Is Duke Energy Corporation a Good Stock to Buy Now?

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is a leading regulated utility with a strong monopoly position across the Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. It stands to benefit from a multi-decade infrastructure build-out and a surge in electricity demand driven by hyperscale data centers, industrial reshoring, and AI adoption. The bull case envisions a 12-month stock price range of $140 to $155, driven by faster AI-related load growth, North Carolina ROE improvements, and potential Fed rate cuts.