Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments The Registrants are exposed to various market risks. These risks arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. The Registrants utilize derivative instruments such as physical forward contracts, swaps and options to mitigate the impact of changes in commodity prices, weather and interest rates on operating results and cash flows.

(a) Non-Trading Activities

Commodity Derivative Instruments (CenterPoint Energy). CenterPoint Energy, through its Indiana utilities, enter into certain derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of commodity price movements. Outstanding derivative instruments designated as economic hedges at the Indiana Utilities hedge long-term variable rate natural gas purchases. The Indiana utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging natural gas purchases, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset. All other financial instruments do not qualify or are not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.

On February 24, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, through its subsidiary CERC Corp., entered into the Equity Purchase Agreement to sell the Energy Services Disposal Group. The transaction closed on June 1, 2020. As a result, the following disclosures do not include the Energy Services Disposal Group. See Note 4 for further information.

Interest Rate Risk Derivative Instruments. From time to time, the Registrants may enter into interest rate derivatives that are designated as economic or cash flow hedges. The objective of these hedges is to offset risk associated with interest rates borne by the Registrants in connection with an anticipated future fixed rate debt offering or other exposure to variable rate debt. The Indiana Utilities have authority to refund and recover mark-to-market gains and losses associated with hedging financing activity, and thus the gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in a regulatory liability or asset. For the impacts of cash flow hedges to Accumulated other comprehensive income, see Note 13.

The table below summarizes the Registrants’ outstanding interest rate hedging activity:


	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Hedging Classification	Notional Principal
	(in millions)
Economic hedge (1)	$	84		$	84

(1)Relates to interest rate derivative instruments at SIGECO.

Weather Hedges (CenterPoint Energy and CERC). CenterPoint Energy and CERC have weather normalization or other rate mechanisms that largely mitigate the impact of weather on Natural Gas in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma, as applicable. CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas in Texas and CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations in Texas and Indiana do not have such mechanisms, although fixed customer charges are historically higher in Texas for Natural Gas compared to its other jurisdictions. As a result, fluctuations from normal weather may have a positive or negative effect on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s Natural Gas’ results in Texas and on CenterPoint Energy’s electric operations’ results in its Texas and Indiana service territories.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC, as applicable, enter into winter season weather hedges from time to time for certain Natural Gas jurisdictions and electric operations’ service territory to mitigate the effect of fluctuations from normal weather on results of operations and cash flows. These weather hedges are based on heating degree days at 10-year normal weather. Houston Electric and Indiana Electric do not enter into weather hedges.

(b) Derivative Fair Values and Income Statement Impacts

The following tables present information about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The first table provides a balance sheet overview of Derivative Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, while the last table provides a breakdown of the related income statement impacts for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items

CenterPoint Energy


		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Balance Sheet Location	Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value		Derivative Assets Fair Value		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
		(in millions)






Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Current Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	7
Natural gas derivatives (1)	Other Liabilities: Non-trading derivative liabilities	—		7		—		15
Interest rate derivatives	Other Liabilities	—		20		—		10
Indexed debt securities derivative (2)	Current Liabilities	—		953		—		893
	Total	$	—	$	983	$	—	$	925

(1)Natural gas contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. This netting applies to all undisputed amounts due or past due. However, the mark-to-market fair value of each natural gas contract is in a liability position with no offsetting amounts

(2)Derivative component of the ZENS obligation that represents the ZENS holder’s option to receive the appreciated value of the reference shares at maturity. See Note 12 for further information.

Income Statement Impact of Hedge Accounting Activity (CenterPoint Energy)

CenterPoint Energy


		Year Ended December 31,
	Income Statement Location	2020		2019		2018
		(in millions)
Effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the income statement:
Indexed debt securities derivative	Loss on indexed debt securities	(60)		(292)		(232)
Interest rate derivatives	Gains in Other Income (Expense)	—		—		2
Total CenterPoint Energy		$	(60)	$	(292)	$	(230)

Certain of CenterPoint Energy’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require CenterPoint Energy’s debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating on its long-term unsecured unsubordinated debt from S&P and Moody’s. If CenterPoint Energy’s debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment.


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
	(in millions)
Aggregate fair value of derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position	$	20	$	10
Fair value of collateral already posted	7		—
Additional collateral required to be posted if credit risk contingent features triggered (1)	3		—

(1)The maximum collateral required if further escalating collateral is triggered would equal the net liability position.