Jefferies Remains Cautious on NextEra Energy (NEE) As Eyes Turn to Execution

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) is included in our list of the best AI energy stocks to buy now.

On January 14, 2026, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) saw Jefferies slightly lower its price target from $88 to $87, while reiterating a ‘Hold’ rating. The firm’s target reduction was attributed to valuation discipline rather than a shift in fundamentals. Furthermore, Jefferies expressed confidence in management’s goal to achieve 8%+ EPS growth. In 2026, the firm cites large data center-related power contracts as the key catalyst for the stock. Moreover, the firm sees no meaningful new disclosures in the upcoming fourth-quarter earnings call, as strategic updates have already been digested at the December Investor Day. Thus, Jefferies is more focused on execution rather than short-term narrative shifts.

Meanwhile, on the execution front, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) and Meta Platforms finalized roughly 2.5 GW of clean energy agreements across 13 projects. Spanning PPAs and energy storage agreements across ERCOT, SPP, MISO, and New Mexico, the contracts are expected to come online between 2026 and 2028. The move reinforces the company’s positioning as a leading partner for hyperscalers scaling power-intensive data centers.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), a leading U.S. renewable power company, operates the regulated Florida utility FPL and its energy infrastructure arm, NEER. The company is focused on wind, solar, and battery storage avenues.

While we acknowledge the potential of NEE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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