Core Insights - Duke Energy achieved nine awards at the International Lineman's Rodeo, showcasing the skills and dedication of its lineworkers [1][2][4] Company Performance - Duke Energy's team included 78 competitors, with notable placements in various categories, including third place in overall journeyman awards and first place in the journeyman seniors division [2][11] - The company is focused on investing in a skilled workforce to enhance response times to outages and maintain reliability as it executes grid improvement work [5][14] Industry Context - The International Lineman's Rodeo has been a platform for lineworkers to demonstrate their skills for over 40 years, emphasizing the importance of safety, speed, and technique in maintaining electric service [3][10] - Lineworkers play a crucial role in the electric grid, ensuring reliable service and responding to extreme weather events, while also implementing advanced technologies for improved service [4][10] Future Outlook - Duke Energy is committed to an ambitious energy transition, focusing on electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation methods, including renewables and energy storage [14]

Core Insights - Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is recognized as one of the 12 Best Nuclear Power Dividend Stocks to buy currently [1] - The company operates 11 nuclear units across six sites in the Carolinas, which serve as its primary source of carbon-free energy generation [2] - Duke Energy has maintained a stable cash flow model supported by government-regulated rate structures, allowing it to pay dividends for 99 consecutive years as of mid-2025 [3] Financial Performance - Duke Energy declared a quarterly dividend of $1.065 per share, resulting in an attractive annual dividend yield of 3.33% [3] - Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella raised the price target for Duke Energy from $131 to $135 while maintaining an 'Overweight' rating on its shares [4]

Core Points - Duke Energy Foundation announced a new grant opportunity of $500,000 to support small businesses in North Carolina [1] - Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000, which will fund awards of up to $5,000 for individual small businesses [2][9] - The funding can be utilized by local businesses for renovations, equipment purchases, inventory, and other business needs [2] - In 2024, twenty organizations in North Carolina received funding for small business support, with Duke Energy Foundation committing over $2.4 million since 2020 [3] - Small businesses employ nearly half of North Carolina's workforce, highlighting their importance to the economy [4] - Applications for the grants are open until October 31, 2025 [4][9] Company Overview - Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., serving 8.6 million customers across several states [6] - The company owns 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity and serves 1.7 million natural gas customers [6] - Duke Energy is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation [7] - The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet community needs [5]

Core Insights - The S&P 500 remains volatile despite a year-to-date gain of over 13%, influenced by renewed trade tensions with China and a resurgence of tariffs [1][2] - Investors are advised to consider defensive plays in light of slipping consumer confidence and broader economic concerns [2] Duke Energy - Duke Energy has a market value of nearly $100 billion and serves customers in the Midwest and South, with a recent investment of $6 billion from Brookfield Infrastructure Partners enhancing its credit profile [3][4] - The company is exploring the addition of new nuclear reactors over the next 12 years while maintaining its legacy fossil-fuel plants due to favorable regulatory changes [4] - Duke Energy offers a dividend yield of 3.33% with a strong history of dividend increases over 20 years, supported by a payout ratio of 69.27% [5] NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy operates both a regulated electric utility and a significant renewable energy business, appealing to investors interested in renewables [7][8] - The company reported a year-over-year adjusted EPS increase of over 9% while keeping residential bills below the U.S. average [8] - NextEra has a backlog of approximately 30 GW of energy resources, attracting institutional investors with nearly $17 billion in inflows over the past year [9][10] Xcel Energy - Xcel Energy, the smallest of the three companies, has a dividend yield of 2.82% and a history of 22 years of dividend increases [11] - The company recently settled a $640 million lawsuit related to the 2021 Marshall Fire, allowing it to refocus on its data center business, which targets 2.5 GW by 2030 [12][13] - This focus on data centers is expected to drive significant earnings growth, providing stability for investors [13]

Core Insights - Duke Energy Corporation is a utility company with a market cap of under $100 billion, operating the largest regulated nuclear portfolio in the United States [2] Group 1: Company Overview - Duke Energy has an impressive portfolio of assets, particularly in the nuclear sector [2] - The company is focused on building retirement portfolios and employs a fact-based research strategy to identify investments [2] Group 2: Investment Strategy - The Value Portfolio utilizes extensive readings of 10Ks, analyst commentary, market reports, and investor presentations to inform investment decisions [2]

Company Overview - Duke Energy Corporation is a utility company with a market cap of under $100 billion, operating the largest regulated nuclear portfolio in the United States [2]. Investment Strategy - The Value Portfolio focuses on building retirement portfolios through a fact-based research strategy, which includes analyzing 10Ks, analyst commentary, market reports, and investor presentations [2].

