Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) operates as one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. With a market cap of $96.5 billion, the company operates through Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I) segments.

While the utilities giant has lagged behind the broader market over the past 52 weeks, it has outperformed the market in 2025. DUK stock has gained 11.7% over the past 52 weeks and 15.1% on a YTD basis, compared to the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 21.5% gains over the past year and 7.1% returns in 2025.

Narrowing the focus, DUK has also lagged behind the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund’s (XLU) 19.6% surge over the past 52 weeks, but slightly outpaced XLU’s 14.1% gains in 2025.

Duke’s stock prices observed a marginal dip in yesterday’s trading session following the release of its mixed Q2 results. The company’s results benefited from the implementation of new rates and riders. Duke observed growth in both electric and natural gas revenues, resulting in a notable 4.8% year-over-year increase in overall topline to $7.5 billion, exceeding the Street’s expectations by a significant margin.

However, this growth wasn’t completely translated into bottom-line gains due to a surge in operating and maintenance expenses and interest expense. While its adjusted EPS increased by 5.9% to $1.25, it fell short of the consensus estimates.

For the full fiscal 2025, ending in December, analysts expect DUK to deliver an EPS of $6.31, up 7% year-over-year. However, the stock has a mixed earnings surprise history. It has missed the Street’s bottom-line estimates twice over the past four quarters, and surpassed the projections on two other occasions.

The stock has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating overall. Of the 21 analysts covering the stock, 11 recommend “Strong Buy,” one suggests “Moderate Buy,” and nine advocate “Hold” ratings.

This configuration is slightly more optimistic than a month ago, when 10 analysts gave “Strong Buy” recommendations.

On Jul. 15, JP Morgan (JPM) analyst Jeremy Tonet reiterated a “Neutral” rating on DUK and raised the price target from $122 to $127.

Duke’s mean price target of $130.13 suggests a modest 4.9% upside potential. Meanwhile, the Street-high target of $142 represents a notable 14.5% premium to current price levels.