News Release

<< Back
Feb 28, 2006

CenterPoint Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Earnings

Feb 28, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $81 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to $100 million, or $0.29 per diluted share for the same period of 2004. For the year 2005, the company recorded net income of $252 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $905 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, for 2004.

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

Net income for 2004 included a $977 million extraordinary loss from the write-down of generation-related regulatory assets as a result of actions taken by the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC), $83 million of this amount was recorded in the fourth quarter. Net income for 2004 also included a $133 million overall loss from discontinued operations, although there was a $21 million gain from discontinued operations recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income for 2005 included a $30 million positive adjustment to the 2004 write-down of generation-related regulatory assets, and a $3 million loss from discontinued operations.

Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $81 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to $162 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2004. Income from continuing operations before extraordinary item for the year 2005 was $225 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, compared to $205 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for 2004. As a result of actions taken by the PUC, in the fourth quarter of 2004 the company recorded pre-tax income of $226 million related to interest on the company's authorized true-up balance. Of this amount, $131 million related to 2004 ($36 million related to the fourth quarter of 2004) and $95 million related to periods prior to 2004.

"I am very pleased with our overall progress and accomplishments in 2005," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "2005 was a year of significant milestones for our company, marking the end to our transition. We completed the sale of our power generation business and began to recover our authorized true-up balance through the implementation of a competition transition charge and the issuance of $1.85 billion of transition bonds. We repaid our high-cost $1.31 billion term loan, reduced other debt and restructured our credit facilities to reduce interest costs, extend maturities and improve terms. Now that our transition is behind us, we look forward to further improving our operating performance while we explore opportunities to grow in a disciplined manner."

OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT DETAILED

    Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment generated operating income of $102 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, consisting of $90 million for the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility (TDU) and $12 million for the transition bond companies, which is an amount sufficient to pay interest on the transition bonds. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2004 totaled $104 million, consisting of $95 million for the TDU and $9 million for the transition bond company.

Revenues increased in the fourth quarter of 2005 primarily due to continued customer growth with the addition of over 60,000 metered customers since December 2004, increased customer usage and the implementation of a competition transition charge (CTC) in September 2005. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher transmission costs, labor and benefit- related expenses, tree trimming expenses, and increased franchise fees paid to the City of Houston under a new 30-year franchise agreement.

Operating income for the year 2005 was $487 million, consisting of $448 million for the TDU and $39 million for the transition bond companies. Operating income for 2004 totaled $494 million, consisting of $441 million for the TDU, $38 million for the transition bond company, and a $15 million reversal of a reserve related to the final fuel reconciliation of the former integrated utility recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004.

For the year 2005, revenues increased primarily due to continued customer growth, increased customer usage driven by warmer weather, higher transmission cost recovery and implementation of the CTC. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher transmission costs, labor and benefit-related expenses, tree trimming expenses, depreciation and amortization, and the increased franchise fees paid to the City of Houston. Operating expenses for 2004 reflected an $11 million credit from a land sale.

Natural Gas Distribution

Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2005, the natural gas distribution segment excludes the company's non-rate regulated natural gas sales and services business, which is now reported as a separate segment, "competitive natural gas sales and services". All prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $59 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to $69 million for the same period of 2004. Higher margins from the addition of nearly 44,000 customers since December 2004 were more than offset by increased litigation reserves and increased bad debt expense associated with higher natural gas prices.

Operating income for the year 2005 was $175 million compared to $178 million for 2004. The benefits from rate increases and customer growth were more than offset by reduced customer usage, increased bad debt expense and litigation reserves, and higher depreciation. In 2004, operating expenses reflected severance and associated benefit-related expenses due to an organizational restructuring.

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

The competitive natural gas sales and services business is engaged in the sale of natural gas and related services primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and gas utility companies.

This segment reported operating income of $30 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to $16 million for the same period of 2004. The increase was primarily attributable to higher sales to utilities and favorable basis differentials across the pipeline capacity that the company controls.

