Duke Energy Trading Volume Drops 42.78% Ranking 257th in Daily Volume

On May 23, 2025, Duke Energy (DUK) saw a trading volume of $311 million, marking a 42.78% decrease from the previous day. The stock closed with a 0.80% increase, ranking 257th in terms of trading volume for the day.

Morgan Stanley has adjusted its price target for Duke Energy, lowering it from $126 to $125 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating. This revision is part of a broader review of price targets within the Regulated & Diversified Utilities / IPP North America sector. Despite this adjustment, Duke Energy remains attractive to data centers and large load customers, indicating strong demand in the utility sector. Management teams express confidence that potential changes to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will be manageable, as many companies have secure measures in place. This stable outlook suggests resilience in the current market landscape.

Duke Energy reported a strong start to the year with first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.76, a 22% increase over the previous year. The company received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license for its Oconee nuclear station for an additional 20 years, ensuring long-term power supply. Duke Energy is advancing its all-of-the-above strategy by investing in new generation projects, including combined cycle units and solar and battery storage projects. The company is on track to achieve its 2025 earnings guidance range of $6.17 to $6.42 and maintains a long-term EPS growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2029. Additionally, Duke Energy announced a strategic partnership with GE Vernova to secure up to 19 natural gas turbines, ensuring timely delivery of critical infrastructure to meet growing customer needs.

However, higher interest expenses and depreciation partially offset the growth in the Electric Utilities & Infrastructure segment. The company faces potential impacts from tariffs, estimated to affect 1% to 3% of its five-year capital plan. Duke Energy is issuing $1 billion of common equity this year, which could dilute existing shareholders. The merger of DEC and DEP utilities, while beneficial, will take time, with an effective date targeted for January 2027. Economic and policy uncertainties, including tariffs and global supply chain issues, pose potential risks to industrial customer activity levels.