Duke Energy Corp vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Duke Energy Corp trades at $123.05 (market cap $96.05B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.17 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Duke Energy Corp and Waste Management, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Duke Energy Corp pays the higher dividend (3.52%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DUK | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $96.05B | $90.68B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $133.46 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $113.99 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $188.56B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 3.52% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Duke Energy (DUK) trades at $121.19, down 2.93% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $1.43 per share, beating estimates, and maintains solid fundamentals with a 15.78% net income margin. Recent news highlights operational challenges from storms affecting customers but also strategic initiatives like a $35 million equity units offering and data center growth opportunities.
The outlook is mixed; fundamentals are robust with consistent earnings beats and a healthy dividend, but technical weakness and high debt levels pose risks. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $136.17 price target, suggesting cautious optimism for long-term investors amid near-term volatility.
WM trades at $226.6, down 0.47% over 24 hours, with a bullish technical signal and support near $226. The stock shows strong profitability with a 40.6% gross margin and 11.12% net margin, though its P/E of 59.74 is elevated. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations at $2.02 per share, and analyst consensus is a buy with a $263.43 price target. Cash flow from operations grew to $6.04B in 2025, but net cash flow was negative $190M due to investments.
Outlook is positive with revenue growth and margin stability, but risks include high valuation and debt levels. The stock offers upside to the consensus target, supported by institutional confidence and consistent earnings beats, though investors should monitor volume trends and interest rate impacts on borrowing costs.
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →