral Sentiment: Clearwater is considering a 30-year agreement with Duke Energy to maintain the local power grid, which signals ongoing infrastructure relationships but does not appear to be a near-term earnings catalyst. Clearwater set to vote on 30-year agreement to maintain Duke Energy power grid
• Negative Sentiment: Media reports that vulnerable customers may lose monthly bill credits and that utility companies sought record rate increases could keep public and regulatory scrutiny on Duke Energy’s pricing practices. Vulnerable Duke Energy customers set to lose monthly bill credit many don’t know they receive Utilities sought record rate increases this spring as Duke’s request remains before NC regulators

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Duke Energy from $135.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Duke Energy from $139.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Duke Energy from $137.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $139.00 to $135.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $142.00 to $137.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $138.33.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DUK opened at $126.48 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $98.60 billion, a PE ratio of 19.37 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $124.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $125.31. 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 results on Monday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $9.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.44 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 15.49%.Duke Energy’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.76 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.71 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th were given a dividend of $1.065 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 15th. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.24%.

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.