Core Insights - Duke Energy (DUK) operates primarily as a regulated utility, benefiting from stable and predictable revenues due to regulatory frameworks that allow for approved returns on investments [1][9] - The company plans to invest approximately $190-$200 billion over the next decade, focusing on grid modernization and clean energy projects, with $95-$105 billion allocated for the period of 2026-2030 [3][9] - DUK's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth is projected to be in the range of 5-7% through 2029, supported by efficient cost recovery mechanisms [4][9] Investment and Financial Performance - The regulatory structure enables DUK to recover costs through customer rates, including fluctuating fuel expenses, allowing for investments in large-scale generation assets [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year EPS increase of 7.12% for 2025 and 6.1% for 2026 [8] - DUK is currently trading at a premium with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 17.49X compared to the industry average of 15.31X [11] Market Position and Growth Strategy - DUK operates in constructive and growing jurisdictions with supportive regulatory environments, which reduces business risk and enhances its investment profile [3] - The company’s capital spending is primarily focused on regulated infrastructure, grid upgrades, and clean energy projects, which are expected to drive long-term growth [3][9] - In the past year, DUK's shares have increased by 8.8%, while the industry has seen a growth of 22.9% [13]

Core Insights - The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) has reappointed three board members, effective January 1, 2026, to support its mission during a critical period for the U.S. clean energy transition [1][2][3] Group 1: Board Reappointments - Jeff Guldner, former CEO of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, and Bryan Hannegan, president and CEO of Holy Cross Energy, will each serve a second consecutive three-year term after joining the Board in 2022 [1] - Paul Lau, CEO and general manager of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, has been re-elected for an additional one-year term, extending his 11-year tenure on the Board [1] Group 2: Expertise and Contributions - The board members bring diverse expertise: Paul Lau has extensive public power leadership and grid operations experience, Jeff Guldner has guided large investor-owned utilities through growth and transformation, and Bryan Hannegan has a strong background in grid modernization and energy systems innovation [3] - Their collective insight is expected to enhance SEPA's ability to support its members and navigate the evolving energy landscape [3] Group 3: SEPA's Mission and Membership - SEPA aims to accelerate the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system, engaging over 1,000 members, including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies [4] - The organization focuses on education, collaboration, and applied research to advance innovative solutions in the energy sector [4]

Core Insights - Duke Energy Florida employees contributed over $293,000 and volunteered nearly 11,000 hours, resulting in a total community investment exceeding $1 million through local nonprofit organizations [1][2] - The Duke Energy Foundation matched employee donations and volunteer hours with more than $387,000, enhancing the overall impact on the communities served [2] - Additional investments by the Duke Energy Foundation included $300,000 for climate resiliency initiatives, $789,000 for supporting colleges and universities, $163,000 for emergency preparedness, and $125,000 to combat food insecurity [3] 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 [5] - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and owns a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts [6] - The company is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [7]

Core Insights - Duke Energy is actively providing energy assistance to families in need during challenging times, particularly as temperatures drop in the holiday season [1] Group 1: Financial Contributions and Community Support - In 2025, Duke Energy, its Foundation, customers, and employees contributed over $670,000 to community agencies in South Carolina to help families maintain warmth and power [2] - Since 2022, Duke Energy has contributed more than $11 million to nonprofit partners nationwide to assist customers in need [2] Group 2: Testimonials and Community Impact - Amanda Dow, Duke Energy Foundation South Carolina director, emphasized the importance of the Share the Light Fund in supporting families during tough times [3] - Kristi King-Brock, executive director of Anderson Interfaith Ministries, highlighted Duke Energy's consistent funding over 35 years, which has allowed thousands of low-income individuals to receive utility bill assistance [3] - Shelley L. Price, executive director of G.R.A.S.P., expressed gratitude for Duke Energy's support, which helps families facing difficult choices between utility payments and other basic needs [3] Group 3: Additional Support Initiatives - Duke Energy awarded $125,000 in microgrants in 2025 to South Carolina nonprofits to help make necessary repairs for households to qualify for energy efficiency improvements [4] - The company has increased incentives and eligibility for energy efficiency and demand response programs in South Carolina, providing more ways for customers to save money and energy [4] Group 4: Company Overview - Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., serving 8.6 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers across several states [5] - The company is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [6]

Core Insights - Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is recognized as one of the 10 Best Performing Electrical Infrastructure Stocks in 2025 [1] - The company has proposed new investments in North Carolina, seeking updated rates for its utilities [2] Financial Proposals - Duke Energy Carolinas is requesting a $1 billion annual revenue increase, which includes $727 million in 2027 and $275 million in 2028, representing a 15% rise above current revenues [3] - Duke Energy Progress has a request for $729 million, with $200 million in 2028 and $528 million in 2027, indicating a 15.1% growth above current revenues [3] - The proposals are contingent on regulatory approval and are based on a 53% equity capital structure with a proposed return on equity of 10.95% [3] Tax Credits and Savings - The filing mentions expected benefits from nuclear production tax credits, with Duke Energy's nuclear plants projected to generate hundreds of millions in tax credits through 2032 [4] - Customers of Duke Energy Carolinas are set to receive $150 million in nuclear production tax credits during 2025-2026 at current rates [4] - The new proposal aims to extend nuclear production tax credits to Duke Energy Progress customers and introduce solar and hydro tax incentives for both utilities [4] - A proposed merger between Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress is expected to save customers over $1 billion in future expenses [4] Company Overview - Duke Energy Corporation is one of the largest utilities in the United States, operating regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky [5]

