Duke Energy Corp vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? Duke Energy Corp trades at $124.6 (market cap $98.52B), while Vistra Corp trades at $160.3 (market cap $53.42B). The key difference: Duke Energy Corp is the larger of the two by market cap, and Duke Energy Corp pays the higher dividend (3.37%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DUK | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $98.52B | $53.42B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $133.46 | $217.92 |
52-Week Low | $113.99 | $134.71 |
Enterprise Value | $188.56B | $75.17B |
Dividend Yield | 3.37% | 0.58% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Duke Energy (DUK) trades at $126.86, up 1.1% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. The stock shows stable revenue growth, with 2025 revenue reaching $32.24B and net income of $4.97B, supported by a 15.49% net margin. Recent news highlights a dividend increase to $1.085 per share and strong institutional interest, with 37.5% of analysts rating it a Buy.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $136.60, offering ~7.7% upside. Risks include high debt levels (46.17% debt-to-asset ratio) and regulatory pressures, but the company's defensive utility profile and dividend reliability provide stability amid market volatility.
Vistra Corp. (VST) trades at $158.12, down 0.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings beating estimates, with revenue growth from $17.74B in 2025 to $19.4B projected for 2026. Net income margin improved to 11.52%, supported by robust cash flow from operations of $4.07B. Recent news highlights Vistra's positioning in the AI power demand surge and long-term power purchase agreements with major tech firms.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $230.50, implying significant upside. Key opportunities include exposure to growing electricity demand and strategic renewables focus. Risks involve power-price volatility, high debt levels, and execution of growth projects. Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish with 91% buy ratings, though investors should monitor Q2 2026 earnings due August 7 for confirmation of growth trajectory.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Duke Energy is one of the largest U.S. utilities, with regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky that deliver electricity to nearly 8 million customers. Its natural gas utilities serve more than 1.5 million customers. Duke operates in three major segments: electric utilities and infrastructure
Read more on DUK →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →