** Mizuho Securities raises energy co Diversified Energy DEC.N PT to $27 from $23, maintains "outperform" rating

** New PT implies nearly 82% upside to stock's last close

** Brokerage says the $550 mln Canvas Energy acquisition offers cash margin uplift even before assuming potential operating cost synergies

** Company is only issuing about 3.4 mln shares, which represents nearly 4% of current shares outstanding; thus, current shareholders should benefit from free cash flow per share accretion - Mizuho

** 5 of 6 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and 1 rates it "hold; their median PT is $19 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, stock down nearly 12% YTD

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru)

((Dharna.bafna@thomsonreuters.com))