Stock Update (NYSE:DUK): Duke Energy moving additional storm responders to the Carolinas

[PR Newswire] – CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy is beefing up its presence in the Carolinas with an additional 1,400 storm responders headed to the region. The workers, mainly from the company’s Florida operations and neighboring utilities in that state, expect to be needed as a winter storm is forecasted to bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to North Carolina and South Carolina as well as the Eastern United States. Weather forecasts indicate the potential for significant ice and snow accumulations, which can bring down trees and power lines, causing power outages. Read more on this. Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) , currently valued at $48.93B, started the session at $71.70. Today, shares have traded between $70.35 and $72.14 per share with a trailing 52-week range being $65.50 to $89.97. DUK shares are currently priced at 15.97x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 2.95x earnings multiple. And for those looking to make a return holding the stock, the company pays shareholders $3.30 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.51%. 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 $0.00 sequential decrease. What we find to be interesting is that the full-year EPS estimate of $4.58 is a $0.03 better 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. In terms of ratings, BofA/Merrill upgraded DUK from Underperform to Neutral (Jan 12, 2016). Previously, Scotia Howard Weil Initiated DUK at to Sector Perform. When considering if the stock is under or overvalued, the average price target is $75.89, which is 5.84% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:DUK) Similar Articles: Market Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Relief efforts in the Carolinas get boost with $100,000 donation from Duke Energy Stock Update (NYSE:DUK): Lower overall rates begin for Duke Energy Carolinas’ SC customers Company Update (NYSE:DUK): Duke Energy responders recall the storm that changed their lives