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Nov 09, 2004

CenterPoint Energy Reports Third Quarter 2004 Results

HOUSTON, Nov 9, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported a net loss of $1.1 billion, or $3.66 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2004 compared to net income of $182 million, or $0.59 per diluted share for the same period of 2003.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO )

The net loss for the third quarter of 2004 was primarily related to two major events. First, the company recorded an $894 million extraordinary charge to earnings. This charge reflects a write-down of the company's generation-related regulatory assets resulting from the Public Utility Commission of Texas' (PUC) deliberations in the proceeding to determine the company's stranded investment and other true-up amounts filed pursuant to the Texas electric restructuring law. Second, due to the pending sale of the company's interest in Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TGN), the company recorded a $259 million net loss from discontinued operations and reclassified the electric generation segment as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Net income for the third quarter of 2003 included $35 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, of income from discontinued operations.

Income from continuing operations was $17 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $147 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2003. The third quarter of 2003 included after-tax income of $144 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, related to Excess Cost Over Market (ECOM) revenues which terminated as of December 31, 2003, in accordance with the Texas electric restructuring law.

"We're very disappointed in the estimated recovery amount from our true-up proceeding pending before the Texas Public Utility Commission," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "However, we're pleased that the sale of Texas Genco is progressing well, and we will de-leverage the company with the proceeds from the sale and the ultimate securitization of the approved true-up balance. We continue to execute the strategy that we developed when we formed CenterPoint Energy a little over two years ago -- namely, reducing our debt and optimizing and enhancing our core energy delivery businesses. We're making good progress."

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the company recorded a net loss of $1 billion, or $3.25 per diluted share, which included a $154 million net loss from discontinued operations resulting from the pending sale of Texas Genco and the $894 million extraordinary charge to earnings from the write- down of generation-related regulatory assets. Net income for the same period of 2003 was $413 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, which included $52 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, of income from discontinued operations.

Income from continuing operations was $43 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $362 million, or $1.18 per share for the same period of 2003. The nine months ended September 30, 2003 included after-tax, ECOM-related income of $296 million, or $0.97 per diluted share.

    THIRD QUARTER 2004 HIGHLIGHTS

True-Up Proceeding

On March 31, 2004, the company filed its true-up application with the PUC, marking one of the final steps in the implementation of the Texas electric restructuring law. In this application the company is seeking to recover a true-up balance of $3.7 billion, excluding interest. Although a final order has not been issued, based on deliberations by the PUC commissioners during six public meetings, the company estimates that it will recover approximately $2.0 billion of its requested amount, excluding interest which will be recorded once a final determination has been made by the PUC. Consequently, the company recorded an $894 million extraordinary loss in the quarter. Once the PUC issues a final order, the extraordinary loss may be adjusted.

Sale of Texas Genco

On July 21, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and Texas Genco announced a definitive agreement for GC Power Acquisition LLC, a newly formed entity owned in equal parts by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Hellman & Friedman LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. and Texas Pacific Group, to acquire Texas Genco for approximately $3.65 billion in cash. The transaction, subject to certain regulatory approvals, will be accomplished in two steps. The first step, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2004, involves Texas Genco's purchase of the 19 percent of its shares owned by the public for $47 per share, followed by GC Power Acquisition's purchase of a Texas Genco subsidiary that will then own Texas Genco's coal, lignite and gas-fired generation plants. In the second step of the transaction, expected to take place in the first half of 2005 following Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval, GC Power Acquisition will complete the acquisition of Texas Genco, the principal remaining asset of which will then be Texas Genco's interest in the South Texas Project nuclear facility. Total cash proceeds to CenterPoint Energy from both steps of the transaction will be approximately $2.9 billion for its 81 percent interest in Texas Genco. After-tax proceeds are estimated to be approximately $2.5 billion.

    OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT DETAILED

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $178 million in the third quarter of 2004, consisting of $169 million for the regulated transmission and distribution utility (TDU) and $9 million for the transition bond company, which is an amount sufficient to pay interest on the transition bonds. Results for the third quarter of 2004 do not include any revenues related to ECOM which terminated as of December 31, 2003 in accordance with the Texas electric restructuring law. Operating income for the same period of 2003 totaled $383 million, consisting of $151 million for the TDU, $10 million for the transition bond company and $222 million of non- cash income associated with ECOM.

The TDU continues to benefit from solid customer growth as nearly 51,000 metered customers were added since September 2003. Increased operation and maintenance expenses from environmental remediation costs and increased transmission payments were more than offset by a land sale.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $390 million, consisting of $361 million for the TDU and $29 million for the transition bond company. Operating income for the same period of 2003 totaled $823 million, consisting of $339 million for the TDU, $29 million for the transition bond company and $455 million of non-cash income associated with ECOM.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported an operating loss of $2 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to an operating loss of $5 million for the same period of 2003. Due to seasonal impacts, operating results for the third quarter in this segment are typically the weakest of the year.

Continued customer growth, with the addition of over 45,000 customers since September 2003, and higher revenues from rate increases more than offset increased operating expenses.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $137 million, compared to $146 million for the same period of 2003.

Pipelines and Gathering

The pipelines and gathering segment reported operating income of $35 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $39 million for the same period of 2003. Increased transportation and gas gathering margins were more than offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses primarily related to pipeline integrity expenditures and litigation settlement costs.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $123 million compared to $124 million for the same period of 2003.

Other Operations

The company's other operations reported an operating loss of $4 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to operating income of $1 million for the same period of 2003.

The operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $17 million compared to an operating loss of $16 million for the same period of 2003.

OTHER

Interest expense incurred for the third quarter of 2004 was $206 million compared to $238 million for the same period of 2003. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 87-24, "Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations", the company reclassified interest to discontinued operations of Texas Genco according to the terms for debt repayment in the respective credit facilities in effect for each period. After reflecting the reclassification of interest expense to discontinued operations and interest incurred by discontinued operations of $14 million for the third quarter of 2004 and $54 million for the same period of 2003, interest expense related to continuing operations was $192 million in 2004 and $184 million in 2003.

Interest expense incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, was $621 million in 2004 compared to $712 million for the same period of 2003. After reflecting the reclassification of interest expense to discontinued operations and interest incurred by discontinued operations of $38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and $181 million for the same period of 2003, interest expense related to continuing operations was $583 million for 2004 and $531 million for the same period of 2003.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Due to the pending sale of the company's interest in Texas Genco, the electric generation segment has been reclassified as discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2004. As a result of the sale, the company recorded a $253 million loss related to the sale of Texas Genco and an additional loss of $93 million offsetting the company's 81 percent interest in Texas Genco's third quarter 2004 earnings. Until the sale of Texas Genco is complete, the company's interest in any Texas Genco earnings will be offset by an increased loss on the pending sale. Income from Texas Genco presented in discontinued operations was $87 million for the quarter and $36 million for the same period of 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, income from Texas Genco presented in discontinued operations was $192 million for 2004 and $66 million for the same period of 2003. These operations are presented as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", for all periods presented.

FOURTH QUARTER DIVIDEND

The Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy has not yet taken up the matter of a cash dividend for the fourth quarter, but is expected to do so at its meeting later in November.

WEBCAST OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

The management of CenterPoint Energy will host an earnings conference call on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. Central time. Interested parties may listen to a live, audio broadcast of the conference call at http://www.CenterPointEnergy.com/investors/events . A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call, and will be archived on CenterPoint Energy's 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 and sales, interstate pipeline and gathering operations, and more than 14,000 megawatts of power generation in Texas, of which approximately 2,500 megawatts are currently in mothball status. The company serves nearly five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total over $19 billion. With more than 11,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at http://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 the true-up proceeding and any legal proceedings related thereto, the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions, successful consummation and timing of the sale of Texas Genco, 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 period ended December 31, 2003, Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                  CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                    Statements of Consolidated Operations
                            (Thousands of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                    Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,           September 30,
                                   2004       2003        2004        2003
                                 --------   --------    --------    --------

