5 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy for Your Retirement Portfolio

4. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK)

Short Percentage of Float: 1.86%

On May 21, Morgan Stanley lowered its price recommendation on Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) to $132 from $141. It reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm said it updated price targets across the North American Regulated & Diversified Utilities and IPP sectors for April. The analyst also noted that utilities underperformed the broader S&P return during the month.

Earlier, on May 18, Truist analyst Richard Sunderland lowered the firm’s price goal on Duke Energy to $137 from $142. He maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The changes came as part of a broader research update on the Power and Utilities sector ahead of the American Gas Association’s Financial Forum. According to the analyst, the sector continues to benefit from rising investment tied to the ongoing data center wave, now entering its third year. Growth expectations have also continued to rise alongside those investments. The research note added that vertically integrated electric utilities are viewed as key beneficiaries as they build the infrastructure needed to support increasing power demand from data centers.

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is an energy holding company. The company operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I).