Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Duke Energy (DUK) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors

Read MoreHide Full Article

Duke Energy (DUK - Free Report) closed the latest trading day at $99.95, indicating a -0.25% change from the previous session's end. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.16% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.04%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.49%.

The electric utility's shares have seen a decrease of 0.97% over the last month, surpassing the Utilities sector's loss of 3.23% and falling behind the S&P 500's gain of 3.22%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Duke Energy in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.99, up 8.79% from the prior-year quarter. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $6.65 billion, indicating a 1.06% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

DUK's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $5.97 per share and revenue of $29.99 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +7.37% and +3.21%, respectively.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Duke Energy. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the company's business performance and profit potential.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.08% lower. Duke Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

With respect to valuation, Duke Energy is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.79. This denotes a premium relative to the industry's average Forward P/E of 14.94.

One should further note that DUK currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.75. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. DUK's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.52 as of yesterday's close.

The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 83, this industry ranks in the top 33% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) - free report >>

Published in