Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Sets New 1-Year Low After Analyst Downgrade

Posted by Brenda Bartman on Oct 2nd, 2026

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK – Get Free Report)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday after Scotiabank lowered their price target on the stock from $146.00 to $131.00. The stock traded as low as $112.40 and last traded at $114.1250, with a volume of 5166061 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $113.41.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $133.00 to $127.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 18th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Duke Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, September 19th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Duke Energy from $138.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 17th. Barclays lowered their target price on Duke Energy from $140.00 to $132.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $136.62.

View Our Latest Stock Report on DUK

Duke Energy News Roundup

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

Positive Sentiment: Duke Energy declared its quarterly dividend. The company will pay shareholders $1.085 per common share on Dec. 16, 2026, to investors of record on Nov. 13. The continued payout supports Duke Energy’s appeal to income-oriented investors. Duke Energy announces dividend payments to shareholders
Positive Sentiment: Data-center demand remains a potential growth catalyst. Duke Energy is pursuing large data-center contracts, which could increase electricity demand and support investment in new generation, though the spending required is substantial. Southern or Duke: Which Utility Dividend Holds Up Against the Data Center Buildout
Neutral Sentiment: Economic-development initiatives continue in Duke Energy’s service areas. The company selected industrial sites in three Indiana counties for its 2026 program and awarded $326,500 to 27 organizations supporting workforce development and business growth in Florida. These efforts may strengthen regional demand over time but are unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Duke Energy selects industrial sites for 2026 economic development program Duke Energy grants $326,500 to boost Florida’s economy
Negative Sentiment: Scotiabank lowered its price target to $131 from $146. Although the revised target still implies roughly 14.7% potential upside from the referenced price, the downgrade signals reduced near-term expectations and may pressure investor sentiment. Duke Energy price target update
Negative Sentiment: Duke Energy reached a new 12-month low. The stock is also below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating continued technical weakness. Investors are balancing the attractive dividend against capital requirements for new generation and data-center growth. Duke Energy hits new 12-month low

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Basso Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 1,111.1% during the 4th quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Evergreen Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Duke Energy by 154.6% in the first quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 275 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $120.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $124.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $88.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.36.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $7.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.66 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.78% and a return on equity of 9.78%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.25 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th were issued a $1.0850 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. This is a positive change from Duke Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.0650. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 65.17%.

About Duke Energy

(Get Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE: DUK) is an energy holding company that operates regulated electric and natural gas utilities in the United States. Its electric utilities generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers.

The company serves customers across the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy also operates natural gas utilities and related infrastructure in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.