Dean Investment Associates LLC Decreases Holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Dean Investment Associates LLC lowered its position in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) by 30.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 61,877 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 26,889 shares during the period. Duke Energy comprises approximately 1.0% of Dean Investment Associates LLC's holdings, making the stock its 15th largest position. Dean Investment Associates LLC's holdings in Duke Energy were worth $7,134,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DUK. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sachetta LLC grew its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 41.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 325 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 100.0% during the third quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 334 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company's stock.

Duke Energy Trading Down 1.7 %

Duke Energy stock traded down $1.91 during trading on Friday, hitting $112.10. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,808,968 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,039,885. The stock's fifty day moving average is $114.93 and its 200 day moving average is $110.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.70. Duke Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $90.09 and a 1-year high of $121.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.47.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.34% and a net margin of 14.31%. The company had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.94 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.95 EPS for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 15th will be issued a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. Duke Energy's payout ratio is currently 76.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Duke Energy from $104.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $102.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $111.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Duke Energy from $122.00 to $118.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Duke Energy from $102.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $121.69.

Duke Energy Company 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.