** Utility CenterPoint Energy CNP.N reported a rise in Q4 profit on Thursday and increased its 10-year capital expenditure plan to improve grid resiliency in response to the surging power demand

** 5 of 18 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 12 "hold" and 1 "sell" or lower; their median PT is $34.25 - data compiled by LSEG

ANTICIPATES FURTHER INCREASE IN CAPEX PLAN

** Scotiabank ("Sector Perform," PT: 35) expects a sizable step-up to the capital expenditure plan later this year

** "We see additional regulatory and financial catalysts through the year," - brokerage adds

** BMO Capital Markets ("Market Perform,") raises PT to $35 from $33, says management has executed well in 2024 through the development of a longer-term investment plan that should benefit customers and shareholders long run

** Guggenheim ("Neutral,") raises PT to $35 from $33 sees a promising update on potential growth with regulatory approvals, an increase in load leading to more spending on transmission and resiliency spending accelerating

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru)

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