Duke Energy again named by Fortune one of World's Most Admired Companies™

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) was named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 2026, ranking No. 3 among 15 electric and gas utilities (up from No. 4) and marking its ninth consecutive year on the list. The recognition cites improved industry rankings across most reputation attributes.

Key metrics in the announcement include avoiding 2.2 million customer outages in 2025, saving 5.2 million outage hours, nearly 75% customer coverage with self-healing grid tech, philanthropic investments of $34.2 million since 2016, and plans to add 13 GW and invest $35 billion in grid modernization over five years.

Positive

• Rank improved to No. 3 among 15 electric and gas utilities (up one spot)
• 13 GW of new generation capacity planned over next five years
• Planned $35 billion investment in grid modernization over five years
• 2.2 million customer outages avoided in 2025, saving 5.2 million hours

Negative

• Planned $35 billion grid investment over five years represents a large capital commitment
• Nearly 25% of customers remain outside self-healing grid coverage (based on 75% covered)

News Market Reaction – DUK

+0.98%

1 alert

+0.98% News Effect

On the day this news was published, DUK gained 0.98%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

• Duke Energy strengthens reputation across nearly every key attribute, rising to No. 3 in utility rankings

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the World's Most Admired Companies for 2026.

The big picture: Fortune ranked Duke Energy No. 3 among electric and gas utilities on the magazine's World's Most Admired Companies list for 2026 – up from No. 4 last year and marking the company's ninth consecutive year on the list.

Why it matters: The recognition reflects growing confidence in Duke Energy's leadership as the company modernizes the grid, meets rising customer demand and navigates a historic period of transformation for the energy industry.

By the numbers

• No. 3 of 15 electric and gas utilities (up one spot year over year)
• Top four utilities for the fifth straight year
• Improved industry ranking across almost every reputation attribute

Our view: "This recognition reflects the trust we've earned from our customers by delivering reliable energy today, while forging into the future with innovative solutions, smarter grids, and next-generation technology, all while keeping costs as low as possible," said Harry Sideris, president and CEO of Duke Energy. "I'm incredibly proud of our employees, whose leadership and commitment continue to move our company and the communities we serve forward as we meet this moment of growing energy demand."

Fortune's methodology: The annual rankings are based on surveys of thousands of executives, directors and industry analysts measuring how companies perform – and lead – across nine reputation criteria, including innovation, financial soundness, quality of products and services and global competitiveness.

Where Duke Energy is focused

• Reliability: Smart, self-healing grid technology helped avoid 2.2 million customer outages in 2025, saving 5.2 million hours of total outage time across Duke Energy's six-state service area. Nearly 75% of customers now benefit from self-healing technology.
• Resilience: Duke Energy Foundation, together with Duke Energy and its employees, have invested more than $34.2 million to nonprofts since 2016 to support community resilience, emergency preparedness and disaster relief.
• Future-ready infrastructure: Over the next five years, Duke Energy plans to add more than 13 gigawatts of new generation capacity (enough to power nearly 10 million homes) and invest more than $35 billion in grid modernization, supporting reliability and customer value while also contributing to the decarbonization of our system.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

Contact: Madison McDonald
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

Why was Duke Energy (DUK) named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies in 2026?

Because Duke Energy ranked No. 3 among electric and gas utilities, showing improved reputation metrics. According to the company, surveys of executives, directors and industry analysts rated performance across nine criteria, including innovation, financial soundness and product quality.

What reliability improvements did Duke Energy report in the Feb. 5, 2026 announcement for DUK?

Duke Energy avoided 2.2 million customer outages and saved 5.2 million hours of outage time in 2025. According to the company, nearly 75% of customers now benefit from self-healing grid technology across its six-state service area.

How much is Duke Energy (DUK) planning to invest in grid modernization and generation capacity?

Duke Energy plans to invest more than $35 billion in grid modernization and add over 13 GW of generation capacity over the next five years. According to the company, these investments target reliability, customer value and decarbonization efforts.

How many customers and how much capacity does Duke Energy (DUK) serve today?

Duke Energy serves about 8.6 million electric customers and owns 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. According to the company, its natural gas utilities serve about 1.7 million customers across multiple states.

What community and resilience investments did Duke Energy report in the 2026 announcement?

Duke Energy Foundation and employees have invested more than $34.2 million to nonprofits since 2016 for resilience and disaster relief. According to the company, these funds support emergency preparedness and community recovery programs.