Core Insights - Duke Energy Corporation is recognized as one of the best nuclear power stocks to buy according to analysts [1][2] - The company operates 11 nuclear units across six sites in the Carolinas, which serve as its primary source of carbon-free energy generation [2][3] Investment Strategy - Duke Energy is considering the addition of large nuclear reactors to its existing 11-gigawatt fleet to address the increasing electricity demand in the Carolinas [3] - The company plans to study the implementation of large light-water reactors and small modular reactors, aiming for a 2037 in-service date for new nuclear generation [3] Financial Outlook - Duke Energy has initiated a five-year investment program totaling $83 billion to enhance its transmission and distribution network [4] - This investment is expected to support an earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2029 [4] - The company's business model is characterized by stable cash flows, supported by government-regulated rate structures, enabling it to maintain dividends for 99 consecutive years by mid-2025 [4]

Core Insights - Duke Energy (DUK) is consistently investing in infrastructure and expansion projects to enhance service reliability and is increasing its renewable generation portfolio, making it a solid investment option in the Zacks Utility Electric Power industry [1] Growth Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DUK's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) is $6.32, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.1% [2] - The estimated revenues for DUK in 2025 are $31.76 billion, indicating a growth of 4.6% from the 2024 reported figure [2] - DUK's long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 6.6%, with an average earnings surprise of 3.12% over the last four quarters [2] Return to Shareholders - Duke Energy has been increasing shareholder value through consistent dividend payments, with a current quarterly dividend of $1.065 per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $4.26 and a dividend yield of 3.39% [3] Capital Deployment Plan - DUK plans to invest $190-$200 billion over the next decade, focusing on clean energy transition, with $87 billion earmarked for the 2025-2029 period [5] Renewable Expansion Initiatives - As of July 2025, Duke Energy operates 1,500 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity in Florida and plans to add 1,500 MW of solar capacity annually in the Carolinas and 900 MW annually in Florida starting in 2027 [6] - The company aims to add 6,700 MW of solar and 2,700 MW of battery energy storage in the Carolinas by 2031 [6] - DUK plans to introduce 1,200 MW of onshore wind by 2033 and 800-1,100 MW of offshore wind by 2034, with an additional 2,200-2,400 MW by 2035 [7] Solvency - Duke Energy's times interest earned (TIE) ratio at the end of Q2 2025 was 2.6, indicating the company's capacity to meet long-term debt obligations [10] Stock Price Performance - In the past month, Duke Energy shares have increased by 4.3%, outperforming the industry's growth of 2.9% [11]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of sales growth over earnings when evaluating stocks, suggesting that steady sales growth indicates strong demand and a durable business model [2][3][10] - A selection of stocks with robust sales growth and high cash balances is recommended, including StoneCo, Garmin, Assurant, VICI Properties, and Duke Energy, all of which show promising sales growth for 2025 [10][11][12][13][14][15] Sales Growth and Cash Flow - Sales growth is preferred over earnings as it reflects actual demand and provides visibility into a company's business model [3][5] - Constant sales growth leads to predictable cash flows, allowing companies to reinvest, expand, or return capital to shareholders without excessive debt reliance [5] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks are shortlisted based on criteria such as 5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than industry average and Cash Flow exceeding $500 million [6] - Additional metrics include a Price/Sales (P/S) Ratio lower than the industry average, positive changes in sales estimate revisions, operating margins above 5%, and Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5% [7][8][9] Recommended Stocks - **StoneCo Ltd. (STNE)**: Expected sales growth of 9.8% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)**: Anticipated sales growth of 12.3% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Assurant Inc. (AIZ)**: Projected sales growth of 5.7% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [13] - **VICI Properties Inc. (VICI)**: Expected sales growth of 4% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [14] - **Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)**: Anticipated sales growth of 4.6% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [15]

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy (DUK) is positioned well to continue its trend of beating earnings estimates in the upcoming quarterly report, supported by a strong history of performance in the electric utility sector [1]. Group 1: Earnings Performance - Duke Energy has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, achieving an average beat of 7.87% over the last two quarters [2]. - In the most recent quarter, Duke Energy reported earnings of $1.25 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 per share by 5.04%. In the prior quarter, the company reported earnings of $1.76 per share against an expectation of $1.59 per share, resulting in a surprise of 10.69% [3]. Group 2: Earnings Estimates and Predictions - There has been a favorable shift in earnings estimates for Duke Energy, with a positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) indicating potential for another earnings beat [6]. - The current Earnings ESP for Duke Energy stands at +2.59%, reflecting increased analyst optimism regarding its near-term earnings potential. This positive ESP, combined with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggests a strong likelihood of another earnings beat [9]. Group 3: Importance of Earnings ESP - Stocks that exhibit a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better have a nearly 70% chance of producing a positive surprise, indicating a high probability of beating consensus estimates [7]. - The Earnings ESP metric is crucial for predicting earnings performance, as it compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the former being more reflective of recent analyst revisions [8].