Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas file with North Carolina Utilities Commission for acquisition approval

[PR Newswire] – “This transaction will bring an array of benefits to North Carolina’s energy consumers and the state’s economy, and will not adversely impact Duke Energy’s or Piedmont’s customer rates or service,” said Lynn Good, chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy. Read more on this. Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) , valued at $49.62B, started the session at $71.48. A quick look at the market, the company’s stock traded between $71.02 and $72.30 with a trailing 52-week range being $65.50 to $89.97. Duke Energy (DUK) shares are currently priced at 15.80x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 4.67x earnings multiple for the same period. And for income investors, the company pays shareholders $3.30 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.65%. According to a consensus of 15 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.92 per share would be $0.06 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.02 sequential increase. Investors should also note that the full-year EPS estimate of $4.58 is a $0.03 improvement when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is based on a consensus revenue forecast of the current quarter of $6.45 Billion. If realized, that would be a 16.01% increase over the year-ago quarter. Recently, BofA/Merrill upgraded DUK from Underperform to Neutral (Jan 12, 2016). Previously, Scotia Howard Weil Initiated DUK at to Sector Perform. With the above information in mind, readers should note that the average price target is $75.89, which is 6.17% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:DUK) Similar Articles: Market Update (NYSE:DUK): Federal Trade Commission grants antitrust approval of Duke Energy’s proposed acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas Market Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Notifies Shareholders of Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. of Commencement of an Investigation Concerning the Fairness of the Sale of the Company to Duke Energy Corp. — PNY Company Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy names David Fountain as new North Carolina president