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Enough top-performing CAPS investors have turned bullish on Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK ) recently to upgrade it from the four-star rank it has held for months to a top-notch five stars. A total of 1,198 investors have given their opinion on Duke Energy, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.
As one of the largest electric power holding companies in the U.S., Duke Energy prides itself on its ability to keep prices stable and competitive for its customers. It is also making big moves to go green with about 100 wind turbines it picked up from General Electric (NYSE: GE ) in December and the proposed installation of 20 megawatts of solar capacity in North Carolina. While the solar play is modest compared to the hundreds-of-megawatts deals that get providers like First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR ) and SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR ) excited, Duke also recently acquired renewable energy company Catamount Energy for $240 million.
Pursuing efficient expansion, Duke initiated a statewide “smart meter” project in Indiana, a move similar to one Exelon (NYSE: EXC ) and Itron (Nasdaq: ITRI ) have partnered up for in Philadelphia. It has also partnered in a joint venture with American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP ) to spend $1 billion on new extra-high voltage power lines in Indiana as well.
The company continues to post strong numbers, with second-quarter earnings of $351 million. With a good track record, 95% of CAPS members rating Duke Energy remain bullish.
To see what the very best CAPS members are saying now about Duke Energy -- as well as other winning stocks they are picking -- head on over to CAPS and have a look. The community research and resources in CAPS are totally free, unlike analyst opinions reserved for paying clients.
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