UNITED STATES

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): September 24, 2018

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

Emerging Growth Company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

On April 21, 2018, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Vectren Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Vectren”), and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into Vectren (the “Merger”), with Vectren continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company expects to complete the Merger in the first quarter of 2019.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed to provide pro forma condensed combined financial information relating to the Merger, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)Pro Forma Financial Information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information relating to the Merger is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The exhibits listed below are filed herewith.

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.

Exhibit 12.1

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. The ratios are calculated pursuant to the applicable rules of the SEC.

1

Exhibit 99.1

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements (pro forma financial statements) have been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CenterPoint Energy) and Vectren Corporation (Vectren). The following pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction with:

On April 21, 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (Merger Agreement), by and among CenterPoint Energy, Vectren and Pacer Merger Sub, Inc., an Indiana corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy (Merger Sub). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into Vectren (Vectren Merger), with Vectren continuing as the surviving corporation in the Vectren Merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy.

The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income (pro forma statements of income) for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and the year ended December 31, 2017, give effect to the Vectren Merger as if it were completed on January 1, 2017. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet (pro forma balance sheet) as of June 30, 2018, gives effect to the Vectren Merger as if it were completed on June 30, 2018.

The historical financial information has been adjusted in the pro forma financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are (i) directly attributable to the Vectren Merger, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) with respect to the statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results following the Vectren Merger.

The Vectren Merger will be accounted for as an acquisition of Vectren common shares by CenterPoint Energy and will follow the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The pro forma financial statements reflect an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.0 billion in cash, based upon the “Merger Consideration” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of $72.00 per share for each share of common stock of Vectren issued and outstanding immediately prior to close of the Vectren Merger.

CenterPoint Energy has obtained committed financing in the form of a $5.0 billion senior unsecured bridge term loan facility (Bridge Facility) from Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and a syndicate of lenders. Any borrowings under the Bridge Facility would be classified as short-term debt in current liabilities. As a result of the issuance of 800,000 shares of CenterPoint Energy’s Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock) with gross proceeds of $800 million on August 22, 2018, the commitments under the Bridge Facility were reduced to approximately $4.2 billion.

1

For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has assumed the receipt of gross proceeds from the following transactions (one of which has been completed) to fund, after payment of issuance costs and discounts, the approximately $6.0 billion cash consideration Vectren Merger purchase price (see Note 3 for further details):

However, in lieu of drawing on the Bridge Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, CenterPoint Energy anticipates financing the portion of the Vectren Merger reflected for those instruments above with debt securities and/or commercial paper, subject to then current market conditions, as well as with cash on hand. CenterPoint Energy’s permanent financing assumptions for debt securities and commercial paper (together, Merger Debt Financings) are detailed in the accompanying notes but are not reflected in the pro forma statements of income or pro forma balance sheet.

Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read with the pro forma financial statements. Because the pro forma financial statements have been prepared based on preliminary estimates, the total amounts recorded at the date of the Vectren Merger may differ materially from the information presented in the pro forma financial statements. These estimates are subject to change pending further review of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Vectren Merger and the final purchase price of the Vectren Merger.

The pro forma financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial position that would have been achieved had the pro forma events taken place on the dates indicated, or the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined company.

2

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

June 30, 2018

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

3

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET — (continued)

June 30, 2018

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

4

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

5

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

For the Year Ended December 31, 2017

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

6

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The pro forma statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and the year ended December 31, 2017, give effect to the Vectren Merger as if it were completed on January 1, 2017. The pro forma balance sheet as of June 30, 2018, gives effect to the Vectren Merger as if it were completed on June 30, 2018.

The pro forma financial statements have been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of CenterPoint Energy and Vectren. Certain financial statement line items included in Vectren’s historical presentation have been reclassified to conform to corresponding financial statement line items included in CenterPoint Energy’s historical presentation (see Note 6). These reclassifications have no material impact on the historical operating income, net income, total assets, total liabilities or shareholders’ equity reported by CenterPoint Energy or Vectren. The historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the pro forma financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are (i) directly attributable to the Vectren Merger, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) with respect to the pro forma statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results following the Vectren Merger.

Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in these notes, which should be read in conjunction with the pro forma financial statements. Since the pro forma financial statements have been prepared based upon preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded at the date of the Vectren Merger may differ materially from the information presented. These estimates are subject to change pending further review.

The Vectren Merger is reflected in the pro forma financial statements as an acquisition of Vectren by CenterPoint Energy, based on the guidance provided by accounting standards for business combinations. Under these accounting standards, the total estimated purchase price is allocated as described in Note 2 to the pro forma financial statements, and the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed have been measured at estimated fair value.

Vectren’s regulated operations are comprised of electric generation and electric and natural gas energy delivery services. These operations are subject to the rate-setting authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and are accounted for pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including the accounting guidance for regulated operations. The rate-setting and cost-recovery provisions currently in place for Vectren’s regulated operations provide revenues derived from costs including a return on investment of assets and liabilities included in rate base. Thus, the fair values of Vectren’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities subject to these rate-setting provisions approximate their carrying values, and the pro forma financial statements do not reflect any net adjustments related to these amounts. Therefore, the excess purchase price over carrying value of net assets attributable to regulated operations is estimated to be comprised entirely of goodwill. The carrying values of Vectren’s non-regulated property, plant and equipment, which consists primarily of vehicles and equipment, and long-term debt, including the elimination of debt issuance costs, as of June 30, 2018, were reviewed and determined to approximate fair value; therefore, no fair value adjustment was reflected in the pro forma financial statements related to these balances.

The accounting policies used in the preparation of the pro forma financial statements are those described in CenterPoint Energy’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. CenterPoint Energy performed a preliminary review of Vectren’s accounting policies to determine whether any adjustments were necessary to ensure comparability in the pro forma financial statements. At this time, CenterPoint Energy is not aware of any differences that would have a material effect on the pro forma financial statements, including any differences in the timing of adoption of new accounting standards, except for certain amounts that have been reclassified to conform to CenterPoint Energy’s financial statement

7

presentation (see Note 6). Upon completion of the Vectren Merger, or as more information becomes available, CenterPoint Energy will perform a more detailed review of Vectren’s accounting policies. As a result of that review, differences may be identified between the accounting policies of the two companies that, when conformed, could have a material impact on the pro forma financial statements. The 2017 historical statements of income for CenterPoint Energy and Vectren do not reflect new accounting standards retrospectively adopted on January 1, 2018.

CenterPoint Energy reviewed the historical financial information for intercompany transactions and found no eliminations were necessary. Transaction costs recorded in the historical income statement have been excluded from the pro forma statements of income as they reflect nonrecurring charges directly related to the Vectren Merger. However, the transaction costs not recorded in the historical balance sheet are reflected in the pro forma balance sheet as an increase in other current liabilities and a decrease in retained earnings.

The pro forma financial statements do not reflect the realization of any expected cost savings or other synergies from the Vectren Merger as a result of restructuring activities following the completion of the Vectren Merger. Certain of Vectren employment agreements contain severance or other termination arrangements; however, the pro forma financial statements do not reflect any such payments under these arrangements as employment decisions have not been finalized.

The estimated purchase price consideration of approximately $6.0 billion is based on the cash price of $72.00 per outstanding share of common stock of Vectren. The value of the purchase price consideration could change based on the actual number of shares of common stock of Vectren issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Vectren Merger.

CenterPoint Energy has performed a preliminary valuation analysis of the fair market value of Vectren’s assets and liabilities. The following table summarizes the allocation of the preliminary purchase price as of the acquisition date (in millions):

This preliminary purchase price allocation has been used to prepare pro forma adjustments in the pro forma balance sheet and pro forma statements of income. CenterPoint Energy has not completed a final valuation analysis necessary to determine the fair market values of all of Vectren’s assets and liabilities or the allocation of its purchase price. The final allocation could differ materially from the preliminary allocation used in the pro forma adjustments and, as such, no assurances can be provided regarding the preliminary purchase accounting. The final allocation may include (1) changes in fair values of property, plant and equipment, (2) changes in allocations to intangible assets and goodwill, and (3) other changes to assets and liabilities.

