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Feb 26, 2010

CenterPoint Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Earnings

HOUSTON, Feb 26, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $105 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $87 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $299 million compared to $303 million for the same period of 2008.

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

For the year ended December 31, 2009, net income was $372 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, compared to $446 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $1.1 billion compared to $1.3 billion for the same period of 2008.

"Our company performed well in 2009 in the face of a weak economy and challenging energy markets," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our regulated electric and natural gas utilities turned in solid operating and financial performances. The company's interstate pipelines and field services businesses expanded their systems and increased throughput, but lower natural gas and natural gas liquids prices adversely affected their financial performances. Additionally, results of the competitive natural gas sales unit were adversely affected by substantially reduced locational and seasonal price differentials. As the economy improves and stronger energy markets emerge, our regulated utilities and natural gas businesses are well positioned to benefit."

OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $95 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, consisting of $61 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $34 million related to transition and system restoration bonds. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $88 million, consisting of $55 million from the TDU and $33 million related to transition bonds. Operating income for the TDU benefited from growth of over 29,000 metered customers since December 2008, higher net transmission revenues and income associated with the company's investment in an advanced metering system (AMS). These benefits were partially offset by reduced energy demand as well as higher operation and maintenance expenses. In addition, the fourth quarter of 2008 reflected lower operating expenses as resources were devoted to recovery from Hurricane Ike.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $545 million, consisting of $414 million from the TDU and $131 million related to transition and system restoration bonds. Operating income for the same period of 2008 was $545 million, consisting of $407 million from the TDU, $133 million related to transition bonds and $5 million from the competition transition charge (CTC). The CTC was discontinued in February 2008 when the company securitized the remaining authorized true-up balance. Operating income for the TDU benefited from customer growth, higher net transmission revenues and income associated with the company's investment in AMS, partially offset by reduced energy demand and increased operation and maintenance expenses, primarily employee-related. In addition, 2008 included a gain from a land sale, lower net revenues related to Hurricane Ike and a refund of prior years' state franchise taxes.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $99 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $96 million for the same period of 2008. Operating income increased from higher rates, other miscellaneous revenues and lower bad debt expense, partially offset by higher pension expense of $11 million.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $204 million compared to $215 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was primarily due to higher pension expense of $37 million and other operating expenses, partially offset by higher rates and lower bad debt expense.

Interstate Pipelines

The interstate pipelines segment reported operating income of $62 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $66 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was primarily due to higher pension and other operating expenses. Higher revenue from new firm contracts was offset by lower revenue from off-system sales.

In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $5 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 primarily from its 50 percent interest in the Southeast Supply Header (SESH), which went into service in September 2008, compared to equity income of $2 million for the same period of 2008.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $256 million compared to $293 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was primarily due to higher pension and other operating expenses. Higher revenue from new firm contracts was partially offset by lower revenue from ancillary services and off-system sales. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008, included a net gain of $11 million associated with the sale of two storage development projects and a write-down of pipeline assets removed from service.

In addition to operating income, this segment had equity income of $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily from its interest in SESH, which included non-cash charges of $16 million to reflect SESH's discontinued use of regulatory accounting. For the year ended December 31, 2008, equity income was $36 million primarily from allowance for funds used during construction.

Field Services

The field services segment reported operating income of $22 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $26 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was primarily the result of commodity prices that were higher in 2008 than in 2009, partially offset by growth in core gathering throughput.

In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 from its 50 percent interest in a gas processing plant. The decline was primarily due to lower natural gas liquids prices.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $94 million compared to $147 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was primarily the result of commodity prices that were significantly lower in 2009 than in 2008, partially offset by growth in core gathering throughput. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008, included gains of $17 million associated with the sale of non-strategic assets and the settlement of a contractual dispute. Equity income from the jointly-owned gas processing plant was $8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $15 million for the same period of 2008.

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

The competitive natural gas sales and services segment reported operating income of $21 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $26 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was due to reduced locational and seasonal price differentials, partially offset by lower operation and maintenance expenses. In addition, operating income for the fourth quarter of 2009 included charges of $1 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain forward natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins. The fourth quarter of 2008 included a $6 million write-down of natural gas inventory to the lower of average cost or market.

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $21 million compared to $62 million for the same period of 2008. The decline in operating income was due to substantially reduced locational and seasonal price differentials. In addition, operating income for the year ended December 31, 2009, included charges of $23 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting compared to gains of $13 million for the same period of 2008. The year ended December 31, 2009, also included $6 million in inventory write-downs compared to $30 million in inventory write-downs for the same period of 2008.