    Revenues:
      Electric Transmission &
       Distribution              $446,130   $653,438   $1,149,283  $1,582,613
      Natural Gas Distribution  1,148,548    897,392    4,524,865   3,912,719
      Pipelines and Gathering     107,870     89,083      323,670     319,907
      Other Operations              2,592      7,615        8,372      25,867
      Eliminations                (38,051)   (39,594)    (113,311)   (168,514)
        Total                   1,667,089  1,607,934    5,892,879   5,672,592

    Expenses:
      Fuel and cost of gas sold   928,189    681,888    3,700,679   3,073,652
      Operation and maintenance   317,486    298,814      928,556     910,274
      Depreciation and
       amortization               125,528    119,472      361,820     350,547
      Taxes other than income
       taxes                       89,151     90,129      269,315     260,889
        Total                   1,460,354  1,190,303    5,260,370   4,595,362
    Operating Income              206,735    417,631      632,509   1,077,230

    Other Income (Expense):
      Gain (loss) on Time
       Warner investment          (31,161)   (21,207)     (40,033)     43,497
      Gain (loss) on indexed
       debt securities             34,117     17,040       43,240     (38,510)
      Interest and other
       finance charges           (182,701)  (173,822)    (554,658)   (501,107)
      Interest on transition
       bonds                       (9,495)    (9,811)     (28,716)    (29,495)
      Other - net                   1,310      2,688       15,243      11,846
        Total                    (187,930)  (185,112)    (564,924)   (513,769)

    Income from Continuing
     Operations Before
     Income Taxes and
     Extraordinary Loss            18,805    232,519       67,585     563,461

    Income Tax Expense             (2,174)   (85,544)     (24,781)   (201,699)

    Income from Continuing
     Operations Before
     Extraordinary Loss            16,631    146,975       42,804     361,762

    Discontinued Operations:
      Income from Texas Genco,
       net of tax                 108,768     51,753      240,689     104,580
      Minority Interest related
       to Texas Genco, net of
       tax                        (21,852)   (15,694)     (48,707)    (38,799)
      Loss on Disposal of Texas
       Genco, net of tax         (346,127)       ---     (346,127)        ---
      Loss from Other
       Operations, net of tax         ---     (1,212)         ---      (2,077)
      Loss on Disposal of Other
       Operations, net of tax         ---        (97)         ---     (12,086)
        Total                    (259,211)    34,750     (154,145)     51,618

    Extraordinary Loss, net
     of tax                      (893,618)       ---     (893,618)        ---

    Net Income (Loss)         $(1,136,198)  $181,725  $(1,004,959)   $413,380

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


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

                                       Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,          September 30,
                                      2004      2003         2004       2003
                                    --------  --------     --------   --------

    Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
      Income from Continuing
       Operations                    $0.05     $0.48        $0.14       $1.19
      Income (Loss) from
      Discontinued Operations        (0.84)     0.12        (0.50)       0.17
      Extraordinary Loss, net
       of tax                        (2.90)      ---        (2.91)        ---
      Net Income (Loss)             $(3.69)    $0.60       $(3.27)      $1.36

    Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
      Income from Continuing
       Operations                    $0.05     $0.48        $0.14       $1.18
      Income (Loss) from
      Discontinued Operations        (0.83)     0.11        (0.50)       0.17
      Extraordinary Loss, net of
       tax                           (2.88)      ---        (2.89)        ---
      Net Income (Loss)             $(3.66)    $0.59       $(3.25)      $1.35

    Dividends Declared per Common
     Share                           $0.10      $--- (A)    $0.30       $0.30

    Weighted Average Common Shares
     Outstanding (000):
        - Basic                    307,592   305,007      306,954     303,261
        - Diluted                  310,165   307,345      309,482     305,415


    Operating Income (Loss) by Segment

    Electric Transmission &
     Distribution:
      Transmission & Distribution
       Operations                 $168,506  $151,466     $361,635    $338,901
      Transition Bond Company        9,399     9,733       28,505      29,252
      ECOM True-up                     ---   221,502          ---     454,783
        Total Electric Transmission
         & Distribution            177,905   382,701      390,140     822,936
    Natural Gas Distribution        (1,972)   (4,723)     137,427     145,789
    Pipelines and Gathering         35,391    38,948      122,484     124,197
    Other Operations                (4,589)      705      (17,542)    (15,692)

    Total                         $206,735  $417,631     $632,509  $1,077,230

     (A)  A third quarter dividend was declared on June 18, 2003 payable on
          September 10, 2003.

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


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

                                    Electric Transmission & Distribution
                               Quarter                 Nine Months
                                Ended      % Diff        Ended         % Diff
                             September 30,   Fav/     September 30,      Fav/
                             2004   2003   (Unfav)    2004     2003    (Unfav)
                            ------ ------  -------   ------   ------   -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues:
      Electric revenues      $425   $414     3%      $1,095   $1,080      1%
      ECOM revenues           ---    222    ---         ---      455     ---
      Transition bond
       revenues                21     18    17%          54       48     13%
        Total Revenues        446    654   (32%)      1,149    1,583    (27%)
    Expenses:
      Operation and
       maintenance            134    139     4%         390      398      2%
      Depreciation and
       amortization            63     62    (2%)        186      184     (1%)
      Taxes other than income
       taxes                   59     62     5%         158      159      1%
      Transition bond
       expenses                12      8   (50%)         25       19    (32%)
        Total                 268    271     1%         759      760     ---
    Operating Income         $178   $383   (54%)       $390     $823    (53%)


    Electric Transmission
     & Distribution
    Operating Data:      Quarter Ended            Nine Months Ended
    Actual MWH           September 30,               September 30,
     Delivered         2004        2003            2004        2003
                    ----------  ----------      ----------  ----------
    Residential      8,511,639   8,134,198   5%  18,714,422  19,182,750   (2%)
    Total           22,568,431  20,895,879   8%  56,633,719  54,770,018    3%

    Weather (average
     for service
     area):
    Percentage of
     normal:
      Cooling degree
       days                103%         96%  7%         102%        102%  ---
      Heating degree
       days                N/A         N/A  ---          86%        111% (25%)

    Average number of
     metered customers:
      Residential    1,645,523   1,600,998   3%   1,633,890   1,587,976    3%
      Commercial and
       Industrial      224,605     220,420   2%     222,661     221,049    1%
        Total        1,870,128   1,821,418   3%   1,856,551   1,809,025    3%

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


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

                                      Natural Gas Distribution
                              Quarter                    Nine Months
                               Ended      % Diff            Ended      % Diff
                             Sept. 30,      Fav/          Sept. 30,      Fav/
                         2004        2003 (Unfav)     2004        2003 (Unfav)
    Results of         --------    ------- -----    --------    ------- -----
     Operations:
    Revenues            $1,149        $897   28%     $4,525      $3,913   16%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas          959         713  (35%)     3,776       3,168  (19%)
      Operation and
       maintenance         133         133   ---        416         417   ---
      Depreciation and
       amortization         36          34   (6%)       106         101   (5%)
      Taxes other than
       income taxes         23          22   (5%)        90          81  (11%)
        Total            1,151         902  (28%)     4,388       3,767  (16%)
    Operating Income
     (Loss)                $(2)        $(5) (60%)      $137        $146   (6%)

    Natural Gas Distribution
     Operating Data:
    Throughput data
     in BCF
    Residential             15          15   ---        121         129   (6%)
    Commercial and
     Industrial             39          39   ---        171         167    2%
    Non-rate regulated
     Commercial and
     Industrial            113         120   (6%)       419         365   15%
    Elimination            (32)        (24) (33%)      (105)        (64) (64%)
      Total Throughput     135         150  (10%)       606         597    2%

    Weather (average for
     service area)
    Percentage of normal:
      Heating degree days   61%        101% (40%)        95%        104%  (9%)

    Average number of
     customers:
      Residential    2,777,212   2,732,165    2%  2,791,722   2,749,571    2%
      Commercial and
       Industrial      242,111     242,503   ---    245,895     245,118   ---
      Non-rate
       regulated
       Commercial and
       Industrial        6,249       5,569   12%      6,234       5,350   17%
        Total        3,025,572   2,980,237    2%  3,043,851   3,000,039    1%


                                               Pipelines and Gathering
                                        Quarter            Nine Months
                                         Ended     % Diff     Ended    % Diff
                                       Sept. 30,     Fav/   Sept. 30,    Fav/
                                      2004   2003  (Unfav) 2004   2003 (Unfav)
    Results of Operations:           ------ ------  ----- ------ ------ -----
    Revenues                          $108    $89    21%   $324   $320     1%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas                        6      5   (20%)    33     62    47%
      Operation and maintenance         52     31   (68%)   122     90   (36%)
      Depreciation and amortization     11     10   (10%)    33     31    (6%)
      Taxes other than income taxes      4      4    ---     13     13    ---
        Total                           73     50   (46%)   201    196    (3%)
    Operating Income                   $35    $39   (10%)  $123   $124    (1%)

    Pipelines and Gathering
     Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
    Natural Gas Sales                    1      1    ---      8      9   (11%)
    Transportation                     181    159    14%    658    630     4%
    Gathering                           79     73     8%    233    219     6%
    Elimination                        ---    ---    ---     (5)    (4)  (25%)
      Total Throughput                 261    233    12%    894    854     5%

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


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

                                                 Other Operations
                                       Quarter             Nine Months
                                        Ended      % Diff     Ended    % Diff
                                       Sept. 30,     Fav/   Sept. 30,    Fav/
                                      2004  2003   (Unfav) 2004   2003 (Unfav)
    Results of Operations:            ----  ----    -----  ----   ----  -----
    Revenues                            $2    $8    (75%)    $8    $26   (69%)
    Expenses                             6     7     14%     25     42    40%
    Operating Income (Loss)            $(4)   $1   (500%)  $(17)  $(16)   (6%)


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

                                            Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                             September 30,     September 30,
                                             2004     2003     2004     2003
    Capital Expenditures by Segment          ----     ----     ----     ----
      Electric Transmission & Distribution    $79      $51     $173     $156
      Natural Gas Distribution                 52       65      132      148
      Pipelines and Gathering                  14       13       38       42
      Other Operations                          4      ---       16        6
      Total                                  $149     $129     $359     $352


                           Interest Expense Detail
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                             Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                             September 30,     September 30,
                                             2004     2003     2004     2003
    Interest Expense Detail                  ----     ----     ----     ----
      Amortization of Deferred Financing
       Cost                                   $19      $16      $63      $44
      Capitalization of Interest Cost          (1)      (1)      (3)      (3)
      Transition Bond Interest Expense          9        9       28       28
      Other Interest Expense                  165      160      495      462
      Total Interest Expense                  192      184      583      531

      Amortization of Deferred Financing
       Cost Reclassified to Discontinued
       Operations                               1       22        3       64
      Other Interest Reclassified to
       Discontinued Operations                 13       31       35      109
        Total Interest Reclassified to
         Discontinued Operations (A)           14       53       38      173
      Interest Expense Incurred by
       Discontinued Operations                ---        1      ---        8
        Total Expense in Discontinued
         Operations                            14       54       38      181

        Total Interest Expense Incurred      $206     $238     $621     $712

     (A)  In 2003, our $3.85 billion credit facility was comprised of a
          revolver and a term loan.  This facility was amended in October 2003
          to a $2.35 billion credit facility, comprised of a revolver and a
          term loan.  According to the terms of the $3.85 billion credit
          facility, any net cash proceeds received from the sale of Texas
          Genco were required to be applied to repay borrowings under the
          credit facility.  According to the terms of the $2.35 billion credit
          facility, until such time as the facility has been reduced to $750
          million, 100% of any net cash proceeds received from the sale of
          Texas Genco are required to be applied to repay borrowings under the
          credit facility and reduce the amount available under the credit
          facility.

          In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 87-24
          "Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations", we have
          reclassified interest to discontinued operations of Texas Genco
          based on net proceeds to be received from the sale of Texas Genco of
          $2.5 billion, and have applied the proceeds to the amount of debt
          assumed to be paid down in each respective period according to the
          terms of the respective credit facilities in effect for those
          periods.  In periods where only the term loan was assumed to be
          repaid, the actual interest paid was reclassified.  In periods where
          a portion of the revolver was assumed to be repaid, the percentage
          of that portion of the revolver to the total outstanding balance was
          calculated, and that percentage was applied to the actual interest
          paid in those periods to compute the amount of interest
          reclassified.

          Total interest expense incurred was $206 million and $238 million
          for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003,
          respectively, and $621 million and $712 million for the nine months
          ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  After reflecting
          the reclassification of interest expense to discontinued operations
          and interest incurred by discontinued operations of $14 million and
          $54 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003,
          respectively, and $38 million and $181 million for the nine months
          ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, interest expense
          related to continuing operations was $192 million and $184 million
          for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003,
          respectively, and $583 million and $531 million for the nine months
          ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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


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

                                               September 30,      December 31,
                                                    2004              2003
                                               ------------       -----------

                     ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                    $20,202           $86,922
      Other current assets                       1,888,084         1,967,944
      Current assets of discontinued
       operations                                  606,018           301,765
          Total current assets                   2,514,304         2,356,631

    Property, Plant and Equipment, net           8,122,791         8,084,924

    Other Assets:
      Goodwill, net                              1,740,510         1,740,510
      Regulatory assets                          3,227,201         4,930,793
      Other non-current assets                     406,639           405,936
      Non-current assets of discontinued
       operations                                3,574,598         3,942,296
          Total other assets                     8,948,948        11,019,535
            Total Assets                       $19,586,043       $21,461,090

        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
      Current portion of transition bond
       long-term debt                              $46,806           $41,189
      Short-term borrowings and current
       portion of other long-term debt             490,414           182,738
      Other current liabilities                  1,881,545         2,046,209
      Current liabilities of discontinued
       operations                                  353,947           332,125
          Total current liabilities              2,772,712         2,602,261

    Other Liabilities:
      Accumulated deferred income taxes,
       net and investment tax credit             1,907,237         2,227,229
      Regulatory liabilities                     1,114,515         1,358,030
      Other non-current liabilities              1,019,260         1,278,646
      Non-current liabilities of
       discontinued operations                   1,461,097         1,277,760
          Total other liabilities                5,502,109         6,141,665

    Long-term Debt:
      Transition bond                              628,893           675,665
      Other                                      9,826,790        10,102,269
          Total long-term debt                  10,455,683        10,777,934

    Minority Interest in Discontinued
     Operations                                    215,953           178,673

    Shareholders' Equity                           639,586         1,760,557
          Total Liabilities and
           Shareholders' Equity                $19,586,043       $21,461,090

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


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

                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                          September 30,
                                                     2004              2003
                                                  ----------        ----------
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
      Net income (loss)                          $(1,004,959)        $413,380
      Discontinued operations, net of tax            154,145          (51,618)
      Extraordinary loss, net of tax                 893,618              ---
      Income from continuing operations               42,804          361,762
      Adjustments to reconcile income
       from continuing operations to net
       cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                424,993          394,947
        Deferred income taxes and investment
         tax credit                                   99,556          313,151
        Changes in net regulatory assets
         and liabilities                            (253,335)        (667,796)
        Changes in other assets and liabilities        8,017         (155,956)
        Other, net                                    17,268           22,507
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities        339,303          268,615

    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities           (352,864)        (350,956)

    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities           (113,811)        (230,227)

    Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations      60,652           43,264

    Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents        (66,720)        (269,304)

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period  86,922          303,704

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period       $20,202          $34,400

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

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

media, Leticia Lowe, +1-713-207-7702, or investors, Marianne
Paulsen, +1-713-207-6500, both of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
/Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.centerpointenergy.com

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