Stock Update (NYSE:DUK): Duke Energy donation gives a boost to education and jobs in Eastern North Carolina

[PR Newswire] – CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy Renewables has awarded $100,000 to the Center for Energy Education , a nonprofit organization whose mission encompasses research, education , and training workers for North Carolina’s growing solar industry . Created by the solar development company, Geenex, LLC, the nonprofit will be located at the former Halifax County Airport, near Roanoke Rapids, N.C., adjacent to the 20-megawatt Halifax Solar Power Project owned by Duke Energy Renewables. “Duke Energy Renewables’ support will enable us to take several big steps this year,” said Georg Veit, CEO of Geenex and chairman of the center’s board of directors. Read more on this. Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) , with a current value of $50.08B, began trading this morning at $72.17. Looking at today’s trading action, the company’s one day range from $71.83 to $72.80 with the price of the stock fluctuating between $65.50 to $89.58 over the last 52 weeks. DUK shares are currently priced at 15.84x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 8.51x earnings multiple for the same period. And for passive income investors, the company pays shareholders $3.30 per share annually in dividends, yielding 4.60%. According to a consensus of 18 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.90 per share would be $0.04 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.02 sequential decrease. In looking at the bigger picture, the full-year EPS estimate of $4.57 would be a $0.02 improvement when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $6.29 Billion. If reported, that would be a 13.13% increase over the year-ago quarter. Recently, BofA/Merrill upgraded DUK from Underperform to Neutral (Jan 12, 2016). Previously, Scotia Howard Weil Initiated DUK at to Sector Perform. The average price target for DUK shares by the analysts covering it is $73.58, which is 1.95% above where the stock opened. See more in (NYSE:DUK) Similar Articles: Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – North Carolina solar was hot in 2015; Duke Energy led the charge Stock Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas file with North Carolina Utilities Commission for acquisition approval Market Update: Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) – Duke Energy Renewables more than doubles its North Carolina solar portfolio