• Sean Williams at The Motley Fool breaks down three big factors that are likely to color Duke Energy's future.
• Williams highlights Duke's long-in-the-making merger with Progress Energy, as well as their $2.5 billion investment over five years in wind farms and the importance of dividends for investors.
• He also notes Duke's commitment to close coal plants and its reliance on hydroelectric power as a key part of its renewable energy strategy.

From the article:

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK ) is an electrical utility that supplies power to approximately 4 million residential, general service, and industrial customers within the United States. Duke primarily derives its electrical-generating capabilities from natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and coal. Duke also has an international segment which markets electrical power, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. ...