Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Sets New 12-Month High - Here's What Happened

Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $122.39 and last traded at $121.00, with a volume of 573513 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $119.41.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DUK has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Duke Energy from $114.00 to $121.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their price target on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $123.87.

Duke Energy Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $115.86 and a 200-day moving average of $113.80. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $96.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.48.

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Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, beating 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, sell-side 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 was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 14th. Duke Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.20%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Duke Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 123.4% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,453 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 1,355 shares in the last quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 9,573 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,168,000 after acquiring an additional 1,505 shares during the last quarter. Beacon Wealthcare LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $225,000. Centre Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Centre Asset Management LLC now owns 5,908 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $721,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co of the South raised its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co of the South now owns 10,190 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,243,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.31% of the company's stock.

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.