8

CenterPoint Energy sometimes refers to the planned issuance of its Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, together with its completed issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, as its Merger Equity Financings. CenterPoint Energy sometimes refers to the planned issuance of debt securities and commercial paper as its Merger Debt Financings. The actual size and terms of, and amounts of proceeds CenterPoint Energy receives from, its respective Merger Equity Financings and Merger Debt Financings (collectively, Merger Financings) will depend on, among other things, market conditions at the time of each Merger Financing and such other factors as CenterPoint Energy deems relevant and may differ, perhaps substantially, from the size, terms and amounts CenterPoint Energy has assumed in this Note 3 to the pro forma financial statements.

For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has assumed the receipt of gross proceeds from the following transactions (one of which has been completed) to fund, after payment of issuance costs and discounts, the approximately $6.0 billion cash consideration Vectren Merger purchase price further described below:

However, in lieu of drawing on the Bridge Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, CenterPoint Energy anticipates financing the portion of the Vectren Merger reflected for those instruments above with its Merger Debt Financings, subject to then current market conditions, as well as with cash on hand. CenterPoint Energy’s permanent financing assumptions for its Merger Debt Financings are detailed below but are not reflected in the pro forma statements of income or pro forma balance sheet.

CenterPoint Energy obtained commitments by lenders for a $5.0 billion, 364-day Bridge Facility to provide flexibility for the timing of the acquisition financing and fund, in part, amounts payable by CenterPoint Energy in connection with the Vectren Merger. As a result of the issuance of 800,000 shares of CenterPoint Energy’s Series A Preferred Stock with gross proceeds of $800 million on August 22, 2018, the commitments under the Bridge Facility were reduced to approximately $4.2 billion. For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy’s assumed borrowings under the Bridge Facility were reduced to $1.95 billion due to its Merger Equity Financings. For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has assumed a weighted-average interest rate of 5.4%, which includes duration and drawn fees on the $1.95 billion Bridge Facility borrowings. Drawn fees are estimated based on current 1-month LIBOR of 2.17% as of September 19, 2018, plus applicable margin under the Bridge Facility agreements. The Bridge Facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.0% to 2.0%, depending on CenterPoint Energy’s credit rating, subject to an increase of 0.25% for each 90 days that elapse after the closing of the Vectren Merger. Assuming CenterPoint Energy’s current credit ratings, the applicable margin increases 0.25% each 90 days after the closing of the Vectren Merger, from 1.25% to a maximum of 2.00%. Upon execution of the Bridge Facility, CenterPoint Energy deferred debt issuance costs of $25 million in other assets, of which $7 million was amortized as debt issuance expense in the historical financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

On August 22, 2018, CenterPoint Energy completed the issuance of 800,000 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock for $790 million, net of $10 million of issuance costs and discounts, with an aggregate liquidation value of $800 million. The Series A Preferred Stock accrue dividends in cash, calculated as a percentage of the aggregate liquidation value, at a fixed annual rate of 6.125% per annum to, but excluding, September 1, 2023, and at an annual rate of 3-month LIBOR plus a spread of 3.270% thereafter.

9

For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has presented its planned issuance of 750,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock for $729 million, net of $21 million of issuance costs and discounts, with an aggregate liquidation value of $750 million and a per share liquidation value of $1,000. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be represented by 20 depositary shares offered and sold to the public. At the mandatory conversion date, each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock will be converted into a variable number of shares of Common Stock, depending on the preceding 20-day volume-weighted-average-price of Common Stock and subject to possible adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock. CenterPoint Energy may pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock in cash or shares of Common Stock, calculated as a percentage of the aggregate liquidation value, at an assumed rate of 7.00% per annum. This assumed dividend rate is based on current market conditions. The actual terms, including but not limited to, dividend rate, shares issued (including as a result of any exercise of the underwriters’ option) and conversion rate, on the Series B Preferred Stock at the time of issuance may differ, perhaps substantially, from the assumptions CenterPoint Energy has applied in these pro forma financial statements.

