Release Date: May 06, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Duke Energy Corp (DUK, Financial) reported a strong start to the year with first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.76, a 22% increase over the previous year.
• The company received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license for its Oconee nuclear station for an additional 20 years, ensuring long-term power supply.
• Duke Energy Corp (DUK) is advancing its all-of-the-above strategy by investing in new generation projects, including combined cycle units and solar and battery storage projects.
• The company is on track to achieve its 2025 earnings guidance range of $6.17 to $6.42 and maintains a long-term EPS growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2029.
• Duke Energy Corp (DUK) announced a strategic partnership with GE Vernova to secure up to 19 natural gas turbines, ensuring timely delivery of critical infrastructure to meet growing customer needs.

Negative Points

• Higher interest expenses and depreciation partially offset the growth in the Electric Utilities & Infrastructure segment.
• The company faces potential impacts from tariffs, estimated to affect 1% to 3% of its five-year capital plan.
• Duke Energy Corp (DUK) is issuing $1 billion of common equity this year, which could dilute existing shareholders.
• The merger of DEC and DEP utilities, while beneficial, will take time, with an effective date targeted for January 2027.
• Economic and policy uncertainties, including tariffs and global supply chain issues, pose potential risks to industrial customer activity levels.

Q & A Highlights

Q: With the reaffirmation of your guidance and the signing of more agreements, when can we expect to see updates on incremental CapEx opportunities above your base plan? A: Harry Sideris, President & CEO, mentioned that Duke Energy recently updated its plan to $83 billion over the next five years, with half allocated to the grid and half to generation build. Updates will be provided as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) in the Carolinas is updated and as the pipeline continues to grow. Brian Savoy, CFO, added that capital updates are typically provided annually in February unless a significant catalyst arises.

Q: Regarding credit metrics, when can we expect more specificity around target ranges within the plan? A: Brian Savoy, CFO, stated that Duke Energy is continuously improving its credit profile and growing operating cash flow. The company is evaluating its credit metrics and may provide a more defined targeted range in the next update cycle, potentially in February.

Q: How does the recent signing of 1 gigawatt of data center deals in April impact your load growth expectations? A: Harry Sideris, President & CEO, explained that the pipeline remains robust and the company is accelerating projects through its process. The 1 gigawatt signed is part of the existing plans, and Duke Energy is confident in its ability to manage the pipeline and meet future growth needs.

Q: Can you provide more details on the financial implications of the proposed merger between DEC and DEP? A: Harry Sideris, President & CEO, highlighted that the merger is expected to generate over $1 billion in savings for customers, focusing on operational and fuel savings, and reducing regulatory proceedings. The merger is planned to be finalized by January 2027, pending regulatory approvals.

Q: What is Duke Energy's stance on the potential impact of tariffs on its capital plan? A: Brian Savoy, CFO, noted that tariffs primarily affect capital, but the majority of Duke Energy's capital spend is on American labor, which is not subject to tariffs. The estimated impact of tariffs is about 1% to 3% of the five-year capital plan, and the company is confident in minimizing this impact through its diverse supply chain.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.