Duke Energy Corp (DUK)

Duke Energy (DUK) is a diversified energy company with presence in both natural gas and electric businesses. These businesses operate in regulated as well as unregulated markets. It also has an affiliated real estate business, which is a highly profitable venture. The company has a fleet of electricity generation assets that include nuclear generating stations, coal-fired stations, hydroelectric stations and combustion turbine units. With the addition of Cinergy Corp., the generating capability of DUK has reached approximately 29,000 megawatts.

DUK is divesting its money-losing non-core assets and has recently finished the sale of its commercial marketing and trading business. This will help it in focusing on its core business. The company’s regulated utility and gas transmission assets contribute a lion’s share in its earnings, thanks to the utility's low-cost coal and nuclear generation. DUK's other businesses are embedded with higher risk. However, they have shown strong results in the past. Nevertheless, the recent up-swing in coal prices could pose as a barrier to the profitability of DUK’s regulated utility. We say so, eyeing the fact that the utility is operating under the frozen rate regime until the end of 2007.

The recent proposed project of a 1,600-mile gas pipeline and investments worth $2 billion in new coal-fired power plant are expected to prove fruitful for the company. Retraction by Public Utility Holding Company Act to divest the highly profitable real estate division will act as a boon for DUK. Additionally, the company’s search for a joint venture partner for this business will help in freeing up capital for its other businesses. We believe that the company’s business strategy will lift the stock to new highs.

This stock is my largest holding , at this price w/ a 5.2% yield I added to my position today . I like the fact they are going heavy and hard into wind . They are a well run safe long term investment . Very diversifed utility .

Buy for the dividend, not growth

Sector Play - The utility sector is out of favor as a result of rising Inflation. Regulated prices make it hard on utilities to pass through rising costs to customers.

-- Prophet of Portsmouth

DUK is an energy company focusing on growth while paying a nice dividend. The dividend reinvestment aspect and the low cost of power production make the company a winner for the long-term.

Nuclear Power.
Spun-off the gas divisions. This is where I want to be.
The true value being unlocked will be reflected in this vehicle over the next 5 years.

DUK will become one of the first 6 nuclear plays in the US...with very large subsidizing.
(exc, etr, so, d are also options...)

Underappreciated power company

This company has remained in our portfolio since my mother-in-law gave us some of shares of Public Service Indiana many, many years ago. Many years ago, Public Service Indiana merged with Cinergy. A few years ago, Cinergy merged with Duke. Because the shares were a gift from her mother, my wife made me promise to never sell them. Looking back, I can't complain. PSI-

DUK is an efficiently run company and their customer base is growing. They are able to control their costs while serving additional levels of power output.

Its an energy stock. Enough said

the book value and earning should value this stock at 30.00 when you compare it to similar companies

Duke is still suffering from some very bad decissions made during the Enron years and is digging its way from under a huge debt load, $15.5B. I normally shy away from high debt companies, but DUK's current management team seems to have a plan and making it work. Muck of their business is regulated power, and they will make a profit to that. they also are operating nuclear plants that are written off from deprication and producing power for 1/5 the cost of any other fuel. Their new shift to sustainable power production is going in the right direction, although it may be a while before that is profitable unless government regulations force all power companies to follow suit. The 6.3% dividend makes it easier to wait for good things in the future.

This is an energy stock with a lot of growth potential. Everyone needs energy, be it electricity or natural gas or propane. This company has a great infrastructure and is poised for growth. It has a nice dividend and I only see energy use in this country climbing.

Spun off Gas business, its focus is on electricity
only with that in mine they are agressive in the coal fired plant therory as well as Nuclear ambitions looking out. This company will provide consistent returns and yields 4.50 %

Chosen to be a part of the High Yield Portfolio strategy. Originally created by Fool UK's Stephen Bland (TMFPyad) in November 2000, the High-Yield Portfolio (HYP) strategy invests in a diversified group of 15 blue chip dividend-paying stocks with strong dividend cover, relatively low debt, and a history of increasing dividend payouts. The holding period is theoretically forever -- unless a stock is bought out or cuts its dividend.

Sound crazy? Well, the point of the portfolio is not necessarily for capital gains (although that's certainly a bonus), but to produce increasing amounts of annual dividend income. Daily price fluctuations matter not -- it's the income that matters -- so it removes emotional trading from the picture entirely. Doubters should note that the original UK HYP from November 2000 returned 68% through December 2007 (while the FTSE 100 lost 8%). What's more, the portfolio income payout increased 29% over that seven year period, from 3,451 pounds to 4,462 pounds per year.

Solid management. Spinning off the gas side will allow the team to focus on the rest of the business. Solid, long-time dividend is a plus, as the price itself might not appreciate much. However, it is a favorite of the BMW Method board and has been recently at a low on those kinds of charts. Reversion to the mean might continue to drive it back upwards over the next few years.

one of the strongest utilities. the spin off of the gas unit will propel it forward

growth and good income

Technicals show we are in for possible 2 more yrs of bear market... So looking at beaten down stocks with high dividends like Duke -- how can you go wrong ? -- Im going to watch till end of week then hopefully pull trigger in real time ...