8-K

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): November 5, 2020

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

    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):

    ☐    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

    ☐    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

    ☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

    ☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value	CNP	The New York Stock Exchange
		Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
Depositary Shares for 1/20 of 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value	CNP/PB	The New York Stock Exchange

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. o

Item 2.02.     Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.

On November 5, 2020, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (“CenterPoint Energy”) reported third quarter 2020 earnings. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s third quarter 2020 earnings, please refer to CenterPoint Energy’s press release attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 (the “Press Release”), which Press Release is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 7.01.     Regulation FD Disclosure.

CenterPoint Energy is holding a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2020 earnings on November 5, 2020. Information about the call can be found in the Press Release furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s third quarter 2020 earnings, please refer to the supplemental materials which are being posted on CenterPoint Energy’s website and are attached to this report as Exhibit 99.2 (the “Supplemental Materials”), which Supplemental Materials are incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The information in the Press Release and the Supplemental Materials is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Items 2.02 and 7.01, respectively. Accordingly, the information in the Press Release and the Supplemental Materials 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.

(d) Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NUMBER	EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99.1	Press Release issued November 5, 2020 regarding CenterPoint Energy’s third quarter 2020 earnings
99.2	Supplemental Materials regarding CenterPoint Energy’s third quarter 2020 earnings
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

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: November 5, 2020	By:	/s/ Kristie L. Colvin
		Kristie L. Colvin
		Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

	For more information contact
	Media:
	Natalie Hedde
	Phone	812.491.5105
	Investors:
	David Mordy
	Phone	713.207.6500

For Immediate Release

CenterPoint Energy reports Q3 2020 earnings of $0.13 per diluted share; $0.34 diluted EPS on a guidance basis, with $0.29 diluted EPS from utility operations

and $0.05 diluted EPS from midstream investments

• Utilities led company with strong third quarter results

• Raising 2020 Utility EPS guidance range to $1.12 - $1.20 and reiterating 5% - 7% Utility EPS guidance basis growth rate target

• Third quarter 2020 GAAP results include after-tax non-cash impairment charges of $92 million or

      $0.15 per diluted share for the company's share of impairment charges recorded by Enable

Houston - Nov. 5, 2020 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported income available to common shareholders of $69 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, compared to income available to common shareholders of $241 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter 2020 results included after-tax non-cash impairment charges of $92 million or $0.15 per diluted share for the company’s share of impairment charges recorded by Enable Midstream Partners, LP (“Enable”).

On a guidance basis, third quarter 2020 earnings were $0.34 per diluted share, with $0.29 per diluted share from utility operations, and $0.05 per diluted share from midstream investments, excluding non-cash impairment charges. Third quarter 2019 earnings, on a guidance basis, were $0.47 per diluted share, with $0.39 per diluted share from utility operations and $0.08 per diluted share from midstream investments. See “Reconciliation of Consolidated income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share (GAAP) to guidance basis income and guidance basis diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)” and “Earnings Outlook and Non-GAAP Considerations” below.

“Our strong third quarter results confirm our commitment to delivering value for our customers and shareholders,” said Dave Lesar, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy. “Given the strength of our results, we are raising our 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS range to $1.12 - $1.20.”

Lesar added, “We also recently concluded the work of the Business Review and Evaluation Committee of the Board. We are eager to share our strategy and invite investors to join management for a virtual Investor Day on December 7, 2020.”

“During our Investor Day, we will highlight our updated long-term annual rate base growth projection of approximately 10%. This rate base growth is central to our strategy to deliver consistent year-over-year earnings growth to investors and improve service to our customers. The projected additional capital expenditures driving this 10% annual rate base growth not only put us in a position to reiterate our 5% - 7% five-year guidance basis Utility EPS annual growth target, but gives us confidence in being able to deliver results at the top end of that range. I remain greatly energized about CenterPoint Energy’s future and will continue to work tirelessly to drive maximum value for all of our stakeholders.”

--more--

Earnings Outlook and Non-GAAP Considerations

To provide greater transparency on utility earnings, 2020 guidance will be presented in two components, a guidance basis Utility EPS range and a Midstream Investments EPS expected range.

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with GAAP, including presentation of income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share, CenterPoint Energy provides guidance based on guidance basis income and guidance basis diluted earnings per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future financial performance that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Management evaluates CenterPoint Energy’s financial performance in part based on guidance basis earnings per share. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor’s understanding of CenterPoint Energy’s overall financial performance, including the impact of its Enable investment, by providing them with an additional meaningful and relevant comparison of current and anticipated future results across periods. The adjustments made in these non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that Management believes do not most accurately reflect the company’s fundamental business performance. These excluded items are reflected in the reconciliation tables of this news release, where applicable. CenterPoint Energy’s guidance basis income and guidance basis diluted earnings per share non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, which respectively are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures also may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

(1) Utility EPS Guidance Range

•The Utility EPS guidance range includes net income from Houston Electric, Indiana Electric and Natural Gas Distribution segments, as well as after tax Corporate and Other operating income.

•The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range reflects dilution and earnings as if the Series C preferred stock were issued as common stock.

•The Utility EPS guidance excludes:

◦Earnings or losses from the change in value of ZENS and related securities

◦Certain expenses associated with merger integration and Business Review and Evaluation Committee activities

◦Severance costs

◦Results related to Infrastructure Services and Energy Services, including costs and impairment resulting from the sale of those businesses

◦Midstream Investments and allocation of associated corporate overhead

In providing this guidance, CenterPoint Energy does not consider the items noted above and other potential impacts such as changes in accounting standards, impairments or other unusual items, which could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range also considers operations performance to date and assumptions for certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as customer growth (above 2% for electric operations and 1% for natural gas distribution) and usage including normal weather, throughput, recovery of capital invested, effective tax rates, financing activities and related interest rates, regulatory and judicial proceedings, and anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger. In addition, the Utility EPS guidance range incorporates a full-year COVID-19 scenario range of $0.10 - $0.15 which assumes reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues with the second quarter as the peak and reflects anticipated deferral and

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recovery of certain incremental expenses, including bad debt. The COVID-19 scenario range also assumes a gradual re-opening of the economy in CenterPoint Energy's service territories, with anticipated reduced demand and lower miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range also assumes an allocation of corporate overhead based upon its relative earnings contribution. Corporate overhead consists of interest expense, preferred stock dividend requirements, income on Enable preferred units and other items directly attributable to the parent along with the associated income taxes. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking guidance basis diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities, future impairments, and other unusual items are not estimable and are difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management’s control.

(2) Midstream Investments EPS Expected Range

The 2020 Midstream Investments EPS expected range is $0.15 - $0.18. In providing this EPS expected range for Midstream Investments, CenterPoint Energy assumes a 53.7 percent ownership of Enable's common units and includes the amortization of its basis differential in Enable and assumes an allocation of its corporate overhead based upon Midstream Investments relative earnings contribution. The Midstream Investments EPS expected range reflects dilution and earnings as if CenterPoint Energy's Series C preferred stock were issued as common stock. The Midstream Investments EPS expected range takes into account such factors as Enable’s most recent public outlook for 2020 dated November 4, 2020, and effective tax rates. In providing this 2020 guidance, CenterPoint Energy uses a non-GAAP measure of guidance basis diluted earnings per share that does not consider other potential impacts such as changes in accounting standards, impairments or Enable’s unusual items, which could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward looking guidance basis diluted earnings per share because changes in Enable’s outlook, future impairments related to Midstream Investments or Enable’s unusual items are not estimable and are difficult to predict due to various factors outside of CenterPoint Energy management’s control.

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Reconciliation of Consolidated income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share (GAAP) to guidance basis income and guidance basis diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)

Quarter Ended
September 30, 2020
	Utility Operations				Midstream Investments				Corporate and Other (6)				CES(1) & CIS(2) (Disc. Operations)				Consolidated
	Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)
Consolidated income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted EPS	$	193	$	0.35	$	(62)	$	(0.11)	$	(56)	$	(0.10)	$	(6)	$	(0.01)	$	69	$	0.13
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
Marketable securities (net of taxes of $18)(4)(5)	—		—		—		—		(65)		(0.12)		—		—		(65)		(0.12)
Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $18)(4)	—		—		—		—		66		0.12		—		—		66		0.12
Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $0, $1)(4)	2		—		—		—		2		0.01		—		—		4		0.01
Severance costs (net of taxes of $1)(4)	4		0.01		—		—		—		—		—		—		4		0.01
Impacts associated with the sales of CES (1) and CIS (2) (net of taxes of $0)(4)	—		—		—		—		—		—		7		0.01		7		0.01
Impacts associated with Series C preferred stock
Preferred stock dividend requirement and amortization of beneficial conversion feature	—		—		—		—		23		0.04		—		—		23		0.04
Impact of increased share count on EPS if issued as common stock	—		(0.03)		—		0.01		—		0.01		—		—		—		(0.01)
Total Series C preferred stock impacts	—		(0.03)		—		0.01		23		0.05		—		—		23		0.03
Loss on impairment (net of taxes of $29)(4)	—		—		92		0.15		—		—		—		—		92		0.15
Corporate and Other Allocation	(26)		(0.04)		(3)		—		30		0.04		(1)		—		—		—
Consolidated on a guidance basis	$	173	$	0.29	$	27	$	0.05	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	200	$	0.34
(1) Energy Services segment
(2) Infrastructure Services segment
(3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS
(4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense
(5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders

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Quarter Ended
September 30, 2019
	Utility Operations				Midstream Investments				Corporate and Other (6)				CES(1) & CIS(2) (Disc. Operations)				Consolidated
	Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)		Dollars in millions		Diluted EPS (3)
Consolidated income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted EPS	$	225	$	0.44	$	50	$	0.10	$	(53)	$	(0.10)	$	19	$	0.03	$	241	$	0.47
Timing effects impacting CES (1):
Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $1)(4)	—		—		—		—		—		—		1		—		1		—
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
Marketable securities (net of taxes of $12)(4)(5)	—		—		—		—		(47)		(0.09)		—		—		(47)		(0.09)
Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $12) (4)	—		—		—		—		50		0.10		—		—		50		0.10
Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $2, $7, $1)(4)	3		0.01		—		—		13		0.03		4		0.01		20		0.05
Corporate and Other Allocation	(34)		(0.06)		(8)		(0.02)		37		0.06		5		0.02		—		—
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations (7)	—		—		—		—		—		—		(29)		(0.06)		(29)		(0.06)
Consolidated on a guidance basis	$	194	$	0.39	$	42	$	0.08	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	236	$	0.47
(1) Energy Services segment
(2) Infrastructure Services segment
(3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS
(4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense
(5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders
(7) Results related to discontinued operations are excluded from the company's guidance basis results

Filing of Form 10-Q for CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. A copy of that report is available on the company’s website, under the Investors section. Investors and others should note that we may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts, and the Investor Relations page of our website. In the future, we will continue to use these channels to distribute material information about the company and to communicate important information about the company, key personnel, corporate initiatives, regulatory updates and other matters. Information that we post on our website could be deemed material; therefore we encourage investors, the media, our customers, business partners and others interested in our company to review the information we post on our website.

Webcast of Earnings Conference Call

CenterPoint Energy’s management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at 7:00 a.m. Central time/8:00 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call on the company’s website under the Investors section. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the website for at least one year.

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About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of September 30, 2020, the company owned approximately $33 billion in assets and also owned 53.7 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 9,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes, and the earnings conference call will include, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release or on the earnings conference call regarding capital investments, rate base growth and our ability to achieve it, future earnings and guidance, including long-term growth rate, and future financial performance and results of operations, including, but not limited to the impact of COVID-19, including with respect to regulatory actions and the COVID-19 scenario range discussed in this news release, the Business Review and Evaluation Committee’s review process and outcomes, value creation, opportunities and expectations and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or discussed on the earnings conference call speaks only as of the date of this release or the earnings conference call.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the performance of Enable, the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, and the value of CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable;

(2) CenterPoint Energy's expected benefits of the merger with Vectren Corporation (Vectren) and integration, including the ability to successfully integrate the Vectren businesses and to realize anticipated benefits and commercial opportunities;

