Continuum Advisory LLC Increases Holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK)

Continuum Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK – Get Rating) by 18.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,386 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,456 shares during the period. Continuum Advisory LLC’s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $967,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. WJ Interests LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. 63.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Duke Energy Stock Down 1.0 %

NYSE:DUK traded down $0.87 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $88.02. 758,714 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,917,657. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $96.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $98.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Duke Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $83.76 and a fifty-two week high of $114.50. The firm has a market cap of $67.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.35, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.43.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK – Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.40 by ($0.20). Duke Energy had a net margin of 8.89% and a return on equity of 8.39%. The company had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.005 per share. This represents a $4.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 11th. Duke Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 123.69%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

DUK has been the subject of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Duke Energy from $111.00 to $103.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 10th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Duke Energy from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, March 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Duke Energy in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a “hold” rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Duke Energy from $116.00 to $112.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Duke Energy from $99.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $105.60.

Duke Energy Profile

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Duke Energy Corp. engages in the distribution of natural gas and energy related services. It operates through the following segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities & Infrastructure and Commercial Renewables. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure segment conducts operations in regulated electric utilities in the Carolinas, Florida and the Midwest.