Natixis Advisors LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 709,944 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 24,269 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.09% of Duke Energy worth $76,489,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DUK. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 1,500.0% in the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 288 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CGC Financial Services LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 242 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of Duke Energy stock traded up $0.86 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $120.17. 4,343,901 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,735,811. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $113.66 and a 200 day moving average of $113.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $93.37 billion, a PE ratio of 21.05, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $92.75 and a fifty-two week high of $121.46.

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Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a dividend of $1.045 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 14th. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.48%. Duke Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 73.20%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Duke Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $123.64.

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.