Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) Reaches New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $121.46 and last traded at $121.14, with a volume of 1355755 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $120.12.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Duke Energy from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Scotiabank upped 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 report on Thursday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of 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, Guggenheim increased their price target on Duke Energy from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.93.

Duke Energy Stock Up 0.8 %

The company has a market cap of $94.06 billion, a PE ratio of 21.23, 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. The company’s 50 day moving average is $112.86 and its 200 day moving average is $113.46.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The utilities provider reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.05. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.50% and a net margin of 14.90%. As a group, analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. Duke Energy’s payout ratio is 73.20%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Groupama Asset Managment purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,537,000. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the fourth quarter worth $163,819,000. Zimmer Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the third quarter valued at $166,263,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in Duke Energy by 155.1% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,873,321 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $201,832,000 after acquiring an additional 1,138,979 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Wealth Planning LLC lifted its position in Duke Energy by 116.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC now owns 2,065,344 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $222,520,000 after acquiring an additional 1,111,581 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the company’s stock.

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.