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Aug 05, 2009

CenterPoint Energy Reports Second Quarter 2009 Earnings

HOUSTON, Aug 05, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $86 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $101 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the second quarter of 2009 was $253 million compared to $297 million for the same period of 2008.

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"Despite the weak economy and changing energy markets, our business units continued to perform well," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our regulated electric and gas utilities turned in solid operating performances as did our pipeline and field services core operations. However, revenues from ancillary services declined from 2008 when we benefited from unusually high commodity prices. We continue to believe that the overall fundamentals of our balanced portfolio of electric and natural gas businesses remain strong and position us well as the economy recovers and the energy markets rebound."

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net income was $153 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $223 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $538 million compared to $633 million for the same period of 2008.

OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $162 million for the second quarter of 2009, consisting of $129 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $33 million related to transition bonds. Operating income for the second quarter of 2008 was $164 million, consisting of $129 million from the TDU and $35 million related to transition bonds. Operating income for the TDU benefited from growth of over 28,000 metered customers since June 2008 and higher net transmission revenues. Operating income for the second quarter of 2008 included a $9 million gain from a land sale.

As a result of the storm restoration cost recovery legislation enacted by the Texas Legislature in April 2009, the company recorded a regulatory asset of $41 million for carrying costs incurred through June 30, 2009, on amounts it spent for Hurricane Ike storm restoration. Of that amount, $14 million was reflected in the company's second quarter 2009 earnings, and the remaining $27 million will be recognized over the life of the storm cost recovery bonds the company expects to issue later this year.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $232 million, consisting of $166 million from the TDU and $66 million related to transition bonds. Operating income for the same period of 2008 was $255 million, consisting of $183 million from the TDU, $67 million related to transition bonds and $5 million from the competition transition charge (CTC). The CTC was discontinued in February 2008 when the company securitized the remaining true-up balance.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $2 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $4 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income benefited from rate increases and lower bad debt expense, which were more than offset by higher pension and other employee-related expenses. Due to seasonal impacts, this segment typically reports minimal earnings in the second quarter.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $120 million compared to $125 million for the same period of 2008.

Interstate Pipelines

The interstate pipelines segment reported operating income of $61 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $101 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the second quarter of 2008 included an $18 million gain from the sale of two storage development projects. Operating income benefited from higher revenue from the Carthage to Perryville pipeline and from new firm transportation contracts for gas-fired power generation, which were more than offset by a decline in ancillary services due to significantly lower commodity prices, as well as higher pension and other operation and maintenance expenses.

In addition to operating income, this business had equity income of $9 million for the second quarter of 2009 from its 50 percent interest in the Southeast Supply Header (SESH), a new pipeline that went into service in September 2008. In the second quarter of 2008, equity income was $10 million from pre-operating allowance for funds used during construction.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $130 million compared to $172 million for the same period of 2008. In addition to operating income, this business had equity income of $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, from its interest in SESH. In the first quarter of 2009, the company recorded a non-cash charge of $5 million to reflect SESH's decision to discontinue the use of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.71 - Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, equity income was $15 million from pre-operating allowance for funds used during construction.

Field Services

The field services segment reported operating income of $23 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $32 million for the same period of 2008. Solid growth in core gathering services was more than offset by the effect of lower natural gas and liquids prices, which declined from significantly higher levels in 2008.

In addition to operating income, this business had equity income of $2 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $4 million in the second quarter of 2008 from its 50 percent interest in a gas processing plant. The decline was due primarily to lower natural gas liquids prices.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $49 million compared to $77 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2008, included gains of $17 million associated with the settlement of a contractual dispute and the sale of non-strategic assets. Equity income from the jointly-owned gas processing plant was $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $8 million for the same period of 2008.

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

The competitive natural gas sales and services segment reported operating income of $6 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to an operating loss of $5 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the second quarter of 2009 included gains of $3 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives used to lock in economic margins of certain forward natural gas sales compared to charges of $10 million for the same period of 2008.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $8 million compared to $1 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2009, included charges of $16 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting compared to charges of $32 million for the same period of 2008. The six months ended June 30, 2009 also included $6 million in write-downs of inventory to the lower of average cost or market.

DIVIDEND DECLARATION

On July 23, 2009, CenterPoint Energy's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share of common stock payable on September 10, 2009, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 14, 2009.

