** Brokerage Jefferies raises price target on utility firm NextEra Energy NEE.N to $85 from $77, maintains "hold" rating

** New price target represents a marginal upside to the stock's last close

** Brokerage sees NEE's 8% growth rate to extend beyond 2030, but adds it involves above-average risk for only modestly better returns

** Brokerage says its subsidiary NextEra Energy Resources is "well-positioned to benefit from the acceleration of renewables demand from the recent positive revisions to load growth projections driven by electrification and data centers"

** 13 of 21 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 7 "hold" and 1 "sell"; their median PT is $84 - data compiled by LSEG

** Up to last close, stock up 18% YTD

(Reporting by Pranav Mathur in Bengaluru)

((Pranav.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;))