U.S. electric utility giant Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) posted consensus-beating earnings for the third quarter as rates and retail sales volumes increased. Duke Energy on Friday reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81 for the third quarter, up by 11% from the same period a year earlier. The earnings also beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.75 per share. The higher earnings for the third quarter “were driven by the implementation of new rates and riders, along with higher retail sales volumes,”…