EX-12 6 cnp_exhibit12x12312011.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES CNP_Exhibit 12_12.31.2011


Exhibit 12

 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Millions of Dollars)
 
 
     2007 (1)
 
     2008 (1)
 
      2009 (1)
 
     2010 (1)
 
     2011 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before extraordinary item
$
395

 
$
446

 
$
372

 
$
442

 
$
770

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions
(13
)
 
(51
)
 
(3
)
 
13

 
8

Income taxes
193

 
277

 
176

 
263

 
404

Capitalized interest
(22
)
 
(12
)
 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
553

 
660

 
541

 
709

 
1,178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges, as defined:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest
632

 
604

 
644

 
621

 
583

Capitalized interest
22

 
12

 
4

 
9

 
4

Interest component of rentals charged to operating expense
16

 
15

 
12

 
26

 
14

Total fixed charges
670

 
631

 
660

 
656

 
601

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings, as defined
$
1,223

 
$
1,291

 
$
1,201

 
$
1,365

 
$
1,779

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
1.83

 
2.05

 
1.82

 
2.08

 
2.96

________
(1)
Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is interest income of $4 million, interest expense of $9 million, interest income of $3 million, interest expense of $9 million and interest income of $12 million, respectively, which is included in income tax expense.