Royal Fund Management LLC Lowers Stake in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Royal Fund Management LLC cut its stake in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,017 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 5,691 shares during the period. Royal Fund Management LLC’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,345,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DUK. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings 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 in the last quarter. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Duke Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 2,284.6% during the second quarter. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC now owns 310 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In other news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total transaction of $1,015,160.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares of the company’s stock, 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 SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the company’s stock.

More Duke Energy News

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 Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:DUK opened at $119.24 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $118.94 and its 200 day moving average is $121.40. The company has a market cap of $92.73 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.50. 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 Corporation has a 1 year low of $108.45 and a 1 year high of $130.03.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 15.76%.The business’s revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.62 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current 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 issued a $1.065 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 66.98%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on DUK shares. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Duke Energy to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Duke Energy from $136.00 to $126.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Barclays dropped their target price on Duke Energy from $135.00 to $127.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, TD Cowen assumed coverage on Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $143.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $135.56.

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.