UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 2, 2026

Commission file number	Registrant, State of Incorporation or Organization, Address of Principal Executive Offices and Telephone Number	IRS Employer Identification No.
1-32853	DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION (a Delaware corporation) 525 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 800-488-3853	20-2777218
1-04928	DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS, LLC (a North Carolina limited liability company) 525 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 800-488-3853	56-0205520

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 2, 2026, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (“DEC”) reached a partial settlement (the “Stipulation”) with the Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission (the “Public Staff”) in connection with DEC's application for adjustment of rates and charges and for Performance Based Regulation (“PBR”) filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (“NCUC”) on November 20, 2025. Testimony consistent with the Stipulation will be filed next week. The Stipulation includes, among other things, agreement on certain operating and maintenance costs and project-specific capital expenditures, rider mechanisms, and accounting adjustments.

The Stipulation does not include an agreement on return on equity, capital structure, certain capital investments including the overall Multi-Year Rate Plan capital program, depreciation and decommissioning, storm-related cost recovery, or performance incentive mechanisms, among other items.

The Stipulation will result in a one-time pre-tax accounting charge of approximately $10 million, to be recognized in the second quarter of 2026.

An overview providing additional detail on the Stipulation is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1. The information in Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)       Exhibits.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.