KeyBanc Capital Markets has recently reduced Duke Energy Corp (DUK) stock to Sector Weight rating, as announced on October 22, 2024, according to Finviz. Earlier, on October 15, 2024, Mizuho had raised the stock from a Neutral to Outperform, setting a price target of $121 for DUK stock. Jefferies also initiated Buy rating with a price target of $138. Additionally, BofA Securities reduced Neutral rating on February 12, 2024, with a target price of $96. Evercore ISI analysts, in their report published on January 23, 2024, also raised rating and set a price target of $90 for Duke Energy Corp’s stock. Analyst ratings are significant because they provide insights into stock performance expectations, influencing investor decisions and market sentiment.
Duke Energy Corp (DUK) Stock Trading Recap
On Thursday, Duke Energy Corp (DUK) stock saw a decline, ending the day at $113.95 which represents a decrease of $-2.42 or -2.08% from the prior close of $116.37. The stock opened at $115.3 and touched a low of $112.88 during the day, reaching a high of $115.66. The volume of shares traded was 5.66 million exceeding the average volume of 3.19 million.
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DUK Stock Performance and Moving Averages
In recent trading, Duke Energy Corp (DUK) stock price has shown some volatility, fluctuating -0.50% over the last five trades and 6.64% over the past 30 trades. This represents a notable shift from earlier in the year. Over the last six months, the stock has risen by 0.20%, and it has gained 1.32% in the previous three months. Currently, DUK is trading at 1.40%, 3.32%, and 3.79% relative to its 20-Day, 50-Day, and 200-Day Simple Moving Averages, respectively.
As of the latest trading close, DUK, a Utilities sector stock, is trading -6.02% below its 52-week high but remains 26.48% above its 52-week low. The Average True Range (ATR) (14 days) of 2.01 highlights the stock’s average volatility, providing insight into how much the price typically fluctuates. This measure is crucial for understanding potential price swings and assessing overall market risk.
Duke Energy Corp’s Profitability and Valuation Ratios
Duke Energy Corp’s profitability metrics reveal financial health. The company currently boasts an operating margin of 25.38% and a profit margin of 14.19%, with a gross margin of 0.20%. The profit margin, also known as the revenue ratio or gross profit ratio, measures how efficiently a company converts sales into net income; higher margins indicate greater profitability.
In terms of valuation, Duke Energy Corp’s market capitalization stands at $88.02 billion. Market cap represents the total value of all outstanding shares and is a key indicator of a company’s market value. The stock’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 20.51, assessing the company’s valuation relative to its earnings. The forward P/E ratio, which uses projected earnings for the next financial year, is 16.93. Additionally, the Price-to-Sales Ratio is 2.91, reflecting the market’s valuation of the company’s sales, while the Price-to-Book Ratio is 1.83, comparing the market value to the company’s book value.
Understanding Insider Trading
Investors often prefer to invest in shares held by company insiders, as management is typically more aligned with the company’s success and shareholder interests. Currently, insiders own just 0.17% of Duke Energy Corp (DUK)’s shares, while financial institutions hold 66.78%.
Notable insider trades include Glenn Robert Alexander, EVP & CEO DEF & Midwest at Duke Energy Corp (DUK), who sold 15002 shares on Nov 15 ’24, at $109.74 each, totaling $1.65 million. On Aug 23 ’24, JANSON JULIA S, EVP&CEO, Duke Energy Carolinas, sold 10000 shares for $112.58 each, amounting to $1.13 million. Additionally, on May 15 ’24, GOOD LYNN J sold 15000 shares at $103.3 each, generating $1.55 million.
