** BTIG downgrades U.S.-based LNG company New Fortress Energy NFE.O to "neutral" from "buy", maintains price target of $8

** NFE shares down 5.7% in premarket trading

** Brokerage expects the balance sheet to be an overhang on the stock

** BTIG says maintenance in Puerto Rico and Jamaica was a drag on Q1 terminal volumes (down ~25% sequentially) and, with Jamaica sold in May, it expects Q2 volumes to be messy

** Brokerage expects NFE to look to monetize other assets, including its Pacific terminals, Klondike, which includes developable land for data centers, or owned natural gas turbines

** 2 of 6 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 4 "hold"; median PT is $8 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, stock down 84.9% YTD

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)

((Pooja.Menon@thomsonreuters.com;))