Best month in over a year and a half came in February. Harry Sedaris is the CEO of Duke Energy and joins us now in an exclusive interview for our new power insider energy focus. Harry, it's great to chat with you again.I want to start very quickly sort of a little bit on the political angle. The president, there's a meeting next week at the White House. Heck, maybe you'll be there.Bunch of big techs going to be there. The president wants everyone to sign this rate player payer pledge. He said to not have da ...

| | UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | | | --- | --- | --- | | | WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K | | | (Mark One) | | | | ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | | | | For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 or | | | ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | | | | For the transition period from________to________ | | | Commission | Registrant, State of Incorporation or Organization, Ad ...

Core Insights - Generative AI is viewed as a transformative technology by Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, indicating its potential to significantly enhance customer experiences across the company [1] - Elon Musk predicts that humanoid robots could create a market worth $250 trillion by 2040, representing a major shift in the global economy driven by AI innovation [2] - Major firms like PwC and McKinsey acknowledge that AI has the potential to unlock multi-trillion-dollar opportunities, reinforcing the optimistic outlook on AI's economic impact [3] Company and Industry Analysis - A breakthrough in AI technology is believed to be redefining work, learning, and creativity, leading to increased interest from hedge funds and top investors [4] - There is speculation about an under-owned company that may play a crucial role in the AI revolution, suggesting that its technology could pose a threat to competitors [4] - Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Bill Gates and Larry Ellison, are heavily investing in AI, indicating a strong belief in its transformative potential [8]

Duke Energy Foundation commits $500,000 to support local environmental resilience programs across North Carolina [Accessibility Statement] Skip Navigation- Funding will support projects aimed at enhancing and preserving the state's natural surroundings- Up to 20 nonprofits will each receive a $25,000 grant – [apply] by March 13CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Foundation is committing $500,000 to support local environmental resilience projects across North Carolina that conserve nat ...

Core Insights - Duke Energy's nuclear fleet achieved a record reliability in 2025, with a capacity factor of 96.9%, providing consistent power to over 8 million homes in the Carolinas [1][1][1] - The nuclear plants generated approximately $600 million in savings for customers through federal nuclear production tax credits, directly reducing costs [1][1][1] - The company is focused on extending the operational lifespan of its nuclear facilities, conducting power uprates, and engaging in advanced reactor development to meet growing energy demands [1][1][1] Company Overview - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units across six sites in the Carolinas, making nuclear energy its largest generation source [1][1] - The company serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and has a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts [1][1] - Duke Energy is investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation methods, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [1][1] Future Strategy - The nuclear strategy aims to enhance reliability and capacity while ensuring low-cost power for customers [1][1] - The company emphasizes the importance of skilled teams operating the facilities to maintain high performance and reliability [1][1]

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs Conviction List features top stock picks for institutional and high-net-worth clients, highlighting companies with strong growth and income potential [1][2] - Five dividend-paying companies have been on the Conviction List for extended periods, all rated as Buy by Goldman Sachs [1] Company Summaries - **Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)**: - Dividend yield of 2.06% - Target price set at $67 - On the Conviction List for 362 days - Operates in Global Markets, Global Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Consumer Banking segments [1][2] - **Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)**: - Dividend yield of 2.10% - Target price set at $250 - On the Conviction List for 275 days - Focuses on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices across Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments [1][2] - **Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII)**: - Dividend yield of 1.33% - Target price set at $425 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - Engages in designing and constructing military ships and offers various naval nuclear support services [1][2] - **Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)**: - Dividend yield of 3.37% - Target price set at $141 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - Operates in Electric Utilities and Infrastructure and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segments [1][2] - **Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB)**: - Dividend yield of 3.09% - Target price set at $84 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - A global lifestyle apparel company with brands like Wrangler and Lee [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) has consistently paid dividends since 1999, yielding 2.75% and delivering a total return of 20.41% over the past year, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors [1]. Group 1: Dividend Consistency and Holdings - XLU has a 2.75% yield with uninterrupted dividend payments since 1999, indicating strong reliability for income-focused investors [1]. - NextEra Energy constitutes 14.06% of XLU's holdings, with a payout ratio of 69.1%, supporting a 10% annual dividend growth [1]. - Southern Company and Duke Energy have also raised dividends, reflecting their status as regulated utilities with a history of consistent payments [1]. Group 2: Financial Health and Dividend Sustainability - NextEra Energy's conservative capital allocation strategy allows for a sustainable dividend, with earnings growth of 25.8% providing flexibility for shareholder rewards and infrastructure investments [1]. - Southern Company increased its quarterly payment from $0.72 to $0.74, while Duke Energy raised its payment from $1.045 to $1.065, both maintaining manageable payout ratios [1]. Group 3: Market Context and Total Returns - The interest rate environment has shifted favorably for dividend-paying utilities, with the 10-year Treasury yield decreasing from 4.58% to 4.09%, reducing the opportunity cost of holding dividend stocks [1]. - XLU's total returns of 20.41% over the past year highlight the growing recognition of the value proposition in utilities [1]. - The projected dividend payments for 2025 are expected to be around $2.00 annually, down from $2.24 in 2024, reflecting portfolio rebalancing rather than fundamental weakness [1].

