Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Decreases Holdings in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA reduced its stake in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 1.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 16,869,572 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 305,238 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 2.17% of Duke Energy worth $2,087,610,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Duke Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 53.7% during the 2nd quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 249 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 2,284.6% during the second quarter. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Duke Energy by 2,608.3% during the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 325 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Duke Energy stock opened at $119.24 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $92.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.75, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $118.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.37. Duke Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $108.45 and a 52 week high of $130.03.

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

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Key Stories Impacting Duke Energy

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on DUK shares. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $135.00 to $126.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Cowen started coverage on Duke Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Duke Energy from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI started coverage on Duke Energy in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $143.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised Duke Energy to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.56.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.