13 Best Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Right Now

3. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62

Stock Upside: 6.08%

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is one of the best infrastructure stocks to buy right now. On February 11, Goldman Sachs lifted its price target on Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) to $142 from $141 while retaining a Buy rating.

​Goldman focused on Duke’s updated five-year capital investment blueprint totaling $103 billion. The blueprint is a jump from the prior $87 billion forecast, and, according to Duke, it is set to drive 9.6% compound annual rate base expansion through 2030.

The bank noted that Duke’s management reiterated EPS growth guidance of 5%-7% annually through 2030. They expect the acceleration toward the top half beginning in 2028, fueled by data center contributions. Goldman viewed this outlook as conservative and projected closer to 8% average EPS advancement over the horizon. This growth, said the bank, will be bolstered by potential for stronger-than-expected electricity demand growth.

On the same day, that is February 11, BTIG analyst Alex Kania reaffirmed a Buy rating and $141 price target on Duke. Kania pointed to Duke’s Q4 adjusted EPS of $1.50 that nearly matched BTIG and consensus estimates of $1.49. This performance underscores Duke’s reliable history of hitting targets and delivering on strategy, stated Kania.

Kania also praised Duke’s expansions to its generation assets and Energy Supply Agreement backlog, paired with a “de-risked approach” to data center development plans. Although he flagged the updated financing strategy, doubling equity issuances, as “an area worth monitoring,” Kania upheld optimism on overall execution.

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based electric power holding company. It operates a diverse portfolio of generation assets, including nuclear, coal, natural gas, hydro, solar, and battery storage.