OUTLOOK REAFFIRMED FOR 2009

CenterPoint Energy reaffirmed its 2009 earnings guidance of $1.05 to $1.15 per diluted share. This guidance takes into consideration various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which the company operates. The company has made certain assumptions regarding the timing and cost of certain financing activities and the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings, including recovery of costs associated with Hurricane Ike. The company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any of those proceedings. In providing this guidance, the company has not projected the impact of any changes in accounting standards, any impact from acquisitions or divestitures, the timing effects of mark-to-market or inventory accounting in the company's competitive natural gas sales and services business, or the outcome of the TDU's true-up appeal. The company has also excluded any impact to income from the change in value of Time Warner stocks and the related ZENS securities.

FILING OF FORM 10-Q FOR CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009. A copy of that report is available on the company's Web site, www.CenterPointEnergy.com, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and other documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found on that site.

WEBCAST OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

CenterPoint Energy's management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Central time or 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call at www.CenterPointEnergy.com. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the Web site for at least one year.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines, and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total nearly $19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this news release regarding future financial performance and results of operations and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the timing and outcome of appeals from the true-up proceedings, the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative, and IRS decisions, effects of competition, weather variations, changes in CenterPoint Energy's or its subsidiaries' business plans, financial market conditions, the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, the impact of unplanned facility outages, and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Form 10-Ks for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2009, CenterPoint Energy's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009, and other filings with the SEC.

    For more information contact
    Media:
    Leticia Lowe
    Phone    713-207-7702
    Investors:
    Marianne Paulsen
    Phone    713-207-6500

                     CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                         Statements of Consolidated Income
                               (Millions of Dollars)
                                    (Unaudited)

                                        Quarter Ended  Six Months Ended
                                          June 30,        June 30,
                                          --------        --------
                                         2008   2009   2008     2009
                                         ----   ----   ----     ----
    Revenues:
        Electric Transmission &
         Distribution                    $510   $521   $919     $933
        Natural Gas Distribution          726    518  2,426    1,939
        Competitive Natural Gas Sales
         and Services                   1,243    432  2,363    1,197
        Interstate Pipelines              192    155    325      308
        Field Services                     62     56    120      113
        Other Operations                    2      3      5        6
        Eliminations                      (65)   (45)  (125)     (90)
                                          ---    ---   ----      ---
            Total                       2,670  1,640  6,033    4,406
                                        -----  -----  -----    -----

    Expenses:
        Natural gas                     1,750    710  4,143    2,499
        Operation and maintenance         342    398    707      811
        Depreciation and amortization     188    188    346      354
        Taxes other than income taxes      93     91    204      204
                                          ---    ---    ---      ---
            Total                       2,373  1,387  5,400    3,868
                                        -----  -----  -----    -----
    Operating Income                      297    253    633      538
                                          ---    ---    ---      ---

    Other Income (Expense) :
        Gain (loss) on marketable
         securities                        17     55    (37)      21
        Gain (loss) on indexed debt
         securities                       (17)   (46)    33      (24)
        Interest and other finance
         charges                         (114)  (129)  (230)    (258)
        Interest on transition bonds      (35)   (33)   (68)     (66)
        Equity in earnings of
         unconsolidated affiliates         14     11     23       11
        Other - net                         -     18      4       22
                                          ---    ---    ---      ---
            Total                        (135)  (124)  (275)    (294)
                                         ----   ----   ----     ----

    Income Before Income Taxes            162    129    358      244

    Income Tax Expense                    (61)   (43)  (135)     (91)
                                          ---    ---   ----      ---

    Net Income                           $101    $86   $223     $153
                                         ====    ===   ====     ====

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                   CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
              Selected Data From Statements of Consolidated Income
            (Millions of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                 Quarter Ended    Six Months Ended
                                    June 30,          June 30,
                                    --------          --------
                                  2008     2009     2008    2009
                                  ----     ----     ----    ----
      Basic Earnings Per
       Common Share               $0.30    $0.24    $0.68   $0.44
                                  =====    =====    =====   =====

      Diluted Earnings Per
       Common Share               $0.30    $0.24    $0.66   $0.44
                                  =====    =====    =====   =====

      Dividends Declared per
       Common Share             $0.1825    $0.19   $0.365   $0.38

         Weighted Average
          Common Shares
          Outstanding (000):
          - Basic               331,354  352,461  329,316 346,660
          - Diluted             342,027  354,280  340,873 348,522


