QRG Capital Management Inc. Lowers Position in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

QRG Capital Management Inc. lessened its position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 33.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 143,916 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 71,377 shares during the quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $17,810,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Duke Energy by 11,417.7% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 17,668,789 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,084,917,000 after purchasing an additional 17,515,383 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Duke Energy by 1.5% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 75,716,783 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $8,934,580,000 after buying an additional 1,154,783 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 448.9% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 826,296 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $102,254,000 after acquiring an additional 675,768 shares in the last quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp increased its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 64.4% during the second quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 1,472,321 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $173,734,000 after acquiring an additional 576,674 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 21.1% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,726,823 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $321,765,000 after buying an additional 474,325 shares during the last quarter. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Duke Energy

In other news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,407,234.60. The trade was a 41.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $127.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Duke Energy from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $136.00 to $130.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $126.00 target price on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $135.56.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DUK opened at $119.24 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $92.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.50. Duke Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $108.45 and a 1-year high of $130.03. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $118.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $121.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.40.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.76% and a return on equity of 9.98%. Duke Energy’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.62 EPS. Research analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.065 per share. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Duke Energy’s payout ratio is presently 66.98%.

Duke Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Duke unveiled a major battery-storage project at a former coal plant — a $100M conversion that supports capacity, grid reliability and decarbonization goals, which investors tend to view positively for longer‑term growth and regulatory alignment. Duke Energy turns former coal plant into $100 million battery storage space
• Positive Sentiment: Duke rolled out customer programs (smart‑thermostat credits, demand‑shift rate options) and winter energy‑saving tips intended to lower bills and improve customer goodwill — a regulatory and PR positive that can ease political/regulatory friction. Duke Energy helps customers stay energy smart as temperatures plunge with programs and tips to save money and energy
• Positive Sentiment: Duke’s Florida unit said it will drop a storm cost recovery charge from customer bills one month early — customer relief that can improve public perception and reduce near‑term regulatory scrutiny. Duke Energy unit to drop storm recovery charge from customer bills a month early
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive succession: Duke announced the retirement of its EVP/chief generation officer after a long tenure — operationally notable but not an immediate earnings driver. Duke Energy announces leadership changes in its generation and operational excellence organization
• Neutral Sentiment: Local/industry guidance and media coverage about cold‑weather customer tips (Piedmont Natural Gas) and day‑to‑day trading headlines are background noise for Duke rather than direct drivers. Piedmont Natural Gas shares tips to help lower energy costs before upcoming cold weather
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts trimmed price targets: BMO cut its target (to $130, still an outperform) and Jefferies trimmed its target to $125 (hold). Downward target moves can pressure sentiment even if ratings remain constructive. BMO Capital adjusts Duke Energy price target to $130 from $136; maintains outperform rating Jefferies adjusts price target on Duke Energy to $125 from $126; maintains hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts expect a modest Q4 earnings decline (single‑digit drop projected), which could cap upside until results are reported next month. Here’s What to Expect From Duke Energy’s Next Earnings Report
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/community risk: reporting highlights controversy around a proposed large natural‑gas plant site in Davidson County — potential permitting delays, opposition and litigation risk. Duke Energy Plans to Build a Massive Natural Gas Power Plant in Davidson County. But Where, Exactly?
• Negative Sentiment: New or rising bill charges: coverage about storm‑related charges and reports that some customers will see higher bills to fund grid upgrades create political/regulatory risk and could hurt customer sentiment. New storm charge on Duke Energy bills to fund grid upgrades
• Negative Sentiment: Investor comparison pieces favoring nuclear peers (e.g., Cameco) as a better dividend play could divert income‑focused buyers away from Duke. Better Nuclear Income Play for 2026: Cameco vs. Duke Energy

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.