Duke Energy Corporation scores 23 for management and 41 for moat. The management score rests on a return on invested capital of 4.1% and a gross margin of 31.6% — figures that describe capital earning less than it costs to employ. Debt sits at 1.75x equity. The moderate moat and weak management are not the same judgement, and the gap between them is where the argument about this business sits.
The valuation runs on assumptions chosen to understate rather than flatter. Growth is modelled at 6.6% a year, below the 7.0% actually measured over the last decade — the model caps growth rather than extrapolating a good run forwards. The exit multiple assumed is 13.3x. That produces an intrinsic value of $41.67, a 10-CAP price of $58.46 and a payback time price of $63.16, with the value zone set at the highest of the three, $63.16. Today's price of $113.74 is 80% above it.
The price is above the value zone and the business scores 41 for moat and 23 for management. Neither test argues for paying up here.
| Price | $113.74 |
| Market cap | $88.7B |
| P/E ratio | 17.1x |
| Return on invested capital | 4.1% |
| Gross margin | 31.6% |
| Debt to equity | 1.75x |
| Free cash flow yield | -1.8% |
| Growth rate used | 6.6% |
| Growth rate measured | 7.0% |
| Exit multiple assumed | 13.3x |
| Company | Moat | Buy price |
| Southern Company (SO) | 38 | $48.47 |
| American Electric Power (AEP) | 73 | $138.49 |
| Consolidated Edison (ED) | 53 | $92.83 |
| Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG) | 47 | $49.34 |
Every number above is built on assumptions that can be changed. In Moatly you can move the growth rate, the exit multiple and the margin of safety and watch every figure recalculate, so you are testing your own view of Duke Energy Corporation rather than accepting ours.