    Operating Income by Segment
    ----------------------------

      Electric Transmission &
       Distribution:
        Electric Transmission
         and Distribution
         Operations                $129     $129     $183    $166
        Competition Transition
         Charge                       -        -        5       -
                                    ---      ---      ---     ---
            Total Electric
             Transmission and
             Distribution
             Utility                129      129      188     166
        Transition Bond
         Companies                   35       33       67      66
                                    ---      ---      ---     ---
            Total Electric
             Transmission &
             Distribution           164      162      255     232
      Natural Gas Distribution        4        2      125     120
      Competitive Natural Gas
       Sales and Services            (5)       6        1       8
      Interstate Pipelines          101       61      172     130
      Field Services                 32       23       77      49
      Other Operations                1       (1)       3      (1)
                                    ---      ---      ---     ---

      Total                        $297     $253     $633    $538
                                   ====     ====     ====    ====

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                           CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                               Results of Operations by Segment
                                     (Millions of Dollars)
                                          (Unaudited)

                                 Electric Transmission & Distribution
                                 ------------------------------------
                             Quarter                      Six Months
                              Ended                         Ended
                             June 30,                      June 30,
                             --------     % Diff           --------    % Diff
                                            Fav/                         Fav/
                          2008      2009  (Unfav)      2008       2009 (Unfav)
                          ----      ----  -------      ----       ----  -----
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues:
        Electric
         transmission
         and
         distribution
         utility         $419       $432     3%        $765        $778    2%
        Transition
         bond
         companies         91         89    (2%)        154         155    1%
                          ---        ---                ---         ---
            Total         510        521     2%         919         933    2%
                          ---        ---                ---         ---

    Expenses:
        Operation and
         maintenance      167        181    (8%)        335         369  (10%)
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization      71         69     3%         137         137     -
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes             52         53    (2%)        105         106   (1%)
        Transition
         bond
         companies         56         56     -           87          89   (2%)
                          ---        ---                ---         ---
            Total         346        359    (4%)        664         701   (6%)
                          ---        ---                ---         ---
    Operating Income     $164       $162    (1%)       $255        $232   (9%)
                         ====       ====               ====        ====

    Operating Income:
        Electric
         transmission
         and
         distribution
         operations      $129       $129     -         $183        $166   (9%)
        Competition
         transition
         charge             -          -     -            5           - (100%)
        Transition
         bond
         companies         35         33    (6%)         67          66   (1%)
                          ---        ---                ---         ---
            Total
             Segment
             Operating
             Income      $164       $162    (1%)       $255        $232   (9%)
                         ====       ====               ====        ====

    Electric
     Transmission
     & Distribution
     Operating Data:
    Actual MWH
     Delivered
        Residential 6,774,069   6,831,444    1%  11,177,381  10,797,963   (3%)
        Total      20,359,540  19,840,955   (3%) 36,929,230  34,983,263   (5%)

    Weather (average
     for service area):
    Percentage of
     10-year average:
        Cooling
         degree days      111%        108%   (3%)        113%        109% (4%)
        Heating
         degree days       73%        112%   39%          95%         89% (6%)


    Number of
     metered
     customers -
    end of period:
        Residential 1,820,092   1,846,908     1%   1,820,092   1,846,908  1%
        Total       2,063,924   2,092,209     1%   2,063,924   2,092,209  1%



                                    Natural Gas Distribution
                                    ------------------------
                             Quarter                      Six Months
                              Ended                         Ended
                             June 30,                      June 30,
                             --------     % Diff           --------    % Diff
                                            Fav/                         Fav/
                          2008      2009  (Unfav)      2008       2009 (Unfav)
                          ----      ----  -------      ----       ----  -----
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues              $726       $518   (29%)    $2,426     $1,939   (20%)
                          ----       ----            ------     ------
    Expenses:
        Natural gas        512        295    42%      1,845      1,340    27%
        Operation and
         maintenance       141        152    (8%)       297        321    (8%)
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization       39         41    (5%)        78         81    (4%)
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes              30         28     7%         81         77     5%
                           ---        ---               ---        ---
            Total          722        516    29%      2,301      1,819    21%
                           ---        ---             -----      -----
    Operating Income        $4         $2   (50%)      $125       $120    (4%)
                           ===        ===              ====       ====

