Virtu Financial LLC Takes $2.01 Million Position in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 17,455 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,012,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the third quarter worth $29,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Sachetta LLC lifted its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 41.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 325 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake 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 period. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Duke Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSE DUK traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $108.81. 5,141,156 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,064,908. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $114.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $110.75. Duke Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $90.09 and a 52-week high of $121.25. The firm has a market cap of $84.05 billion, a PE ratio of 20.00, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.47.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $8.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.06 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.34% and a net margin of 14.31%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.94 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.045 per share. This represents a $4.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.84%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. Duke Energy's payout ratio is 76.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America upped their price target on Duke Energy from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. KeyCorp downgraded shares of Duke Energy from an "overweight" rating to a "sector weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut 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. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $122.23.

About Duke Energy

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.