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is one of the best infrastructure stocks to buy right now. On February 11, Goldman Sachs lifted its price target on Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) to $142 from $141 while retaining a Buy rating. Duke Energy (DUK) Advances Strategy Amid Rising Demand Trends Pixbabay/Public Domain ​Goldman focused on Duke’s updated five-year capital investment blueprint totaling $103 billion. The blueprint is a jump from the prior $87 billion forecast, and, according to Duke, it is s ...

Group 1: Pool Corp - Pool Corp is a robust company with a significant portion of its revenue, 62%, coming from pool maintenance, indicating a strong business model beyond new construction [2] - The company is currently 50% off its all-time high, presenting a buying opportunity despite challenges in the housing market [3] Group 2: Occidental Petroleum - Occidental Petroleum is positioned well due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Venezuela, which are expected to support energy prices over the next two years [3] - The company has diversified operations beyond crude oil, including gas and chemicals, which provides resilience against market fluctuations [3] Group 3: Intuit - Intuit has seen a significant decline, down 50% from its all-time high, but is considered oversold and strategically positioned with partnerships in AI [3] - The company offers a suite of products, including QuickBooks and TurboTax, which are expected to benefit from AI integration [3] Group 4: Duke Energy - Duke Energy is forecasted to meet increasing power demands, with a projected 1.5% growth in gigawatts needed from new data centers [3] - The company has the highest integrated capital expenditure spending in the US regulated energy sector, positioning it well for future growth [3] Group 5: MicroStrategy - MicroStrategy is currently viewed as a sell, being 77% off its all-time high, with concerns about Bitcoin's potential decline through mid-2027 due to yield curve dynamics [3][4] - The company is associated with Bitcoin and blockchain but faces challenges in proving its value as a long-term asset during economic downturns [4][5] Group 6: Bitcoin as Digital Gold - Bitcoin's performance has diverged from gold, raising questions about its status as "digital gold" and its reliability during recessions [4][5] - The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrency remains unclear, which adds to the speculative nature of Bitcoin investments [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy is providing support to Florida customers facing higher power bills due to a recent cold snap, offering resources for bill payment and fraud prevention [1] Group 1: Customer Support Initiatives - Duke Energy anticipates an increase in scam reports similar to the nearly 800 reports received in February 2025, urging customers to recognize common scams [1] - The company offers various assistance programs, including installment plans, due date extensions, and access to the Share the Light Fund® [1] - Energy efficiency solutions are available, such as free home assessments and rebates for improvement projects to help customers reduce energy usage over time [1] Group 2: Company Overview - Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, has an energy capacity of 12,300 megawatts, serving 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida [1] - Duke Energy is one of America's largest energy holding companies, serving 8.4 million customers across multiple states and owning a total energy capacity of 54,800 megawatts [1] - The company is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation methods, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [1]