UPDATE: Jefferies Reiterates Hold Rating, Raises PT on NextEra Energy

In a report published Wednesday, Jefferies reiterated its Hold rating on NextEra Energy

, and raised its price target from $71.00 to $74.00. Jefferies noted, “NextEra announced strong 4Q12 EPS of $1.03 versus FC Consensus of $0.96 and Jefferies estimate of $0.95. The beat was primarily due to a $0.04 benefit from gas infrastructure that we assumed was a negative. The company also provided 2013 EPS guidance of $4.70-$5.00 which compares to FC Consensus of $4.94 and our estimate of $4.85.” NextEra Energy closed on Tuesday at $72.40.