Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB Lowers Holdings in Duke Energy Corporation $DUK

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB reduced its stake in shares of Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,304 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 3,852 shares during the quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,255,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC increased its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 3,441 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $426,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 4,840 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $599,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in shares of Duke Energy by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 451,582 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $55,883,000 after acquiring an additional 13,800 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 55,956 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $6,925,000 after purchasing an additional 1,656 shares during the period. Finally, Aspire Private Capital LLC boosted its position in Duke Energy by 3.9% during the third quarter. Aspire Private Capital LLC now owns 25,211 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,120,000 after purchasing an additional 942 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DUK opened at $130.77 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.69 and a beta of 0.50. Duke Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $111.22 and a 52 week high of $134.49. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $124.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $122.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $7.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.57 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.41% and a return on equity of 9.66%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.66 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th were issued a $1.065 dividend. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 67.41%.

Insider Activity

In other Duke Energy news, CEO Louis E. Renjel sold 6,800 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.67, for a total value of $868,156.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,007 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,809,633.69. The trade was a 23.61% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Regis T. Repko sold 962 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.86, for a total transaction of $123,001.32. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 3,896 shares in the company, valued at $498,142.56. This represents a 19.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Duke Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory rate moves that raise allowed revenue — Ohio customers are expected to see two rate increases before summer, which would boost near‑term utility revenue and cash flow for Duke. Duke Energy Ohio Rates Expected to Rise Twice Before Summer
• Positive Sentiment: Clean‑energy growth: Duke placed the 10 MW Ebbie Solar project in service in South Carolina and its Green Source Advantage / Renewable Choice programs have exceeded early enrollment targets — supporting long‑term growth and demand from large customers. Duke Energy helps customers in South Carolina advance sustainability goals through expanded clean energy initiatives
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst/investor endorsement narratives: Several pieces (Zacks, Yahoo syndicates) highlight Duke’s dividend yield, steady regulated cash flows and large infrastructure/renewables investment plan, which supports long‑term investor demand. Here’s Why You Should Add Duke Energy Stock to Your Portfolio Now
• Neutral Sentiment: Debt / capital markets activity: Duke plans to raise $1B via convertible senior notes due 2029 (private placement). This provides liquidity for capex but introduces conversion/dilution considerations investors will model. Duke Energy (DUK) to Raise $1B Through Convertible Senior Notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Attention metrics: Zacks notes elevated investor searching on DUK — increased interest can amplify moves but is directionally neutral absent a catalyst. Investors Heavily Search Duke Energy Corporation (DUK): Here is What You Need to Know
• Negative Sentiment: Consumer backlash and regulatory scrutiny: Petitions and calls for an independent audit of Duke’s rates followed widespread reports of very high winter bills, raising regulatory and reputational risk that could slow approvals or invite penalties. Raleigh mom spearheads petition for audit for Duke Energy
• Negative Sentiment: Wider public pressure in North Carolina: Thousands have called for an independent audit after high bills and public comment is active around Duke’s future plans — regulators may face political pressure. Thousands in NC call for independent audit of Duke Energy
• Negative Sentiment: Operational issues & storm impacts: Recent storms caused localized outages and emergency response mobilization — operational disruptions and repair costs can pressure near‑term margins and customer goodwill. Thousands without power across Wake County

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on DUK. Mizuho set a $130.00 target price on Duke Energy in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $143.00 to $140.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $137.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $136.00 price objective on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $137.80.

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.