Core Insights - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, will significantly impact markets starting in January, particularly benefiting cyclical sectors outside of tech and AI [1][2] - Société Générale's chief US equity strategist, Manish Kabra, has identified 30 stocks that are expected to benefit from the tax and regulatory breaks provided by the bill, focusing on financials, industrials, and consumer cyclicals [2] Beneficiary Sectors - Key sectors poised for growth include defense, small-caps, consumer, and energy, as they are expected to receive a boost from the new tax and regulatory policies [2] - The average forward price-to-earnings ratio for the identified stocks is 17x, with an expected earnings-per-share growth of 15% in 2026 and 2027 [3] Defense Beneficiaries - General Dynamics Corp (GD): Positioned for defense modernization funding [6] - L3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX): Benefits from investment in advanced systems [6] - Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC): Well-placed for missile defense and space programs [6] - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII): Supported by naval modernization initiatives [6] Capex Incentive Beneficiaries - United Rentals Inc (URI): Set to gain from increased construction activity [6] - Jacobs Solutions Inc (J): Benefits from infrastructure upgrades and industrial investment incentives [6] - Trimble Inc (TRMB): Aligned with manufacturing investment push [6] - Caterpillar Inc (CAT): Benefits from accelerated depreciation and domestic production incentives [6] - Cummins Inc (CMI): Supported by R&D expensing and industrial investment [6] - Deere & Co (DE): Gains from capex incentives and domestic manufacturing support [6] - Nucor Corp (NUE): Benefits from industrial base expansion and construction demand [6] - Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX): Critical supplier for electrification and infrastructure projects [6] - Duke Energy Corp (DUK): Positioned for grid modernization under capex policies [7]

Industry Overview - Utility service providers are benefiting from increased electricity tariffs, accretive acquisitions, cost reductions, and energy-efficiency initiatives, alongside efforts to enhance electric infrastructure resilience and transition to renewable energy sources [1][3] - The maintenance and improvement of utilities' infrastructure relies heavily on capital expenditures for updating and modernizing assets to meet growing demand, particularly from data centers [2] Company Insights: Duke Energy (DUK) - Duke Energy is expanding its renewable energy footprint by promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption and aims to electrify most of its vehicle fleet by 2030, having already reduced carbon emissions by 44% from 2005 levels [5][6] - The company plans to retire most of its coal capacity by 2030 and fully exit coal by 2035, with a long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 [6] - Duke Energy anticipates capital expenditures of $190-$200 billion over the next decade, with $95-$105 billion expected during 2026-2030, and has invested $9.88 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [15] Company Insights: Exelon Corporation (EXC) - Exelon focuses on the transmission and distribution of clean energy, with a business model that provides stable earnings despite weather-related demand fluctuations, supported by decoupled distribution revenues [7][8] - The company serves over 10 million customers across seven regulatory jurisdictions and plans to invest nearly $38 billion during 2025-2028 to enhance grid reliability and customer needs [16] - Exelon's current return on equity (ROE) is 10.29%, slightly higher than Duke Energy's 9.98%, both outperforming the industry average of 9.9% [14] Financial Performance and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Duke Energy's earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.12% for 2025 and 6.1% for 2026, while Exelon's EPS is expected to rise by 8% and 4.26% for the same years [10][12] - Duke Energy's shares trade at a forward Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.55X, while Exelon's P/E is 15.74X, making Exelon relatively more attractive from a valuation perspective [18] Dividend Yield - Duke Energy has a dividend yield of 3.62%, while Exelon's yield is 3.61%, both significantly higher than the S&P 500 composite average of 1.1% [17] Investment Recommendation - Both Duke Energy and Exelon are positioned for growth through strategic investments in infrastructure and renewable energy, but Exelon is favored for its better near-term earnings growth, ROE, and valuation [19][20]

Core Insights - Duke Energy is actively providing energy assistance to families during challenging times, particularly as temperatures drop in the holiday season [1] Group 1: Impact and Contributions - Duke Energy, its Foundation, customers, and employees have contributed over $6.4 million to community agencies through the Share the Light Fund® to help families keep their homes warm and powered [2] - More than one-third of the contributions came from the Duke Energy Foundation, which included an additional $400,000 invested in the summer to assist families during extreme heat [2] - Since 2022, Duke Energy has contributed over $11 million to local nonprofit partners to connect customers in need with assistance [3] Group 2: Community Support and Partnerships - The Share the Light Fund enables partnerships with local organizations like Crisis Assistance Ministry to provide swift assistance to households in need [3] - The company emphasizes the importance of community collaboration to ensure homes remain safe, warm, and connected during winter [3] Group 3: Company Overview - Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., serving 8.6 million electric customers across several states and owning 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity [5] - The company also serves 1.7 million natural gas customers in multiple states [5] Group 4: Energy Transition Initiatives - Duke Energy is undergoing an ambitious energy transition focused on customer reliability and value, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation methods, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [6]

Core Viewpoint - The equity market serves as a significant mechanism for wealth creation or destruction over the long term, with Pacifica Yield focusing on undervalued high-growth companies, high-dividend stocks, REITs, and green energy firms [1] Group 1 - Pacifica Yield aims to pursue long-term wealth creation [1] - The strategy includes a focus on undervalued yet high-growth companies [1] - High-dividend tickers, REITs, and green energy firms are also key areas of interest [1]

Core Viewpoint - The equity market serves as a significant mechanism for wealth creation or destruction over the long term, with Pacifica Yield focusing on undervalued high-growth companies, high-dividend stocks, REITs, and green energy firms [1] Group 1 - Pacifica Yield aims to pursue long-term wealth creation [1] - The strategy includes a focus on undervalued yet high-growth companies [1] - High-dividend tickers, REITs, and green energy firms are also key areas of interest [1]