(3) financial market and general economic conditions, including access to debt and equity capital and the effect on sales, prices and costs; (4) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy’s service territories and changes in market demand; (5) actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings; (6) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legal proceedings; (7) legislative decisions, including tax and developments related to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling of coal combustion residuals, among others, and CenterPoint Energy’s carbon reduction targets; (8) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; (9) the recording of impairment charges, including any impairments related to CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable; (10) weather variations and CenterPoint Energy’s ability to mitigate weather impacts; (11) changes in business plans; (12) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, including timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (13) CenterPoint Energy’s or Enable’s potential business strategies and strategic initiatives, including the recommendations and outcomes of the Business Review and Evaluation Committee, restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which may not be completed or result in the benefits anticipated by CenterPoint Energy or Enable; (14) CenterPoint Energy’s ability to execute operations and maintenance management initiatives; and (15) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” sections of such reports, and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Revenues:
Utility revenues	$	1,538	$	1,548	$	5,087	$	5,284
Non-utility revenues	84		110		277		261
Total	1,622		1,658		5,364		5,545
Expenses:
Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	170		171		981		1,228
Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas	63		80		196		188
Operation and maintenance	659		621		1,976		2,042
Depreciation and amortization	306		316		885		938
Taxes other than income taxes	122		113		387		352
Goodwill Impairment	—		—		185		—
Total	1,320		1,301		4,610		4,748
Operating Income	302		357		754		797
Other Income (Expense):
Gain on marketable securities	83		59		14		206
Loss on indexed debt securities	(84)		(62)		(25)		(216)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(121)		(134)		(388)		(389)
Interest expense on Securitization Bonds	(7)		(9)		(22)		(31)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(67)		77		(1,499)		213
Interest income	1		3		2		16
Interest income from Securitization Bonds	—		1		1		4
Other income, net	10		5		44		20
Total	(185)		(60)		(1,873)		(177)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	117		297		(1,119)		620
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10)		46		(328)		75
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	127		251		(791)		545
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations (net of tax expense of $-0-, $16, $21 and $38, respectively)	(6)		19		(182)		89
Net Income (Loss)	121		270		(973)		634
Income allocated to preferred shareholders	52		29		127		88
Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders	$	69	$	241	$	(1,100)	$	546

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Basic earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.04		(0.35)		0.18
Basic Earnings (loss) Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.48	$	(2.10)	$	1.09
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - continuing operations	$	0.14	$	0.44	$	(1.75)	$	0.91
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share - discontinued operations	(0.01)		0.03		(0.35)		0.17
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	0.13	$	0.47	$	(2.10)	$	1.08
Dividends Declared per Common Share	$	0.1500	$	0.2875	$	0.5900	$	0.5750
Dividends Paid per Common Share	$	0.1500	$	0.2875	$	0.5900	$	0.8625
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (in millions):
- Basic	545		502		525		502
- Diluted	548		505		525		505
Net Income (Loss) by Segment
Houston Electric T&D	$	157	$	185	$	281	$	315
Indiana Electric Integrated	31		34		(121)		41
Natural Gas Distribution	5		6		242		149
Total Utility Operations	193		225		402		505
Midstream Investments	(62)		50		(1,165)		124
Corporate and Other	(4)		(24)		(28)		(84)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	127		251		(791)		545
Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax	(6)		19		(182)		89
Net Income (Loss)	$	121	$	270	$	(973)	$	634

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Results of Operations by Segment

(Millions of Dollars, Except Throughput and Customer Data)

(Unaudited)

	Houston Electric T&D
	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Diff		Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Diff
	2020			2019			Fav/Unfav		2020			2019			Fav/Unfav
Revenues	$	828		$	859		(4)	%	$	2,186		$	2,313		(5)	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	381			359			(6)	%	1,104			1,086			(2)	%
Depreciation and amortization	151			168			10	%	420			519			19	%
Taxes other than income taxes	64			63			(2)	%	192			186			(3)	%
Total expenses	596			590			(1)	%	1,716			1,791			4	%
Operating Income	232			269			(14)	%	470			522			(10)	%
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(50)			(50)			—		(149)			(154)			3	%
Interest income	1			9			(89)	%	3			22			(86)	%
Other income (expense), net	—			(2)			—		4			(5)			180	%
Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	183			226			(19)	%	328			385			(15)	%
Income tax expense	26			41			37	%	47			70			33	%
Net Income	$	157		$	185		(15)	%	$	281		$	315		(11)	%
Actual GWH Delivered
Residential	11,237			11,224			—		25,028			24,392			3	%
Total	28,031			28,379			(1)	%	71,293			71,417			—
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Cooling degree days	106		%	110		%	(4)	%	109		%	106		%	3	%
Heating degree days	—		%	—		%	—	%	68		%	93		%	(25)	%
Number of metered customers - end of period:
Residential	2,291,038			2,232,740			3	%	2,291,038			2,232,740			3	%
Total	2,586,093			2,523,450			2	%	2,586,093			2,523,450			2	%

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Results of Operations by Segment

(Millions of Dollars, Except Throughput and Customer Data)

(Unaudited)