Operating income for the year 2005 was $60 million compared to $44 million for 2004. The increase was primarily attributable to the same items noted above. Partially offsetting the margin increase were the effects of mark-to- market accounting related to non-trading financial derivatives used to lock in economic margins of certain forward gas sales, as well as increased employee- related and bad debt expenses.

Pipelines and Field Services

The pipelines and field services segment reported operating income of $67 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to $57 million for the same period of 2004. Within this segment, the pipeline business achieved higher operating income ($46 million vs. $42 million) driven by increased demand for transportation resulting from basis differentials across the system and higher demand for ancillary services. The field services business achieved higher operating income ($21 million vs. $15 million) driven by increased throughput and demand, increased gas gathering and ancillary services, and higher commodity prices.

Operating income for the year 2005 was $235 million compared to $180 million for 2004. Operating income for the pipeline business for 2005 was $165 million compared to $129 million for 2004. The field services business recorded operating income of $70 million for 2005 compared to $51 million for 2004. The improvements in operating income for the year resulted primarily from the same items noted for the quarter.

Other Operations

The company's other operations reported an operating loss of $6 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to a loss of $15 million for the same period of 2004. The operating loss for the year 2005 was $18 million compared to a loss of $32 million for 2004.

OTHER 2005 EVENTS
    Additional significant events for CenterPoint Energy during 2005 included:
     *  completion of the sale of the company's generation assets; proceeds of
        $2.231 billion and $700 million were received in 2004 and 2005,
        respectively;
     *  issuance of over $1.85 billion in transition bonds to recover a
        portion of the company's authorized true-up balance;
     *  implementation  of a CTC to begin recovering the remaining authorized
        true-up balance of $596 million over 14 years, plus interest;
     *  contribution of $75 million to the pension plan in 2005 following a
        $476 million pension plan contribution in 2004; and
     *  completion of an exchange offer for $572 million of the company's
        3.75 percent convertible senior notes.

    DIVIDEND DECLARATION

On January 26, 2006, CenterPoint Energy's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock payable on March 10, 2006, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2006. In declaring this dividend, the board of directors indicated its intent to return to the company's traditional practice of paying consistent quarterly dividends. An annualized dividend based on a $0.15 per common share quarterly dividend represents a 50 percent increase over the $0.40 per common share in total dividends paid by the company in 2005.

OUTLOOK FOR 2006

CenterPoint Energy expects diluted earnings per share for 2006 to be in the range of $0.90 to $1.00. This guidance excludes any impacts related to the company's Zero-Premium Exchangeable Subordinated Notes (ZENS) and associated federal income tax consequences due to the uncertainties associated with the resolution of the ongoing dispute with the Internal Revenue Service. This guidance takes into consideration various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which it operates. In particular, the company has made certain assumptions regarding the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings but cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any of those proceedings. In providing this guidance, the company has not projected the impact of any potential changes in accounting standards, any impact from acquisitions or divestitures, or the outcome of pending legal proceedings related to the company's true up appeal.

WEBCAST OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

CenterPoint Energy's management will host an earnings conference call on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, 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 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 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 and sales, and interstate pipeline and gathering operations. The company serves nearly five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $17 billion. With approximately 9,000 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 appeals from the true-up proceedings, the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative 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 period ended December 31, 2004, Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

                                          Quarter Ended     Twelve Months
                                           December 31,   Ended December 31,
                                          --------------- ------------------
                                           2004    2005     2004     2005
                                          ------- ------- -------- ---------
    Revenues:
      Electric Transmission & Distribution  $368    $401   $1,521   $1,644
      Natural Gas Distribution             1,184   1,441    3,579    3,846
      Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
       Services                              873   1,346    2,848    4,129
      Pipelines and Field Services           127     131      451      493
      Other Operations                       ---       4        8       19
      Eliminations                          (115)   (111)    (408)    (409)
        Total                              2,437   3,212    7,999    9,722

    Expenses:
      Natural gas                          1,647   2,348    5,013    6,509
      Operation and maintenance              345     384    1,277    1,358
      Depreciation and amortization          128     130      490      541
      Taxes other than income taxes           86      98      355      375
        Total                              2,206   2,960    7,135    8,783
    Operating Income                         231     252      864      939

    Other Income (Expense):
      Gain (loss) on Time Warner investment   71     (15)      31      (44)
      Gain (loss) on indexed debt
       securities                            (63)     15      (20)      49
      Interest and other finance charges    (185)   (149)    (739)    (670)
      Interest on transition bonds            (9)    (13)     (38)     (40)
      Return on true-up balance              226      17      226      121
      Other - net                              5       5       20       23
        Total                                 45    (140)    (520)    (561)

    Income from Continuing Operations
     Before
      Income Taxes and Extraordinary Item    276     112      344      378

    Income Tax Expense                      (114)    (31)    (139)    (153)

    Income from Continuing Operations
     Before Extraordinary Item               162      81      205      225

    Discontinued Operations:
      Income from Texas Genco, net of tax     53     ---      294       11
      Minority Interest related to Texas
       Genco, net of tax                     (12)    ---      (61)     ---
      Loss on Disposal of Texas Genco, net
       of tax                                (20)    ---     (366)     (14)
        Total                                 21     ---     (133)      (3)

    Income Before Extraordinary Item         183      81       72      222

    Extraordinary Item, net of tax           (83)    ---     (977)      30

    Net Income (Loss)                       $100     $81    $(905)    $252

     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
          (Millions of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                            Quarter Ended     Twelve Months
                                             December 31,   Ended December 31,
                                           ---------------- ------------------
                                            2004     2005     2004     2005
                                           -------  ------- --------  --------

    Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
      Income from Continuing Operations      $0.53    $0.26    $0.67    $0.72
      Income (Loss) from Discontinued
       Operations                             0.07      ---    (0.43)   (0.01)
      Extraordinary Item, net of tax         (0.27)     ---    (3.18)    0.10
      Net Income (Loss)                      $0.33    $0.26   $(2.94)   $0.81

    Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
      Income from Continuing Operations      $0.46    $0.25    $0.61    $0.67
      Income (Loss) from Discontinued
       Operations                             0.06      ---    (0.37)   (0.01)
      Extraordinary Item, net of tax         (0.23)     ---    (2.72)    0.09
      Net Income (Loss)                      $0.29    $0.25   $(2.48)   $0.75

    Dividends Declared per Common Share      $0.10    $0.06    $0.40    $0.40

    Weighted Average Common Shares
     Outstanding (000):
      - Basic                              307,876  310,147  307,185  309,349
      - Diluted                            360,205  320,351  359,506  346,028


    Operating Income (Loss) by Segment

      Electric Transmission & Distribution:
        Transmission & Distribution Operations $95      $90     $456     $448
        Transition Bond Companies                9       12       38       39
          Total Electric Transmission &
           Distribution                        104      102      494      487
      Natural Gas Distribution                  69       59      178      175
      Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
       Services                                 16       30       44       60
      Pipelines and Field Services              57       67      180      235
      Other Operations                         (15)      (6)     (32)     (18)

    Total                                     $231     $252     $864     $939

     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 Ended
                                                 December 31,        % Diff
                                         ------------------------
                                               2004        2005    Fav/(Unfav)
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues:
      Electric transmission and
       distribution utility                    $347        $374         8%
      Transition bond companies                  21          27        29%
        Total                                   368         401         9%

    Expenses:
      Operation and maintenance                 145         172       (19%)
      Depreciation and amortization              62          61         2%
      Taxes other than income taxes              45          51       (13%)
      Transition bond companies                  12          15       (25%)
        Total                                   264         299       (13%)
    Operating Income - Electric
     transmission and distribution
     utility                                     95          90        (5%)
    Operating Income - Transition bond
     companies                                    9          12        33%
        Total Segment Operating Income         $104        $102        (2%)


