First Business Financial Services Inc. Invests $384,000 in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

First Business Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 3,566 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $384,000.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. CGC Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in Duke Energy by 366.7% in the fourth quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 308 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 242 shares during the period. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 332.9% during the fourth quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 316 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of DUK traded up $1.94 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $116.78. 3,479,247 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,428,490. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market cap of $90.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.45, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $92.75 and a 52 week high of $121.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $111.81 and a 200-day moving average of $113.25.

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Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.05. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.50% and a net margin of 14.90%. On average, analysts forecast that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $1.045 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. Duke Energy's payout ratio is currently 73.20%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on DUK shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Duke Energy from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $119.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Duke Energy from $122.00 to $118.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Duke Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $122.57.

Duke Energy Profile

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.