	Indiana Electric Integrated
	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Diff		Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Diff
	2020			2019			Fav / Unfav		2020			2019 (1)			Fav / Unfav
Revenues	$	157		$	165		(5)	%	$	414		$	388		7	%
Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	41			46			11	%	108			112			4	%
Revenues less Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power	116			119			(3)	%	306			276			11	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	46			42			(10)	%	128			136			6	%
Depreciation and amortization	26			25			(4)	%	77			66			(17)	%
Taxes other than income taxes	4			4			—		12			10			(20)	%
Goodwill impairment	—			—			—		185			—			—
Total expenses	76			71			(7)	%	402			212			(90)	%
Operating Income (Loss)	40			48			(17)	%	(96)			64			(250)	%
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(5)			(6)			17	%	(16)			(16)			—
Other income, net	3			1			200	%	6			3			100	%
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	38			43			(12)	%	(106)			51			(308)	%
Income tax expense	7			9			22	%	15			10			(50)	%
Net Income (Loss)	$	31		$	34		(9)	%	$	(121)		$	41		(395)	%
Actual GWH Delivered
Residential	438			457			(4)	%	1,085			978			11	%
Total	1,421			1,555			(9)	%	3,630			3,568			2	%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Cooling degree days	104		%	113		%	(9)	%	104		%	114		%	(10)	%
Heating degree days	99		%	99		%	—	%	93		%	95		%	(2)	%
Number of metered customers - end of period:
Residential	129,817			128,381			1	%	129,817			128,381			1	%
Total	148,925			147,337			1	%	148,925			147,337			1	%
(1) Represents February 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Results of Operations by Segment

(Millions of Dollars, Except Throughput and Customer Data)

(Unaudited)

	Natural Gas Distribution
	Three Months Ended September 30,						% Diff		Nine Months Ended September 30,						% Diff
	2020			2019			Fav/Unfav		2020			2019 (1)			Fav/Unfav
Revenues	$	560		$	541		4	%	$	2,519		$	2,629		(4)	%
Cost of revenues (2)	131			136			4	%	888			1,145			22	%
Revenues less Cost of revenues	429			405			6	%	1,631			1,484			10	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance	239			226			(6)	%	738			780			5	%
Depreciation and amortization	115			108			(6)	%	339			310			(9)	%
Taxes other than income taxes	52			43			(21)	%	175			149			(17)	%
Total expenses	406			377			(8)	%	1,252			1,239			(1)	%
Operating Income	23			28			(18)	%	379			245			55	%
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(29)			(24)			(21)	%	(90)			(71)			(27)	%
Interest income	2			5			(60)	%	5			6			(17)	%
Other expense, net	—			(5)			—		(2)			(6)			67	%
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(4)			4			(200)	%	292			174			68	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	(9)			(2)			350	%	50			25			(100)	%
Net Income	$	5		$	6		(17)	%	$	242		$	149		62	%
Throughput data in BCF
Residential	18			16			13	%	157			160			(2)	%
Commercial and industrial	84			88			(5)	%	317			326			(3)	%
Total Throughput	102			104			(2)	%	474			486			(2)	%
Weather (percentage of 10-year average for service area):
Heating degree days	100		%	18		%	82	%	90		%	100		%	(10)	%
Number of customers - end of period:
Residential	4,295,169			4,194,232			2	%	4,295,169			4,194,232			2	%
Commercial and industrial	346,641			344,858			1	%	346,641			344,858			1	%
Total	4,641,810			4,539,090			2	%	4,641,810			4,539,090			2	%
(1) Includes acquired natural gas operations February 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 results only due to the Merger.
(2) Includes Utility natural gas, fuel and purchased power and Non-utility cost of revenues, including natural gas.

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Results of Operations by Segment

(Millions of Dollars, Except Throughput and Customer Data)

(Unaudited)

	Midstream Investments
	Three Months Ended September 30,				% Diff		Nine Months Ended September 30,				% Diff
	2020		2019		Fav/Unfav		2020		2019		Fav/Unfav
Non-utility revenues	$	—	$	—	—		$	—	$	—	—
Taxes other than income taxes	—		—		—		(1)		—		—
Total expenses	—		—		—		(1)		—		—
Operating Income	—		—		—		1		—		—
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense and other finance charges	(14)		(13)		(8)	%	(41)		(39)		(5)	%
Equity in earnings (loss) from Enable, net	(67)		77		(187)	%	(1,499)		213		(804)	%
Interest income	—		2		—		1		7		(86)	%
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	(81)		66		(223)	%	(1,538)		181		(950)	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	(19)		16		219	%	(373)		57		754	%
Net Income (Loss)	$	(62)	$	50	(224)	%	$	(1,165)	$	124	(1,040)	%