    Electric Transmission & Distribution     Quarter Ended
                                         -----------------------
    Operating Data:                           December 31,
                                         ----------- -----------
    Actual MWH Delivered                    2004        2005
      Residential                         5,033,574   5,317,080         6%
      Total                              16,997,828  17,055,414       ---

    Weather (average for service area):
    Percentage of normal:
      Cooling degree days                      146%        128%       (18%)
      Heating degree days                       75%         91%        16%

    Average number of metered customers:
      Residential                         1,656,281   1,704,690         3%
      Total                               1,881,761   1,936,685         3%



                                             Twelve Months Ended
                                                 December 31,        % Diff
                                         ------------------------
                                               2004        2005    Fav/(Unfav)
                                         ----------- ------------  -----------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues:
      Electric transmission and
       distribution utility                  $1,446      $1,538         6%
      Transition bond companies                  75         106        41%
        Total                                 1,521       1,644         8%

    Expenses:
      Operation and maintenance                 539         618       (15%)
      Depreciation and amortization             248         258        (4%)
      Taxes other than income taxes             203         214        (5%)
      Transition bond companies                  37          67       (81%)
        Total                                 1,027       1,157       (13%)
    Operating Income - Electric
     transmission and distribution
     utility                                    456         448        (2%)
    Operating Income - Transition bond
     companies                                   38          39         3%
        Total Segment Operating Income         $494        $487        (1%)


    Electric Transmission & Distribution   Twelve Months Ended
                                         -----------------------
    Operating Data:                           December 31,
    Actual MWH Delivered                    2004        2005
                                         ---------- ------------
      Residential                        23,747,996  24,923,995         5%
      Total                              73,631,547  74,189,448         1%

    Weather (average for service area):
    Percentage of normal:
      Cooling degree days                      107%        112%         5%
      Heating degree days                       82%         82%       ---

    Average number of metered customers:
      Residential                         1,639,488   1,683,100         3%
      Total                               1,862,853   1,912,346         3%



                                                 Natural Gas Distribution
                                        --------------------------------------
                                                Quarter Ended
                                                 December 31,        % Diff
                                        -------------------------
                                               2004        2005    Fav/(Unfav)
                                        ------------  -----------  -----------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                                 $1,184      $1,441         22%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas                               904       1,148        (27%)
      Operation and maintenance                 143         158        (10%)
      Depreciation and amortization              36          37         (3%)
      Taxes other than income taxes              32          39        (22%)
        Total                                 1,115       1,382        (24%)
    Operating Income                            $69         $59        (14%)

    Natural Gas Distribution Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
      Residential                                55          53         (4%)
      Commercial and Industrial                  65          57        (12%)
        Total Throughput                        120         110         (8%)

    Weather (average for service area)
    Percentage of normal:
      Heating degree days                       88%         94%          6%

    Average number of customers:
      Residential                         2,817,670   2,855,670          1%
      Commercial and Industrial             246,581     245,925        ---
        Total                             3,064,251   3,101,595          1%


                                             Twelve Months Ended
                                                 December 31,        % Diff
                                          ------------------------
                                               2004        2005    Fav/(Unfav)
                                          -----------  ----------- -----------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                                 $3,579      $3,846          7%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas                             2,596       2,841         (9%)
      Operation and maintenance                 544         551         (1%)
      Depreciation and amortization             141         152         (8%)
      Taxes other than income taxes             120         127         (6%)
        Total                                 3,401       3,671         (8%)
    Operating Income                           $178        $175         (2%)

    Natural Gas Distribution Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
      Residential                               175         160         (9%)
      Commercial and Industrial                 237         215         (9%)
        Total Throughput                        412         375         (9%)

    Weather (average for service area)
    Percentage of normal:
      Heating degree days                       92%         91%         (1%)

    Average number of customers:
      Residential                         2,798,210   2,838,357          1%
      Commercial and Industrial             246,068     246,372        ---
        Total                             3,044,278   3,084,729          1%

     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)

                                   Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services
                                ----------------------------------------------
                                     Quarter            Twelve Months
                                      Ended     % Diff      Ended      % Diff
                                  December 31,    Fav/   December 31,    Fav/
                                ---------------         --------------
                                  2004    2005  (Unfav)  2004    2005  (Unfav)
                                -------  ------ ------- ------- ------ -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                      $873  $1,346    54%  $2,848  $4,129    45%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas                  849   1,305   (54%)  2,778   4,033   (45%)
      Operation and maintenance      7       9   (29%)     22      30   (36%)
      Depreciation and
       amortization                  1       1   ---        2       2   ---
      Taxes other than
       income taxes                ---       1   ---        2       4  (100%)
        Total                      857   1,316   (54%)  2,804   4,069   (45%)
    Operating Income               $16     $30    88%     $44     $60    36%

    Competitive Natural Gas Sales
     and Services Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
      Wholesale - third parties     71      69    (3%)    228     304    33%
      Wholesale - affiliates         9       4   (56%)     35      27   (23%)
      Retail                        41      44     7%     141     156    11%
      Pipeline                      19      10   (47%)     76      51   (33%)
        Total Throughput           140     127    (9%)    480     538    12%

    Average number of customers:
      Wholesale                    102     121    19%      97     138    42%
      Retail                     6,003   6,616    10%   5,976   6,328     6%
      Pipeline                     169     135   (20%)    172     142   (17%)
        Total                    6,274   6,872    10%   6,245   6,608     6%



                                          Pipelines and Field Services
                                ----------------------------------------------
                                     Quarter            Twelve Months
                                      Ended     % Diff      Ended      % Diff
                                  December 31,    Fav/   December 31,    Fav/
                                ---------------         --------------
                                  2004    2005  (Unfav)  2004    2005  (Unfav)
                                -------  ------ ------- ------- ------ -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                      $127    $131     3%    $451    $493     9%
    Expenses:
      Natural gas                   13       5    62%      46      30    35%
      Operation and maintenance     42      43    (2%)    164     164   ---
      Depreciation and
       amortization                 11      11   ---       44      45    (2%)
      Taxes other than
       income taxes                  4       5   (25%)     17      19   (12%)
        Total                       70      64     9%     271     258     5%
    Operating Income               $57     $67    18%    $180    $235    31%

    Pipelines and Gathering
     Operating Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
      Natural Gas Sales              3       2   (33%)     11       6   (45%)
      Transportation               201     214     6%     859     914     6%
      Gathering                     88      91     3%     321     353    10%
      Elimination                   (2)    ---   ---       (7)     (4)   43%
        Total Throughput           290     307     6%   1,184   1,269     7%

     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            Twelve Months
                                      Ended     % Diff      Ended      % Diff
                                  December 31,    Fav/   December 31,    Fav/
                                ---------------         --------------
                                  2004    2005  (Unfav)  2004    2005  (Unfav)
                                -------  ------ ------- ------- ------ -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                      $---      $4   ---       $8     $19   138%
    Expenses                        15      10    33%      40      37     8%
    Operating Loss                $(15)    $(6)   60%    $(32)   $(18)   44%



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

                                           Quarter Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                            December 31,      December 31,
                                          ---------------- ------------------
                                           2004     2005     2004     2005
                                          -------  ------- --------  --------
    Capital Expenditures by Segment
      Electric Transmission &
       Distribution                         $62      $82     $235     $281
      Natural Gas Distribution               65       80      196      249
      Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
       Services                             ---        8        1       12
      Pipelines and Field Services           35       48       73      156
      Other Operations                        9        4       25       21
        Total                              $171     $222     $530     $719



                           Interest Expense Detail
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                          Quarter Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                            December 31,      December 31,
                                          --------------- -------------------
                                           2004     2005     2004     2005
                                          -------  ------ ---------  --------
    Interest Expense Detail
      Amortization of Deferred Financing
       Cost                                 $29      $17      $92      $76
      Capitalization of Interest Cost        (1)      (1)      (4)      (4)
      Transition Bond Interest Expense        9       13       37       39
      Other Interest Expense                157      133      652      599
        Total Interest Expense              194      162      777      710

      Amortization of Deferred Financing
       Cost
        Reclassified to Discontinued
         Operations                          16      ---       19      ---
      Other Interest Reclassified to
       Discontinued Operations               18      ---       53      ---
        Total Interest Reclassified to
         Discontinued Operations (A)         34      ---       72      ---

      Interest Expense Incurred by
       Discontinued Operations              ---      ---      ---        1
        Total Expense in Discontinued
         Operations                          34      ---       72        1

        Total Interest Expense Incurred    $228     $162     $849     $711

     (A)  In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 87-24
          "Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations", in 2004, we
          have reclassified interest to discontinued operations of Texas Genco
          based on net proceeds 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 2004 according to the terms of the
          respective credit facilities in effect for that period.  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 was $228 million and $162 million for the
          three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and
          $849 million and $711 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
          and 2005, respectively.  Interest expense of $34 million for the
          three months ended December 31, 2004, and $72 million for the year
          ended December 31, 2004, was reclassified to discontinued operations
          of Texas Genco.

     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
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                 December 31,     December 31,
                                                     2004             2005
                                                 ------------     ------------
                     ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                       $165             $74
      Other current assets                           2,092           2,817
      Current assets of discontinued
       operations                                      514             ---
          Total current assets                       2,771           2,891

    Property, Plant and Equipment, net               8,186           8,492

    Other Assets:
      Goodwill, net                                  1,741           1,709
      Regulatory assets                              3,350           2,955
      Other non-current assets                         997           1,069
      Non-current assets of discontinued
       operations                                    1,051             ---
          Total other assets                         7,139           5,733
            Total Assets                           $18,096         $17,116

       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
      Current portion of transition bond
       long-term debt                                  $47             $73
      Current portion of other long-term
       debt                                          1,789             266
      Other current liabilities                      2,836           2,651
      Current liabilities of discontinued
       operations                                      449             ---
          Total current liabilities                  5,121           2,990

    Other Liabilities:
      Accumulated deferred income taxes,
       net and investment tax credit                 2,469           2,544
      Regulatory liabilities                         1,082             728
      Other non-current liabilities                    705             990
      Non-current liabilities of
       discontinued operations                         420             ---
          Total other liabilities                    4,676           4,262

    Long-term Debt:
      Transition bond                                  629           2,407
      Other                                          6,564           6,161
          Total long-term debt                       7,193           8,568

    Shareholders' Equity                             1,106           1,296
          Total Liabilities and
           Shareholders' Equity                    $18,096         $17,116

     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
                            (Millions of Dollars)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                              Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                             ---------------------------------
                                                    2004              2005
                                             ---------------   ---------------

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
      Net income (loss)                            $(905)             $252
      Discontinued operations, net of tax            133                 3
      Extraordinary item, net of tax                 977               (30)
      Income from continuing operations              205               225
      Adjustments to reconcile income
       from continuing operations to net
       cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                582               618
        Deferred income taxes and
         investment tax credit                       258               224
        Changes in net regulatory assets
         and liabilities                            (520)             (192)
        Changes in other assets and
         liabilities                                (164)             (795)
        Other, net                                    20                18
    Net Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities of Continuing Operations             381                98

    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating
     Activities of Discontinued Operations           355               (38)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities                                      736                60

    Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities      1,466                20

    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities         (2,124)             (171)

    Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
     Cash Equivalents                                 78               (91)

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at
     Beginning of Year                                87               165

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year        $165               $74

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

media, Leticia Lowe, +1-713-207-7702, or investors, Marianne Paulsen,
+1-713-207-6500, both of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX