DailyIQ
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Sector:UtilitiesAll sectors
Last updated 32 minutes ago

DUK·Duke Energy Corporation

$.
+. (+.%)
High
$127.73
Open
$127.18
Market Cap
98.73B
52W High
$134.49
Low
$126.20
P. Close
$126.86
P/E
19.21
52W Low
$113.90
Fwd P/E
17.70
DailyIQ Est.
$139.10
Technical Score (1D)
64
BUY
News Sentiment
78
BULLISH
Duke Energy closed higher, outperforming the S&P 500 and utilities sector, signaling renewed investor confidence ahead of its earnings release on August 4 2026. Analysts project a 4 % year‑over‑year rise in quarterly earnings to $1.30 per share and revenue of $7.7 billion, which could lift the stock if estimates are revised upward. The company’s fiscal‑year consensus of $6.71 EPS and $33.66 billion revenue sets a benchmark that traders will compare against the upcoming guidance. The strong performance of Duke Energy is anchored by its role in North Carolina, which topped CNBC’s 2026 state‑economy ranking and is expected to drive continued demand for reliable power. North Carolina’s Aaa credit rating and population growth reinforce the utility’s defensive, cash‑generative profile, suggesting resilience to broader market volatility. Analysts note that the state budget approval could influence utility earnings, so any delays or policy shifts should be monitored in the coming weeks. Zacks.com’s inclusion of Duke Energy in its Screen of the Week highlights growing analyst attention, though no new guidance has been released to act on. Traders should watch the August 4 earnings call for any upward revisions to revenue or EPS, as well as any commentary on regulatory developments in North Carolina that could affect future cash flows.
Earnings Summary
Company Context: Duke Energy Corporation is a diversified energy provider operating primarily within the United States, serving roughly 8.6 million electric customers and 1.7 million gas customers through a mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable resources. As a regulated electric utility, it operates in a stable, low‑growth sector that relies heavily on long‑term rate‑setting and capital investment. Recent Quarterly Performance: In the most recent four quarters, Duke Energy has consistently outperformed earnings estimates, with EPS beats in five of six periods and a single miss in Q4 2025 when EPS fell short of the $1.72 estimate. Revenue has fluctuated, rising from $7.36 billion in Q4 2024 to $8.25 billion in Q1 2025 (+12.5 %), falling to $7.51 billion in Q2 2025 (‑9.4 %), rebounding to $8.54 billion in Q3 2025 (+13.8 %), and declining again to $7.94 billion in Q4 2025 (‑7.9 %). The latest Q1 2026 revenue of $9.18 billion represents a 15.5 % increase over Q4 2025, indicating a strong rebound. The pattern shows EPS growth even when revenue dips, except for the Q4 2025 miss where both metrics lagged. Historical Streak Analysis: Over the past year, Duke Energy has maintained a YoY revenue growth trajectory that has accelerated from the mid‑single digits to a 15 % jump in Q1 2026, while EPS has grown consistently, with the company beating estimates in five of six quarters. The only notable miss was Q4 2025, suggesting a temporary slowdown that has since been corrected. Recent News Context: The U.S. Department of Energy grant of up to $61.8 million for coal‑plant reliability projects is a material catalyst that could reduce capital‑expenditure needs and lift operating margins. Analysts have trimmed price targets to $134–$135, reflecting a cautious view amid sector‑wide risk‑off sentiment, yet the company’s dividend yield and data‑center growth remain attractive. Forward‑Looking Watch Points: Investors should watch the next earnings release for guidance on how the DOE grant translates into capital‑expenditure savings and any regulatory updates on renewable mandates that could affect cost structure. Monitoring the implementation timeline of the grant and any adjustments to the capital allocation plan will be key to assessing future margin improvement.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$1.06$1.31$1.55$1.80$2.04Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$1.25 - -
Q1'26$1.25$1.93+54.7%
Q4'25$1.72$1.50-12.6%
Q3'25$1.75$1.81+3.5%
Q2'25$1.17$1.25+6.4%
Q1'25$1.59$1.76+10.8%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$7.3B$7.8B$8.3B$8.9B$9.4BQ1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q2'26$7.7B - -
Q1'26$7.5B$9.2B+21.9%
Q4'25$8.3B$7.9B-4.8%
Q3'25 - $8.5B -
Q2'25 - $7.5B -
Q1'25 - $8.2B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
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Market Data

DUK Stock Snapshot

DUK is currently trading at $127.42, giving Duke Energy Corporation a market cap of 98.73B and a P/E ratio of 19.2. Today's range spans $126.20–$127.73, with shares opening at $127.18 and moving up $0.56 (0.4%) from the prior close. DailyIQ's technical score sits at 64/100 (HOLD) with a news sentiment reading of 78/100.

Over the past year DUK has traded between $113.90 and $134.49 - the current price is +11.9% off the 52-week low and -5.3% from the high. 29 analysts cover the stock with a Hold consensus and a mean 12-month target of $138.56 (range $131.00–$146.00), implying upside of +8.7%.

For fundamental investors, DUK's neutral technical phase (64/100, HOLD) is an opportunity to assess valuation without the noise of trending price action. At 98.73B in Utilities market cap The current P/E ratio stands at 19.2., bullish sentiment (78/100) and a price of $127.42 (in the middle of its 52-week range) describe a stock where the primary value driver is fundamental rather than momentum. Annual range: $113.90–$134.49.

The 52-week range of $113.90–$134.49 for DUK provides the structural reference that options traders, systematic funds, and discretionary managers all anchor to — and at $127.42 (in the middle of its 52-week range), the stock sits in a zone where the next 5–10% move will likely define which crowd was right. A HOLD signal at 64/100 and bullish news backdrop (78/100) don't break the tie yet, but they narrow the probability distribution toward the upside.