Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy continues to make strong progress closing ash basins while reviewing the state’s latest action

[PR Newswire] – CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy today issued the following statement in response to 12 Notices of Violation issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) related to seeps at coal ash basins. The best way to reduce or eliminate seeps altogether is to safely remove the water from ash basins and close them in ways that protect people and the environment. Back in 2010, Duke Energy talked with NC DEQ about permitting seeps. Read more on this. Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) , valued at $51.72B, opened at $73.98. During the trading session, DUK traded between $73.67 to $75.24 with its 52-week range being $65.50 to $80.10. DUK shares are currently priced at 16.05x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 16.03x earnings multiple. The company pays shareholders $3.30 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.50%. In a review of the consensus earnings estimate this quarter, 7 sell-side analysts are looking at $1.18 per share, which would be $0.06 worse than the year-ago quarter and a $0.02 sequential increase. The full-year EPS estimate is $4.63 which would be a $0.09 improvement than last year’s full-year earnings. The quarterly earnings estimate is based on a consensus revenue forecast of the current quarter of $6.01 Billion. If realized, that would be a 0.83% decrease over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, JP Morgan downgraded DUK from Overweight to Neutral (Feb 19, 2016). Previously, Wells Fargo downgraded DUK from Outperform to Market Perform. Investors should keep in mind is that the average price target is $77.08, which is 4.19% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:DUK) Similar Articles: Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy reviews state civil penalty while making strong progress in closing ash basins Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas file with North Carolina Utilities Commission for acquisition approval Company Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – $7 million settlement with the state advances Duke Energy’s efforts to close coal ash basins in ways that protect people and the environment