Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) First Take EPS Beat vs
- **EPS Beat & Regulatory Catalyst**: Q2 EPS beat ($1.43 vs.
- $1.34 consensus) driven by lower interest expense ($16), tax ($115), and minority interest ($115), with regulatory settlement (DEC, Jan 2027 rates) lifting stock overhang and reaffirmed 2026 guidance ($6.55–$6.80) and 5%–7% long-term CAGR.
- **Growth Execution Focus**: Key upside from generation expansion (6 GW turbines by 2031) and data center growth (7.8 GW under ESAs, 5.2 GW under construction), capturing rising demand.
- **Valuation Gap & Upside**: Goldman Sachs' $145 target (16.7% upside from $124.28) supported by revenue/EBITDA growth (revenue: $32.2B → $38.7B; EBITDA: $15.7B → $20.7B by 2028E) and rising EPS ($6.32 → $7.93).