Additionally, for purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has presented its planned issuance of 54 million shares of its Common Stock for $1.458 billion, net of $42 million of issuance costs and discounts, with an aggregate value of $1.5 billion, and that those shares will be issued at an assumed public offering price of $27.91 per share. This assumed issuance price is based on the closing price of Common Stock as traded on the New York Stock Exchange on September 19, 2018. The actual terms, including but not limited to, issuance price or shares issued (including as a result of any exercise of the underwriters’ option), of the Common Stock at the time it is issued may differ, perhaps substantially, from the assumptions CenterPoint Energy has applied in these pro forma financial statements.

In May 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into an amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility that will increase the aggregate commitments from $1.7 billion to $3.3 billion effective the earlier of (i) the termination of all commitments by certain lenders to provide the Bridge Facility and (ii) the payment in full of all obligations (other than contingent obligations) under the Bridge Facility and termination of all commitments to advance additional credit thereunder, and in each case, so long as the Merger Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to the terms thereof without consummation of the Vectren Merger. For purposes of the pro forma financial statements, CenterPoint Energy has assumed the balance of the purchase price consideration will be met by borrowings of approximately $1.064 billion under the Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.7%. Interest expense reflected in the pro forma financial statements includes arranger and commitments fees, as well as estimated interest on drawn amounts based on current 1-month LIBOR of 2.17% as of September 19, 2018, plus applicable rate under the Revolving Credit Facility, assuming current CenterPoint Energy Inc. issuer credit ratings.

In lieu of borrowings under the Bridge Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, CenterPoint Energy intends to consummate its Merger Debt Financings aggregating approximately $2.95 billion, net of issuance costs of $20 million, with an assumed weighted-average interest rate (including the index rate plus a credit spread) of 4.00% per annum. This assumed rate is based on borrowing costs for debt securities and commercial paper under current market conditions, presently expected to range from approximately 2.30% for commercial paper to up to 4.65% for senior notes. The actual interest rate and original issue discount on the Merger Debt Financings will be based on market conditions at the time the commercial paper and senior notes are issued and may differ, perhaps substantially, from the rate and discount assumed for purposes of the pro forma financial statements. Furthermore, any cash on hand may be used to reduce the Merger Debt Financings incurred to finance the Vectren Merger.

Because the Merger Debt Financings are contemplated to take place in the future, the pro forma financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting rules assuming that the purchase price in excess of the Merger Equity Financings will be financed from drawings under the Bridge Facility and under the Revolving Credit Facility. However, CenterPoint Energy currently does not intend to draw on the Bridge Facility or its Revolving Credit Facility but rather intends to fund the portion of the Vectren Merger purchase price reflected for those instruments with proceeds received through the Merger Debt Financings and cash on hand, although there is no guarantee that CenterPoint Energy will be able to consummate the Merger Debt Financings as planned or at all.

10

The pro forma adjustments are based on our preliminary estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The following adjustments have been reflected in the pro forma balance sheet:

11

12

In addition, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase an additional 2.25 million depositary shares representing Series B Preferred Stock, it would result in an additional $113 million of proceeds, subject to issuance costs and discounts. However, no such exercise is reflected in these pro forma financial statements.

13

In addition, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase an additional 8.1 million shares of Common Stock, it would result in an additional $225 million of proceeds, subject to issuance costs and discounts. However, no such exercise is reflected in these pro forma financial statements.

14

15

16

The gross proceeds (before issuance costs and discounts) CenterPoint Energy receives from the planned issuance of Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock will likely differ, perhaps materially, from the respective amounts CenterPoint Energy has assumed for purposes of the pro forma financial statements as described in Note 3 above. To the extent that the gross proceeds CenterPoint Energy receives from the issuance of Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock are less than or more than the amount assumed in the pro forma financial statements, the shortfall or excess will be financed by a corresponding increase or decrease in the gross proceeds from the Merger Debt Financings or cash on hand.

17

CenterPoint Energy has completed a preliminary review of the financial statement presentation of Vectren for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. During this review, the following financial statement reclassifications were performed in order to align the presentation of Vectren’s financial information with that of CenterPoint Energy:

18

19