SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): APRIL 8, 2003

                                   ----------

                            CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                                                              
            TEXAS                                  1-31447                              74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction              (Commission File Number)                     (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)                                                             Identification No.)


                    1111 LOUISIANA
                    HOUSTON, TEXAS                                            77002
       (Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111




ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (c) Exhibits.

         The following exhibit is filed herewith:

         99.1 CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Slide

ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

         A copy of a slide presenting the external debt balances of CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy") that CenterPoint Energy expects will be
presented to various members of the financial and investment community from time
to time is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1. A copy of the slide will
also be available on CenterPoint Energy's website, www.centerpointenergy.com.
The slide is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Regulation FD. Accordingly,
the slide will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement
filed by CenterPoint Energy under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless
specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference. The
furnishing of the slide is not intended to, and does not, constitute a
determination or admission by CenterPoint Energy that the information in the
slide is material or complete, or that investors should consider this
information before making an investment decision with respect to any security of
CenterPoint Energy or any of its affiliates.


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                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                          CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.



Date:  April 8, 2003                      By:  /s/ JAMES S. BRIAN
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               James S. Brian
                                               Senior Vice President and
                                               Chief Accounting Officer



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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX






Exhibit
 Number                        Exhibit Description
- -------                        -------------------
                        
  99.1                     CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Slide

 

Exhibit 99.1

External Debt and Trust Preferred Securities of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and its Subsidiaries
March 31, 2003

($ in millions)

TOTALS
Debt (excl. Trans. Bonds and ZENS) $9,944
Transition Bonds 729
ZENS (linked to AOL stock) 104
Subtotal 10,777
Trust Preferred Securities 725
Total Debt and Trust Preferred Securities $11,502
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP)
ZENS $ 104(1)
Collateralized Pollution Control Bonds
First Mortgage Bond Collateral 397(2)
General Mortgage Bond Collateral 527(2)
Uncollateralized Pollution Control Bonds 519(3)
Bank Loans 3,797(4)
Total $5,344
Utility Holding, LLC
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
(formerly Reliant Energy Resources Corp.)
Debentures/Notes $2,210
Convertible Subordinated Debentures 79
Note Payable 41(5)
Bank Loans 0(6)
Total $2,330
Off Balance Sheet Receivables Facility $150(7)
NorAm Financing I Gas Pipelines
Trust Preferred Securities $0.4
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
(formerly Reliant Energy, Incorporated)
First Mortgage Bonds $ 302
General Mortgage Bonds 762
Collateralized Term Loan 1,310(8)
Total $2,374
CenterPoint Energy Transition
Bond Company, LLC
Transition Bonds $729
Texas Genco GP, LLC 1%
Texas Genco LP, LLC 99%
Texas Genco, LP
Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. International HL&P Capital Trust I/HL&P Capital Trust II/REI Trust I
Preferred Securities $725
(1) Principal amount on which 2% interest is paid is $840 million. Debt component is $104 million. Derivative component is $182 million.
(2) The collateralized pollution control bonds (aggregating $924 million) are obligations of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. However, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC has issued first mortgage bonds aggregating $397 million and general mortgage bonds aggregating $527 million as collateral for the CenterPoint Energy, Inc. obligations.
(3) $175 million of these bonds were owned by CenterPoint Energy, Inc. on March 31, 2003 pending remarketing
(4) Borrowings under $3.80 billion bank facility. Temporary investments totaled $279 million.
(5) Non-interest bearing obligation to a former affiliate related to monies previously advanced to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. by a third party and for which the former affiliate remains obligated. A payment of $5 million is due in April 2003 and the remaining $36 million is payable in June 2005.
(6) Borrowings under $200 million bank facility
(7) Advances under $150 million receivables facility; advances are not reflected as debt on the balance sheet. (8) Loan is collateralized by general mortgage bonds.
(9) Amounts shown exclude unamortized discount and premium.