    Natural Gas Distribution
     Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
        Residential         20         20     -         104         98    (6%)
        Commercial and
         Industrial         47         43    (9%)       130        116   (11%)
                           ---        ---               ---        ---
            Total
             Throughput
                            67         63    (6%)       234        214    (9%)
                           ===        ===               ===        ===


    Weather (average for
     service area)
    Percentage of 10-year
     average:
        Heating degree
         days              113%       109%   (4%)       107%       103%   (4%)


    Number of customers -
     end of period:
        Residential  2,945,460  2,961,941     1%  2,945,460  2,961,941     1%
        Commercial and
         Industrial    250,993    241,875    (4%)   250,993    241,875    (4%)
                       -------    -------           -------    -------
            Total    3,196,453  3,203,816     -   3,196,453  3,203,816     -
                     =========  =========         =========  =========

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                  CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Results of Operations by Segment
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)


                       Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services
                       ------------------------------------------
                           Quarter                Six Months
                            Ended                   Ended
                           June 30,                June 30,
                           --------     % Diff     --------      % Diff
                                          Fav/                     Fav/
                         2008    2009   (Unfav)   2008   2009    (Unfav)
                         ----    ----   -------   ----   ----    -------
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues            $1,243    $432     (65%) $2,363 $1,197     (49%)
                        ------    ----           ------ ------
    Expenses:
        Natural gas      1,237     414      67%   2,342  1,166      50%
        Operation and
         maintenance        10      10       -       18     20     (11%)
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization        -       1       -        1      2    (100%)
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes               1       1       -        1      1       -
                           ---     ---              ---    ---
            Total        1,248     426      66%   2,362  1,189      50%
                         -----     ---            -----  -----
    Operating Income
     (Loss)                $(5)     $6     220%      $1     $8     700%
                           ===     ===              ===    ===

    Competitive Natural
     Gas Sales and
     Services Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in
     BCF                   129     114     (12%)    267    255      (4%)
                           ===     ===              ===    ===

    Number of
     customers - end
     of period           8,923  10,878      22%   8,923 10,878      22%
                         =====  ======            ===== ======



                                Interstate Pipelines
                                --------------------
                           Quarter                Six Months
                            Ended                   Ended
                           June 30,                June 30,
                           --------     % Diff     --------      % Diff
                                          Fav/                     Fav/
                         2008    2009   (Unfav)   2008   2009    (Unfav)
                         ----    ----   -------   ----   ----    -------
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues              $192    $155     (19%)   $325   $308      (5%)
                          ----    ----             ----   ----
    Expenses:
        Natural gas         58      34      41%      73     63      14%
        Operation and
         maintenance        16      41    (156%)     46     76     (65%)
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization       11      12      (9%)     23     24      (4%)
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes               6       7     (17%)     11     15     (36%)
                           ---     ---              ---    ---
            Total           91      94      (3%)    153    178     (16%)
                           ---     ---              ---    ---
    Operating Income      $101     $61     (40%)   $172   $130     (24%)
                          ====     ===             ====   ====


    Pipelines Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
        Transportation     361     390       8%     785    857       9%
                           ===     ===              ===    ===

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                   CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                       Results of Operations by Segment
                             (Millions of Dollars)
                                  (Unaudited)

                                       Field Services
                                       --------------
                                Quarter               Six Months
                                 Ended                  Ended
                                June 30,               June 30,
                                --------      % Diff   --------     % Diff
                                                Fav/                  Fav/
                               2008  2009     (Unfav) 2008 2009     (Unfav)
                               ----  ----     ------- ---- ----     -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                    $62   $56      (10%) $120  $113       (6%)
                                ---   ---            ----  ----
    Expenses:
        Natural gas               8    11      (38%)    6    18     (200%)
        Operation and
         maintenance             18    18        -     29    37      (28%)
        Depreciation and
         amortization             3     3        -      6     7      (17%)
        Taxes other than
         income taxes             1     1        -      2     2        -
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
            Total                30    33      (10%)   43    64      (49%)
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
    Operating Income            $32   $23      (28%)  $77   $49      (36%)
                                ===   ===             ===   ===


    Field Services Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
        Gathering               104   102       (2%)  202   206        2%
                                ===   ===             ===   ===