DIVIDEND DECLARATION

On January 21, 2010, CenterPoint Energy's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.195 per share of common stock payable on March 10, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 16, 2010. This represents more than a 2.6 percent increase over the $0.19 per share of common stock quarterly dividends paid by the company in 2009.

OUTLOOK FOR 2010

CenterPoint Energy expects earnings for 2010 to be in the range of $1.02 to $1.12 per diluted share. This guidance takes into consideration various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which the company operates. The company has made certain assumptions regarding the timing and cost of certain financing activities and the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings. In providing this guidance, the company has not included the impact of any changes in accounting standards, any impact from acquisitions or divestitures, the timing effects of mark-to-market or inventory accounting in the company's competitive natural gas sales and services business, or the outcome of the TDU's true-up appeal. The company has also excluded any impact to income from the change in value of Time Warner stocks and the related ZENS securities. For the impact of these factors on 2009 earnings, see the attached reconciliation.

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

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009. A copy of that report is available on the company's Web site, www.CenterPointEnergy.com, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and other documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found on that site.

WEBCAST OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

CenterPoint Energy's management will host an earnings conference call on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. Central time or 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call at www.CenterPointEnergy.com. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the Web site for at least one year. Supplemental materials are also available on the company's Web site.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines, and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total nearly $20 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

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



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





                      CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


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

                                                           Full Year Ended
                                                          December 31, 2009
                                                          -----------------
                                                          Net Income    EPS
                                                          ----------    ---
                                                        (in millions)

    As reported                                             $372       $1.01
      Timing effects impacting CES*:
        Mark-to-market (gains) losses - natural gas
         derivative contracts                                 15        0.04
        Natural gas inventory write-downs                      4        0.01
      ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
        Marketable securities**                              (53)      (0.15)
        Indexed debt securities                               44        0.12
      Accounting change***                                    10        0.03
                                                              --        ----
    Per earnings guidance                                   $392       $1.06
                                                            ====       =====

    *     Competitive natural gas sales and services
    **   Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. and AOL Inc.
    *** Non-cash charge to reflect SESH's discontinued use of regulatory
    accounting



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


                                                Quarter Ended   Year Ended
                                                December 31,    December 31,
                                                ------------    ------------
                                                 2008   2009    2008    2009
                                                 ----   ----    ----    ----


    Revenues:
        Electric Transmission & Distribution     $445   $472  $1,916  $2,013
        Natural Gas Distribution                1,250  1,043   4,226   3,384
        Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
         Services                                 896    634   4,528   2,230
        Interstate Pipelines                      182    137     650     598
        Field Services                             61     65     252     241
        Other Operations                            3      2      11      11
        Eliminations                              (63)   (54)   (261)   (196)
                                                  ---    ---    ----    ----
            Total                               2,774  2,299  11,322   8,281
                                                -----  -----  ------   -----

    Expenses:
        Natural gas                             1,791  1,290   7,466   4,371
        Operation and maintenance                 424    438   1,502   1,664
        Depreciation and amortization             168    181     708     743
        Taxes other than income taxes              88     91     373     379
                                                  ---    ---     ---     ---
            Total                               2,471  2,000  10,049   7,157
                                                -----  -----  ------   -----
    Operating Income                              303    299   1,273   1,124
                                                  ---    ---   -----   -----

    Other Income (Expense) :
        Gain (loss) on marketable securities      (66)    14    (139)     82
        Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities     62    (14)    128     (68)
        Interest and other finance charges       (122)  (129)   (468)   (513)
        Interest on transition and system
         restoration bonds                        (34)   (33)   (136)   (131)
        Distribution from AOL Time Warner
         litigation settlement                      -      3       -       3
        Additional distribution to ZENS holders     -     (3)      -      (3)
        Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
         affiliates                                 5      7      51      15
        Other - net                                 4      8      14      39
                                                  ---    ---     ---     ---
            Total                                (151)  (147)   (550)   (576)
                                                 ----   ----    ----    ----

    Income Before Income Taxes                    152    152     723     548

    Income Tax Expense                            (65)   (47)   (277)   (176)
                                                  ---    ---    ----    ----

    Net Income                                    $87   $105    $446    $372
                                                  ===   ====    ====    ====


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


                                           Quarter Ended    Year Ended
                                            December 31,    December 31,
                                            ------------    ------------
                                            2008    2009    2008    2009
                                            ----    ----    ----    ----


      Basic Earnings Per Common Share      $0.25   $0.27   $1.32   $1.02
                                           =====   =====   =====   =====

      Diluted Earnings Per Common Share    $0.25   $0.27   $1.30   $1.01
                                           =====   =====   =====   =====

      Dividends Declared per Common
       Share                             $0.1825   $0.19   $0.73   $0.76

        Weighted Average Common Shares
         Outstanding (000):
          - Basic                        344,536 390,922 336,387 365,229
          - Diluted                      346,839 393,472 343,555 367,681


    Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
    -----------------------------------

      Electric Transmission & Distribution:
        Electric Transmission and
         Distribution Operations             $55     $61    $407    $414
        Competition Transition Charge          -       -       5       -
                                             ---     ---     ---     ---
            Total Electric Transmission
             and Distribution Utility         55      61     412     414
        Transition and System
         Restoration Bond Companies           33      34     133     131
                                             ---     ---     ---     ---
            Total Electric Transmission
             & Distribution                   88      95     545     545
      Natural Gas Distribution                96      99     215     204
      Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
       Services                               26      21      62      21
      Interstate Pipelines                    66      62     293     256
      Field Services                          26      22     147      94
      Other Operations                         1       -      11       4
                                             ---     ---     ---     ---

      Total                                 $303    $299  $1,273  $1,124
                                            ====    ====  ======  ======


    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                 Year Ended
                          December 31,                 December 31,
                         -------------   % Diff       -------------    % Diff
                                           Fav/                         Fav/
                        2008        2009  (Unfav)    2008        2009  (Unfav)
                        ----        ----  -------    ----        ----  -------
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues:
      Electric
       transmission
       and
       distribution
       utility          $373        $392     5%     $1,593      $1,673     5%
      Transition and
       system
       restoration
       bond companies
                          72          80    11%        323         340     5%
                         ---         ---               ---         ---
        Total            445         472     6%      1,916       2,013     5%
                         ---         ---             -----       -----

    Expenses:
      Operation and
       maintenance       201         211    (5%)       703         774   (10%)
      Depreciation
       and
       amortization       69          70    (1%)       277         277     -
      Taxes other
       than income
       taxes              48          50    (4%)       201         208    (3%)
      Transition and
       system
       restoration
       bond companies     39          46   (18%)       190         209   (10%)
                         ---         ---               ---         ---

        Total            357         377    (6%)     1,371       1,468    (7%)
                         ---         ---             -----       -----
    Operating Income     $88         $95     8%       $545        $545     -
                         ===         ===              ====        ====

    Operating Income:
      Electric
       transmission
       and
       distribution
       operations        $55         $61    11%       $407        $414     2%
      Competition
       transition
       charge              -           -     -           5           -  (100%)
      Transition and
       system
       restoration
       bond companies     33          34     3%        133         131    (2%)
                         ---         ---               ---         ---

          Total
           Segment
           Operating
           Income        $88         $95     8%       $545        $545     -
                         ===         ===              ====        ====


    Electric
     Transmission
     & Distribution
     Operating Data:
    Actual
     MWH Delivered
      Residential  4,635,129   4,774,799     3% 24,258,254  24,815,397     2%
      Total       16,316,691  16,632,601     2% 74,839,972  74,579,298     -

    Weather
     (average for
     service area):
    Percentage of
     10-year
     average:
      Cooling degree
       days               88%         82%   (6%)       102%        105%    3%
      Heating degree
       days               88%        122%   34%         92%        103%   11%


    Number of metered
     customers -
     end of period:
      Residential  1,821,267   1,849,019     2%  1,821,267   1,849,019     2%
      Total        2,064,854   2,094,210     1%  2,064,854   2,094,210     1%



                                        Natural Gas Distribution
                        ------------------------------------------------------
                        Quarter Ended                 Year Ended
                         December 31,                 December 31,
                        -------------    % Diff      -------------     % Diff
                                           Fav/                         Fav/
                        2008     2009    (Unfav)     2008     2009     (Unfav)
                        ----     ----    -------     ----     ----     -------
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues          $1,250      $1,043   (17%)    $4,226      $3,384   (20%)
                      ------      ------            ------      ------
    Expenses:
      Natural gas        928         713    23%      3,124       2,251    28%
      Operation and
       maintenance       153         161    (5%)       589         639    (8%)
      Depreciation
       and
       amortization       39          40    (3%)       157         161    (3%)
      Taxes other
       than income
       taxes              34          30    12%        141         129     9%
                         ---         ---               ---         ---
        Total          1,154         944    18%      4,011       3,180    21%
                       -----         ---             -----       -----
    Operating
     Income              $96         $99     3%       $215        $204    (5%)
                         ===         ===              ====        ====

    Natural Gas
     Distribution
     Operating Data:
    Throughput
     data in BCF
      Residential         58          62     7%        175         173    (1%)
      Commercial
       and
      Industrial          65          69     6%        236         233    (1%)
                         ---         ---               ---         ---
        Total
         Throughput      123         131     7%        411         406    (1%)
                         ===         ===               ===         ===


    Weather (average
     for service area)
    Percentage of
     10-year average:
      Heating degree
       days              102%        110%    8%        104%        105%    1%


    Number of
     customers
     - end of
     period:
      Residential  2,987,222   3,002,114     -   2,987,222   3,002,114     -
      Commercial
       and
       Industrial    248,476     244,101    (2%)   248,476     244,101    (2%)
                     -------     -------           -------     -------
        Total      3,235,698   3,246,215     -   3,235,698   3,246,215     -
                   =========   =========         =========   =========


    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 Ended             Year Ended
                         December 31,             December 31,
                         ------------   % Diff   -------------  % Diff
                                          Fav/                    Fav/
                          2008   2009   (Unfav)  2008   2009    (Unfav)
                          ----   ----   -------  ----   ----    -------
    Results of
     Operations:
    Revenues              $896   $634     (29%) $4,528 $2,230     (51%)
                          ----   ----           ------ ------
    Expenses:
        Natural gas        856    603      30%   4,423  2,165      51%
        Operation and
         maintenance        13      9      31%      39     39       -
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization        1      1       -        3      4     (33%)
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes               -      -       -        1      1       -
                           ---    ---              ---    ---
            Total          870    613      30%   4,466  2,209      51%
                           ---    ---            -----  -----
    Operating Income       $26    $21     (19%)    $62    $21     (66%)
                           ===    ===              ===    ===

    Competitive Natural
     Gas Sales and
     Services Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in
     BCF                   136    134      (1%)    528    504      (5%)
                           ===    ===              ===    ===

    Number of customers
     - end of period     9,771 11,168      14%   9,771 11,168      14%
                         ===== ======            ===== ======



                                   Interstate Pipelines
                        -----------------------------------------------
                        Quarter Ended             Year Ended
                         December 31,            December 31,
                         ------------   % Diff   ------------   % Diff
                                          Fav/                    Fav/
                          2008   2009   (Unfav)   2008   2009   (Unfav)
                          ----   ----   -------   ----   ----   -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues              $182   $137     (25%)   $650   $598      (8%)
                          ----   ----             ----   ----
    Expenses:
        Natural gas         58     12      79%     155     97      37%
        Operation and
         maintenance        40     43      (8%)    133    166     (25%)
        Depreciation
         and
         amortization       12     12       -       46     48      (4%)
        Taxes other
         than income
         taxes               6      8     (33%)     23     31     (35%)
                           ---    ---              ---    ---
            Total          116     75      35%     357    342       4%
                           ---    ---              ---    ---
    Operating Income       $66    $62      (6%)   $293   $256     (13%)
                           ===    ===             ====   ====


    Pipelines Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
        Transportation     393    357      (9%)  1,538  1,592       4%
                           ===    ===            =====  =====




    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)


                                              Field Services
                              ---------------------------------------------
                              Quarter Ended           Year Ended
                               December 31,           December 31,
                               -----------    % Diff  -----------   % Diff
                                               Fav/                   Fav/
                               2008   2009   (Unfav)  2008   2009   (Unfav)
                               ----   ----   -------  ----   ----   -------
    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                    $61    $65       7%   $252   $241      (4%)
                                ---    ---            ----   ----
    Expenses:
        Natural gas              10     15     (50%)    21     51    (143%)
        Operation and
         maintenance             21     23     (10%)    69     77     (12%)
        Depreciation and
         amortization             3      4     (33%)    12     15     (25%)
        Taxes other than
         income taxes             1      1       -       3      4     (33%)
                                ---    ---             ---    ---
            Total                35     43     (23%)   105    147     (40%)
                                ---    ---             ---    ---
    Operating Income            $26    $22     (15%)  $147    $94     (36%)
                                ===    ===            ====    ===


    Field Services Operating
     Data:
    Throughput data in BCF
        Gathering               110    114       4%    421    426       1%
                                ===    ===             ===    ===


                                             Other Operations
                                             ----------------
                              Quarter Ended           Year Ended
                               December 31,           December 31,
                               -----------    % Diff  ------------  % Diff
                                               Fav/                   Fav/
                               2008   2009   (Unfav)  2008   2009   (Unfav)
                               ----   ----   -------  ----   ----   -------

    Results of Operations:
    Revenues                     $3     $2     (33%)   $11    $11       -
    Expenses                      2      2       -       -      7       -
                                ---    ---             ---    ---
    Operating Income             $1     $-    (100%)   $11     $4     (64%)
                                ===    ===             ===    ===




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

                                  Quarter Ended     Year Ended
                                   December 31,    December 31,
                                   -----------     ------------
                                   2008   2009     2008     2009
                                   ----   ----     ----     ----
    Capital Expenditures by
     Segment
        Electric Transmission
         & Distribution             $80   $114     $336     $402
        Hurricane Ike                 4      -      145       26
                                      -      -      ---       --
          Total Electric
           Transmission &
           Distribution              84    114      481      428
        Natural Gas
         Distribution                63     44      214      165
        Competitive Natural
         Gas Sales and Services
                                      5      -        8        2
        Interstate Pipelines         59     58      189      176
        Field Services               45    131      122      348
        Other Operations             21     11       39       29
                                    ---    ---      ---      ---
            Total                  $277   $358   $1,053   $1,148
                                   ====   ====   ======   ======



                            Interest Expense Detail
                             (Millions of Dollars)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                  Quarter Ended     Year Ended
                                   December 31,     December 31,
                                    -----------    ------------
                                    2008   2009    2008    2009
                                    ----   ----    ----    ----
    Interest Expense Detail
        Amortization of
         Deferred Financing
         Cost                        $7      $7     $25     $34
        Capitalization of
         Interest Cost               (2)      -     (12)     (4)
        Transition and System
         Restoration Bond
         Interest Expense            34      33     136     131
        Other Interest Expense      117     122     455     483
                                    ---     ---     ---     ---
            Total Interest
             Expense               $156    $162    $604    $644
                                   ====    ====    ====    ====






     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,
                                                        2008         2009
                                                        ----         ----


                          ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                          $167         $740
      Other current assets                              2,868        2,164
                                                        -----        -----
          Total current assets                          3,035        2,904
                                                        -----        -----

    Property, Plant and Equipment, net                 10,296       10,788
                                                       ------       ------

    Other Assets:
      Goodwill                                          1,696        1,696
      Regulatory assets                                 3,684        3,677
      Other non-current assets                            965          708
                                                          ---          ---
          Total other assets                            6,345        6,081
                                                        -----        -----
            Total Assets                              $19,676      $19,773
                                                      =======      =======

           LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
      Short-term borrowings                              $153          $55
      Current portion of transition and system
       restoration bonds long-term debt                   208          241
      Current portion of other long-term debt             125          662
      Other current liabilities                         2,362        2,080
                                                        -----        -----
          Total current liabilities                     2,848        3,038
                                                        -----        -----

    Other Liabilities:
      Accumulated deferred income taxes, net and
       investment tax credit                            2,632        2,792
      Regulatory liabilities                              821          921
      Other non-current liabilities                     1,172        1,264
                                                        -----        -----
          Total other liabilities                       4,625        4,977
                                                        -----        -----

    Long-term Debt:
      Transition and system restoration bonds           2,381        2,805
      Other                                             7,800        6,314
                                                        -----        -----
          Total long-term debt                         10,181        9,119
                                                       ------        -----

    Shareholders' Equity                                2,022        2,639
                                                        -----        -----
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
           Equity                                     $19,676      $19,773
                                                      =======      =======


    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)


                                                              Year Ended
                                                              December 31,
                                                             -------------
                                                              2008   2009
                                                              ----   ----

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
      Net income                                              $446   $372
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                          737    780
        Deferred income taxes                                  487    269
        Write-down of natural gas inventory                     30      6
        Changes in net regulatory assets                      (366)     -
        Changes in other assets and liabilities               (450)   398
        Other, net                                             (33)    16
                                                               ---     --
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                  851  1,841

    Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                   (1,368)  (896)

    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities        555   (372)
                                                               ---   ----

    Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                   38    573

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period           129    167

                                                              ----   ----
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                $167   $740
                                                              ====   ====


    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.

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