Duke Energy Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/Y

Duke Energy Corporation's DUK fourth-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings of $1.66 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.61 by 3.1%. The bottom line also improved 9.9% from $1.51 per share reported in the year-ago quarter, driven by growth from rate increases and riders.Find the latest earnings estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.The company generated GAAP earnings of $1.54 per share compared with $1.27 in the fourth quarter of 2023.DUK reported adjusted earnings of $5.90 for 2024 compared with $5.56 per share in 2023, which reflects a year-over-year increase of 6.1%. However, the full-year bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.91 per share.DUK’s Total Revenues Total operating revenues came in at $7.36 billion, which rose 2.1% from $7.21 billion in the year-ago period. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.72 billion by 4.7%.The Regulated electric unit’s operating revenues were $6.53 billion, up 0.9% year over year, contributing 88.8% to the quarter’s total revenues.Revenues from the Regulated natural gas business totaled $741 million, up 13.1% year over year.The Non-regulated Electric and Other segment generated revenues of $85 million, which increased 6.3% year over year.DUK reported total revenues of $30.36 billion for 2024 compared with $29.06 billion in 2023, which reflects a year-over-year increase of 4.5%. However, the full-year top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $30.64 billion.Duke Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Duke Energy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Duke Energy Corporation QuoteHighlights of DUK’s Release Duke Energy’s total operating expenses amounted to $5.25 billion in the reported quarter, down 2.1% year over year. The decrease was primarily driven by lower expenses for fuel used in electric generation and purchased power, as well as operation, maintenance and other.The operating income increased 13.9% to $2.11 billion from $1.86 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter.Interest expenses rose to $871 million from $793 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.For the reported quarter, the average number of customers in its Electric Utilities increased 1.8% year over year. Total electric sales volumes for the reported quarter went up 0.8% year over year to 60,308 gigawatt-hours.DUK’s Segmental Highlights Electric Utilities & Infrastructure: This segment’s adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter totaled $1,238 million, up from $1,115 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.Gas Utilities & Infrastructure: Earnings generated from this segment totaled $231 million compared with $192 million in the year-ago period.Other: The segment includes corporate interest expenses not allocated to other business units, resulting from Duke Energy’s captive insurance company and other investments. This segment incurred a loss of $186 million compared with a loss of $133 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.Financial Condition of DUK As of Dec. 31, 2024, Duke Energy had cash & cash equivalents of $314 million, up from $253 million on Dec. 31, 2023.As of Dec. 31, 2024, the long-term debt was $76.34 billion compared with $72.45 billion on Dec. 31, 2023.During 2024, the company generated net cash from operating activities of $12.28 billion compared with $9.88 billion in the same period last year.2025 Guidance by DUK Duke Energy introduced its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance. The company expects to generate adjusted EPS in the range of $6.17-$6.42. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pegged at $6.33 per share, which is higher than the midpoint of the company’s projected range.DUK projects long-term EPS growth of 5-7% through 2029.DUK’s Zacks Rank Duke Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent Utility Releases NiSource NI reported fourth-quarter 2024 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 49 cents, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents by 4.3%. However, the bottom line decreased 7.5% from the year-ago quarter’s recorded figure of 53 cents.Operating revenues of $1.6 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 billion by 10%. The top line also increased 11.3% from the prior-year quarter’s figure of $1.44 billion.WEC Energy Group WEC reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings of $1.43 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44 by 0.7%. However, the bottom line increased 30% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.10.Operating revenues of $2.28 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.6 billion by around 12.1%. The top line increased 2.7% from $2.22 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter.Xcel Energy Inc. XEL reported fourth-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 81 cents per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 cents by 6.9%. The bottom line also decreased 2.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 83 cents.Revenues of $3.12 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.72 billion by 16.1%. The figure also declined 9.3% from the year-ago quarter’s $3.44 billion.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL): Free Stock Analysis Report NiSource, Inc (NI): Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Energy Corporation (DUK): Free Stock Analysis Report WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks