News Release

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Aug 04, 2011

CenterPoint Energy Reports Second Quarter 2011 Earnings

HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $119 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $81 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010. Operating income for the second quarter of 2011 was $303 million compared to $263 million for the same period of 2010.

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"Our company performed well this quarter," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our regulated electric and natural gas utilities reported solid results and our field services unit continues to realize growth from the investments we have made primarily in the Haynesville shale.  We continue to benefit from our balanced portfolio of electric and natural gas assets, and I remain optimistic about future investment opportunities."

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net income was $267 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $195 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010.  Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $667 million compared to $620 million for the same period of 2010.

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $185 million for the second quarter of 2011, consisting of $153 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $32 million related to securitization bonds.  Operating income for the second quarter of 2010 was $158 million, consisting of $122 million from the TDU and $36 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for the TDU benefited from increased usage primarily due to warmer weather, growth of over 32,000 metered customers since June 2010 , higher transmission revenues and lower depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $286 million, consisting of $221 million from the TDU and $65 million related to securitization bonds.  Operating income for the same period of 2010 was $265 million, consisting of $193 million from the TDU and $72 million related to transition bonds.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $13 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $10 million for the same period of 2010. Operating income benefited from increased usage in part due to weather, rate changes and growth of over 27,000 metered customers since June 2010, partially offset by increases in operation and maintenance expenses.    

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $155 million compared to $149 million for the same period of 2010.

Interstate Pipelines

The interstate pipelines segment reported operating income of $60 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $67 million for the same period of 2010. The decline was due to lower revenues primarily related to an expiring backhaul contract and restructured contracts with our natural gas distribution affiliates, lower off-system sales, and higher operation and maintenance expenses, partially offset by increased ancillary services.

In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $5 million for the second quarter of 2011 from its 50 percent interest in the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) compared to $4 million for the same period of 2010.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $136 million compared to $139 million for the same period of 2010.  In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, primarily from its 50 percent interest in SESH compared to $7 million for the same period of 2010.  

Field Services

The field services segment reported operating income of $39 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $31 million for the same period of 2010. Revenue growth from higher gathering volumes, primarily associated with projects in the Haynesville shale, was partially offset by lower prices received from sales of retained gas, as well as increased operation and maintenance and depreciation expenses primarily related to facility expansions.

In addition to operating income, this business had equity income of $3 million for each of the second quarters of 2011 and 2010 from its 50 percent interest in a gathering and processing joint venture (Waskom).  

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $75 million compared to $54 million for the same period of 2010.  Equity income from the jointly-owned gas processing plant was $5 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

The competitive natural gas sales and services segment reported operating income of $3 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to an operating loss of $6 million for the same period of 2010.  

Operating income for the second quarter of 2011 included gains of $4 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain forward natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins, compared to charges of $8 million for the same period of 2010.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, was $13 million compared to $9 million for the same period of 2010.  Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2011, included gains of $2 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting compared to charges of $5 million for the same period of 2010.

Dividend Declaration

On July 19, 2011, CenterPoint Energy's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1975 per share of common stock payable on September 9, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 16, 2011.  

Outlook Reaffirmed for 2011

CenterPoint Energy reaffirmed its 2011 earnings guidance of $1.04 to $1.14 per diluted share.   This guidance takes into consideration performance to date and various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which the company operates.  The company has made certain assumptions regarding financing activities and the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings.  In providing this guidance, the company has not included the impact of any changes in accounting standards, any impact from significant acquisitions or divestitures, any impact to income from the change in value of Time Warner stocks and the related ZENS securities, or the timing effects of mark-to-market or inventory accounting in the company's competitive natural gas sales and services business.  It also does not reflect the recording of the Texas Supreme Court's decision in the TDU's true-up appeal.  For the impact of these factors on the company's earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, see the attached reconciliation.

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, 2011.  A copy of that report is available on the company's website, 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 Thursday, August 4, 2011, 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 on the company's website, under the Investors section.  A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the website 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 more than $19 billion. With over 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years.  For more information, visit the company's website at CenterPointEnergy.com.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.   The statements in this news release regarding the company's earnings outlook for 2011 and future financial performance and results of operations and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements.  Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release.  Factors that could affect actual results include (1) the resolution of the true-up proceedings, including, future actions by the Public Utility Commission of Texas in response to the decisions by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Third Court of Appeals, and any further appeals thereof; (2) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (3) other state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of CenterPoint Energy's businesses, including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline safety, health care reform, financial reform and tax legislation; (4) timely and appropriate rate actions and increases, allowing recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (5) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes or other proceedings related to taxes; (6) problems with construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or in cost overruns that cannot be recouped in rates; (7) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy's service territories and changes in market demand, including the effects of energy efficiency measures, and demographic patterns; (8) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas and natural gas liquids, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials; (9) the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas, including supplies available for gathering by CenterPoint Energy's field services business and transporting by its interstate pipelines; (10) weather variations and other natural phenomena; (11) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (12) timely and appropriate regulatory actions allowing securitization or other recovery of costs associated with any future hurricanes or natural disasters; (13) changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; (14) commercial bank and financial market conditions, CenterPoint Energy's access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of our financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets; (15) actions by rating agencies; (16) effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's risk management activities; (17) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations; (18) non-payment for services due to financial distress of CenterPoint Energy's customers; (19) the ability of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (20) the ability of retail electric providers, and particularly the two largest customers of the TDU, to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (21) the outcome of litigation brought by or against CenterPoint Energy; (22) CenterPoint Energy's ability to control costs; (23) the investment performance of pension and postretirement benefit plans; (24) potential business strategies, including restructurings, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses; (25) acquisition and merger activities; and (26) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, and June 30, 2011, and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information contact
Media:
Leticia Lowe
Phone  713.207.7702
Investors:
Marianne Paulsen
Phone  713.207.6500


CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries











Reconciliation of reported Net Income and diluted EPS to the basis used in providing 2011 annual earnings guidance





Quarter Ended


Six Months Ended




June 30, 2011


June 30, 2011




Net Income


EPS


Net Income


EPS




(in millions)




(in millions)



As reported

$           119


$        0.28


$         267


$        0.62


Timing effects impacting CES(1):










Mark-to-market (gains) losses - natural gas derivative contracts

(3)


(0.01)


(1)


(0.00)



Natural gas inventory write-downs

-


-


-


-


ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:










Marketable securities(2)

(12)


(0.03)


(33)


(0.07)



Indexed debt securities

-


-


15


0.03

Per the basis used in providing 2011 annual earnings guidance

$           104


$        0.24


$         248


$        0.58











(1)  Competitive natural gas sales and services








(2)  Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. and AOL Inc.











CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Statements of Consolidated Income

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)










Quarter Ended


Six Months Ended


June 30,


June 30,


2010


2011


2010


2011









Revenues:








Electric Transmission & Distribution

$  562


$  606


$ 1,044


$ 1,095

Natural Gas Distribution

465


452


2,002


1,664

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

560


586


1,412


1,292

Interstate Pipelines

148


142


286


289

Field Services

80


98


148


188

Other Operations

3


3


6


6

Eliminations

(62)


(50)


(119)


(110)

Total

1,756


1,837


4,779


4,424









Expenses:








Natural gas

778


778


2,713


2,254

Operation and maintenance

410


446


824


885

Depreciation and amortization

217


223


417


424

Taxes other than income taxes

88


87


205


194

Total

1,493


1,534


4,159


3,757

Operating Income

263


303


620


667









Other Income (Expense) :








Gain (loss) on marketable securities

(22)


18


16


50

Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities

32


-


5


(23)

Interest and other finance charges

(121)


(111)


(243)


(227)

Interest on transition and system restoration bonds

(36)


(32)


(72)


(65)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

7


8


12


14

Other - net

3


4


4


9

Total

(137)


(113)


(278)


(242)









Income Before Income Taxes

126


190


342


425









Income Tax Expense

45


71


147


158









Net Income

$    81


$  119


$    195


$    267









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,


2010


2011


2010


2011









Basic Earnings Per Common Share

$     0.20


$     0.28


$    0.49


$    0.63









Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$     0.20


$     0.28


$    0.49


$    0.62









Dividends Declared per Common Share

$ 0.1950


$ 0.1975


$  0.390


$  0.395









Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000):








- Basic

399,515


425,638


396,203


425,330

- Diluted

401,993


428,284


398,689


427,954

















Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
















Electric Transmission & Distribution:








Electric Transmission and Distribution Operations

$      122


$      153


$     193


$     221

Transition and System Restoration Bond Companies

36


32


72


65

Total Electric Transmission & Distribution

158


185


265


286

Natural Gas Distribution

10


13


149


155

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

(6)


3


9


13

Interstate Pipelines

67


60


139


136

Field Services

31


39


54


75

Other Operations

3


3


4


2









Total

$      263


$      303


$     620


$     667









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 Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues:












Electric transmission and distribution utility

$           449


$           489


9%


$           835


$           889


6%

Transition and system restoration bond companies

113


117


4%


209


206


(1%)

Total

562


606


8%


1,044


1,095


5%













Expenses:












Operation and maintenance

204


219


(7%)


394


427


(8%)

Depreciation and amortization

71


66


7%


144


137


5%

Taxes other than income taxes

52


51


2%


104


104


-

Transition and system restoration bond companies

77


85


(10%)


137


141


(3%)

Total

404


421


(4%)


779


809


(4%)

Operating Income

$           158


$           185


17%


$           265


$           286


8%













Operating Income:












Electric transmission and distribution operations

$           122


$           153


25%


$           193


$           221


15%

Transition and system restoration bond companies

36


32


(11%)


72


65


(10%)

Total Segment Operating Income

$           158


$           185


17%


$           265


$           286


8%













Electric Transmission & Distribution








Operating Data:








Actual MWH Delivered












Residential

7,064,276


7,784,631


10%


12,237,273


12,655,884


3%

Total

20,173,782


21,077,489


4%


36,610,092


37,845,457


3%













Weather (average for service area):












Percentage of 10-year average:












Cooling degree days

109%


123%


14%


99%


126%


27%

Heating degree days

78%


33%


(45%)


160%


106%


(54%)

























Number of metered customers - end of period:












Residential

1,866,699


1,895,852


2%


1,866,699


1,895,852


2%

Total

2,113,695


2,145,979


2%


2,113,695


2,145,979


2%




Natural Gas Distribution


Quarter Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues

$           465


$           452


(3%)


$        2,002


$        1,664


(17%)

Expenses:












Natural gas

244


218


11%


1,383


1,036


25%

Operation and maintenance

144


157


(9%)


311


325


(5%)

Depreciation and amortization

44


41


7%


84


83


1%

Taxes other than income taxes

23


23


-


75


65


13%

Total

455


439


4%


1,853


1,509


19%

Operating Income

$             10


$             13


30%


$           149


$           155


4%













Natural Gas Distribution Operating Data:












Throughput data in BCF












Residential

16


20


25%


112


110


(2%)

Commercial and Industrial

49


51


4%


136


139


2%

Total Throughput

65


71


9%


248


249


-

























Weather (average for service area)












Percentage of 10-year average:












Heating degree days

66%


101%


35%


111%


107%


(4%)

























Number of customers - end of period:












Residential

2,973,013


3,000,665


1%


2,973,013


3,000,665


1%

Commercial and Industrial

244,089


243,629


-


244,089


243,629


-

Total

3,217,102


3,244,294


1%


3,217,102


3,244,294


1%













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 Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues

$    560


$    586


5%


$ 1,412


$ 1,292


(8%)

Expenses:












Natural gas

554


571


(3%)


1,380


1,256


9%

Operation and maintenance

10


11


(10%)


19


21


(11%)

Depreciation and amortization

1


1


-


2


2


-

Taxes other than income taxes

1


-


100%


2


-


100%

Total

566


583


(3%)


1,403


1,279


9%

Operating Income (Loss)

$      (6)


$        3


150%


$        9


$      13


44%













Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services Operating Data:












Throughput data in BCF

128


126


(2%)


269


281


4%













Number of customers - end of period

11,694


12,152


4%


11,694


12,152


4%




Interstate Pipelines


Quarter Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues

$    148


$    142


(4%)


$    286


$    289


1%

Expenses:












Natural gas

24


21


13%


34


39


(15%)

Operation and maintenance

35


39


(11%)


70


70


-

Depreciation and amortization

13


14


(8%)


26


27


(4%)

Taxes other than income taxes

9


8


11%


17


17


-

Total

81


82


(1%)


147


153


(4%)

Operating Income

$      67


$      60


(10%)


$    139


$    136


(2%)













Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

$        4


$        5


25%


$        7


$        9


29%













Pipelines Operating Data:












Throughput data in BCF












Transportation

400


396


(1%)


838


852


2%













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 Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues

$   80


$   98


23%


$ 148


$ 188


27%

Expenses:












Natural gas

18


18


-


34


33


3%

Operation and maintenance

25


29


(16%)


46


58


(26%)

Depreciation and amortization

5


10


(100%)


11


19


(73%)

Taxes other than income taxes

1


2


(100%)


3


3


-

Total

49


59


(20%)


94


113


(20%)

Operating Income

$   31


$   39


26%


$   54


$   75


39%













Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

$     3


$     3


-


$     5


$     5


-













Field Services Operating Data:












Throughput data in BCF












Gathering

156


197


26%


284


380


34%




Other Operations


Quarter Ended




Six Months Ended




June 30,


% Diff


June 30,


% Diff


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)


2010


2011


Fav/(Unfav)

Results of Operations:












Revenues

$     3


$     3


-


$     6


$     6


-

Expenses

-


-


-


2


4


(100%)

Operating Income

$     3


$     3


-


$     4


$     2


(50%)



Capital Expenditures by Segment

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)










Quarter Ended


Six Months Ended


June 30,


June 30,


2010


2011


2010


2011

Capital Expenditures by Segment








Electric Transmission & Distribution

$ 101


$ 124


$ 196


$ 230

Natural Gas Distribution

45


75


74


126

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

1


3


1


3

Interstate Pipelines

32


21


40


39

Field Services

220


30


341


99

Other Operations

3


8


7


17

Total

$ 402


$ 261


$ 659


$ 514



(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)









Quarter Ended


Six Months Ended


June 30,


June 30,


2010


2011


2010


2011

Interest Expense Detail








Amortization of Deferred Financing Cost

$     5


$     6


$   12


$   13

Capitalization of Interest Cost

(2)


(1)


(3)


(3)

Transition and System Restoration Bond Interest Expense

36


32


72


65

Other Interest Expense

118


106


234


217

Total Interest Expense

$ 157


$ 143


$ 315


$ 292









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,


2010


2011









ASSETS




Current Assets:




 Cash and cash equivalents

$             199


$      190

 Other current assets

2,383


1,852

     Total current assets

2,582


2,042





Property, Plant and Equipment, net

11,732


11,981





Other Assets:




 Goodwill

1,696


1,696

 Regulatory assets

3,446


3,315

 Other non-current assets

655


643

     Total other assets

5,797


5,654

       Total Assets

$        20,111


$ 19,677





LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY








Current Liabilities:




 Short-term borrowings

$               53


$      109

 Current portion of transition and system restoration bonds long-term debt

283


294

 Current portion of indexed debt

126


128

 Current portion of other long-term debt

19


46

 Other current liabilities

2,139


1,784

     Total current liabilities

2,620


2,361





Other Liabilities:




 Accumulated deferred income taxes, net

2,934


3,148

 Regulatory liabilities

989


1,031

 Other non-current liabilities

1,369


1,314

     Total other liabilities

5,292


5,493





Long-term Debt:




 Transition and system restoration bonds

2,522


2,371

 Other

6,479


6,139

     Total long-term debt

9,001


8,510





Shareholders' Equity

3,198


3,313

     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$        20,111


$ 19,677





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,


2010


2011





Cash Flows from Operating Activities:




 Net income

$ 195


$  267

 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

431


439

Deferred income taxes

(37)


209

Changes in net regulatory assets

26


15

Changes in other assets and liabilities

195


196

Other, net

8


11

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

818


1,137





Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(719)


(572)





Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

(256)


(574)





Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(157)


(9)





Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

740


199





Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$ 583


$  190





Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.



SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

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