Duke Energy initiated with an Outperform at Evercore ISI

Evercore ISI initiated coverage of Duke Energy (DUK) with an Outperform rating and $143 price target The firm is bullish on Duke’s growth potential given its premium-service state service territory, significant load growth pipeline and, as 90% of electric capex, is eligible for efficient-recovery mechanisms, alleviating seemingly all regulatory lag, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The Southeast – where Duke operates – is one of the fastest growing regions for data center expansion, while population growth within Duke’s service territories also remains among the strongest in the nation, the firm added.