Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Reaches New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $122.39 and last traded at $121.00, with a volume of 573513 shares. The stock had previously closed at $119.41.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on DUK. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $113.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley lifted 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 note on Thursday, March 20th. 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 research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $123.87.

Duke Energy Trading Up 2.3 %

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $115.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $113.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.90 billion, a PE ratio of 21.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.05. Duke Energy had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 9.50%. Analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th were issued a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.42%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 73.20%.

Institutional Trading of Duke Energy

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Mattson Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, WealthTrak Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.