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On Wednesday, Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith increased the price target on Duke Energy stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker (NYSE:DUK), from the previous $133.00 to $138.00, while reiterating a Buy rating on the shares. Currently trading at $122.94, the stock has delivered an impressive 15.16% return year-to-date and sits near its 52-week high of $125.27. The adjustment followed Duke Energy’s first-quarter performance, which Dumoulin-Smith described as a clear beat, albeit accompanied by an otherwise unremarkable earnings report.
Dumoulin-Smith highlighted Duke Energy’s recent success in converting data center operations in April, though he cautioned that future progress in this area might not follow a straight line. Despite the modest tone of the earnings report, the analyst pointed to the company’s defensive qualities and potential for a 16% upside in the stock price. According to InvestingPro, Duke Energy has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years and raised them for 17 straight years, underlining its stability as an investment.
The commentary from Jefferies also touched upon the broader financial outlook for Duke Energy. With both the firm and other analysts placing estimates in the upper half of Duke Energy’s target 5-7% earnings per share (EPS) compound annual growth rate (CAGR), there is speculation about whether discussions to raise guidance could surface. However, Dumoulin-Smith expressed skepticism about an early guidance raise, especially given the investment ramp-up period and the transition to a new CEO at Duke Energy. For deeper insights into Duke Energy’s valuation and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis and 8 additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.
The revised price target of $138.00 per share reflects Jefferies’ confidence in Duke Energy’s prospects and suggests a favorable outlook for the company’s financial growth. With a market capitalization of $95.53 billion and projected earnings per share of $6.33 for fiscal year 2025, the firm’s analysis indicates that Duke Energy could continue to be an attractive option for investors seeking stability and growth in the utility sector.
In other recent news, Duke Energy reported impressive financial results for the first quarter of 2025, surpassing analysts’ expectations. The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.76, exceeding the forecasted $1.48, and generated revenue of $8.25 billion, which was higher than the anticipated $7.81 billion. These results reflect a 22% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS, driven by significant contributions from both its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segments. Duke Energy has reaffirmed its 2025 earnings guidance range of $6.17 to $6.42 per share. The company is on track to invest $15 billion in capital projects for the year, focusing on nuclear station license extensions and new natural gas and nuclear technologies. Additionally, Duke Energy announced plans to merge its DC and DEP utilities, aiming to file a merger application later this year. This merger is expected to create substantial customer savings and streamline operations. The company continues to explore strategic partnerships, such as a recent agreement with GE Vernova to secure up to 19 natural gas turbines.
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