                                      Other Operations
                                      ----------------
                                Quarter               Six Months
                                 Ended                  Ended
                                June 30,               June 30,
                                --------      % Diff   --------     % Diff
                                                Fav/                  Fav/
                               2008  2009     (Unfav) 2008 2009     (Unfav)
                               ----  ----     ------- ---- ----     -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                     $2    $3       50%    $5    $6       20%
    Expenses                      1     4     (300%)    2     7     (250%)
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
    Operating Income (Loss)      $1   $(1)    (200%)   $3   $(1)    (133%)
                                ===   ===             ===   ===





                           Capital Expenditures by Segment
                                (Millions of Dollars)
                                     (Unaudited)

                                 Quarter             Six Months
                                  Ended                 Ended
                                June 30,              June 30,
                                --------              --------
                               2008  2009            2008  2009
                               ----  ----            ----  ----
    Capital Expenditures
     by Segment
        Electric Transmission
         & Distribution         $87  $108            $176  $189
        Hurricane Ike             -     2               -    18
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
          Total Electric
           Transmission &
           Distribution          87   110             176   207
        Natural Gas
         Distribution            56    43              94    77
        Competitive Natural
         Gas Sales and
         Services                 1     -               2     1
        Interstate Pipelines     42    27              70    74
        Field Services           28    66              46   104
        Other Operations          5     2              13     9
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
            Total              $219  $248            $401  $472
                               ====  ====            ====  ====



                               Interest Expense Detail
                                (Millions of Dollars)
                                    (Unaudited)

                                 Quarter              Six Months
                                  Ended                 Ended
                                 June 30,              June 30,
                                 --------              --------
                                2008  2009            2008  2009
                                ----  ----            ----  ----
    Interest Expense Detail
        Amortization of
         Deferred Financing
         Cost                    $6    $9             $12   $18
        Capitalization of
         Interest Cost           (4)   (1)             (7)   (3)
        Transition Bond
         Interest Expense        35    33              68    66
        Other Interest Expense  112   121             225   243
                                ---   ---             ---   ---
            Total Interest
             Expense           $149  $162            $298  $324
                               ====  ====            ====  ====

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                  CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)


                                                       December 31, June 30,
                                                           2008       2009
                                                           ----       ----
                                      ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                             $167       $151
      Other current assets                                 2,868      1,777
                                                           -----      -----
          Total current assets                             3,035      1,928
                                                           -----      -----

    Property, Plant and Equipment, net                    10,296     10,524
                                                          ------     ------

    Other Assets:
      Goodwill                                             1,696      1,696
      Regulatory assets                                    3,684      3,606
      Other non-current assets                               965        963
                                                             ---        ---
          Total other assets                               6,345      6,265
                                                           -----      -----
            Total Assets                                 $19,676    $18,717
                                                         =======    =======

                        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
      Short-term borrowings                                 $153        $75
      Current portion of transition bond long-term debt      208        211
      Current portion of other long-term debt                125        133
      Other current liabilities                            2,362      1,675
                                                           -----      -----
          Total current liabilities                        2,848      2,094
                                                           -----      -----

    Other Liabilities:
      Accumulated deferred income taxes, net and
       investment tax credit                               2,632      2,627
      Regulatory liabilities                                 821        874
      Other non-current liabilities                        1,172      1,254
                                                           -----      -----
          Total other liabilities                          4,625      4,755
                                                           -----      -----

    Long-term Debt:
      Transition bond                                      2,381      2,274
      Other                                                7,800      7,357
                                                           -----      -----
          Total long-term debt                            10,181      9,631
                                                          ------      -----

    Shareholders' Equity                                   2,022      2,237
                                                           -----      -----
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity     $19,676    $18,717
                                                         =======    =======

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



                 CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
               Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
                              (Millions of Dollars)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                 Six Months
                                                Ended June 30,
                                                 -----------
                                                 2008   2009
                                                 ----   ----

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
      Net income                                 $223   $153
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization             361    374
        Deferred income taxes                      12     78
        Write-down of natural gas inventory         -      6
        Changes in net regulatory assets           14     19
        Changes in other assets and liabilities   256    422
        Other, net                                  2      4
                                                  ---    ---
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities     868  1,056

    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities        (700)  (504)

    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities        (147)  (568)
                                                 ----   ----

    Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                   21    (16)

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
     Period                                       129    167

                                                 ----   ----
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period   $150   $151
                                                 ====   ====

    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
    contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.




SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

http://www.centerpointenergy.com

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