	Capital Expenditures by Segment
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019 (1)
Houston Electric T&D	$	215	$	239	$	729	$	722
Indiana Electric Integrated	77		46		191		135
Natural Gas Distribution	314		324		864		773
Corporate and Other	36		43		84		137
Continuing Operations	$	642	$	652	1,868		1,767
Discontinued Operations	—		14		21		61
Total Capital Expenditures	$	642	$	666	$	1,889	$	1,828
(1) Includes capital expenditures of acquired businesses from February 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 only due to the Merger.
	Interest Expense Detail
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Amortization of Deferred Financing Cost	$	7	$	8	$	22	$	22
Capitalization of Interest Cost	(7)		(10)		(20)		(29)
Securitization Bonds Interest Expense	7		9		22		31
Other Interest Expense	121		136		386		396
Total Interest Expense	$	128	$	143	$	410	$	420

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	185	$	241
Current assets held for sale	—		1,002
Other current assets	2,600		2,694
Total current assets	2,785		3,937
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	21,735		20,624
Other Assets:
Goodwill	4,697		4,882
Regulatory assets	2,150		2,117
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	749		2,408
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate	363		363
Non-current assets held for sale	—		962
Other non-current assets	226		236
Total other assets	8,185		10,968
Total Assets	$	32,705	$	35,529
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of securitization bonds long-term debt	$	208	$	231
Indexed debt	16		19
Current portion of other long-term debt	1,114		618
Current liabilities held for sale	—		455
Other current liabilities	2,492		2,655
Total current liabilities	3,830		3,978
Other Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes, net	3,575		3,928
Regulatory liabilities	3,480		3,474
Non-current liabilities held for sale	—		43
Other non-current liabilities	1,486		1,503
Total other liabilities	8,541		8,948
Long-term Debt:
Securitization bonds	610		746
Other	11,336		13,498
Total long-term debt	11,946		14,244
Shareholders' Equity	8,388		8,359
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	32,705	$	35,529

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019
Net income (loss)	$	(973)	$	634
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	909		1,028
Deferred income taxes	(429)		8
Goodwill impairment and loss from classification to held for sale	175		—
Goodwill impairment	185		—
Write-down of natural gas inventory	3		5
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates	1,499		(213)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	109		226
Changes in net regulatory assets and liabilities	(76)		(101)
Changes in other assets and liabilities	36		(511)
Other, net	1		10
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,439		1,086
Net cash used in investing activities	(683)		(7,775)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(819)		2,708
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(63)		(3,981)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	271		4,278
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	208	$	297

Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2 THIRD QUARTER 2020 INVESTOR UPDATE NOVEMBER 5, 2020

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT This presentation and the oral statements made in connection herewith contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this presentation and the oral statements made in connection herewith are forward-looking statements made in good faith by CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (“CenterPoint Energy” or the “Company”) and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements concerning CenterPoint Energy’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future operations, events, financial position, earnings and guidance, growth, impact of COVID- 19, costs, prospects, capital investments or performance or underlying assumptions (including future regulatory filings and recovery, liquidity, capital resources, balance sheet, cash flow, capital investments and management, financing costs and rate base or customer growth) and other statements that are not historical facts. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. You can generally identify our forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or other similar words. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this presentation include statements about our growth and guidance (including earnings and customer growth, capital investment opportunities, utility and rate base growth expectations, taking into account assumptions and scenarios related to COVID-19), the impacts of COVID-19 on our business, O&M expense management initiatives and projected savings therefrom, commitment to investment-grade credit, balance sheet strengthening and target FFO/Debt ratio, the performance of Enable Midstream Partners, LP (“Enable”), including anticipated distributions received on its common units, our regulatory filings and projections (including the recovery and/or deferral of COVID-19 expenses and the Integrated Resources Plan as proposed in Indiana, including the anticipated timeline and benefits under its preferred portfolio), our credit quality and balance sheet expectations, the activities of the Business Review and Evaluation Committee of the Board of Directors (including the recommendations or other outcomes or actions from its review process), environmental, social and governance related matters, including our carbon emissions reduction targets, among other statements. We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information currently available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions, and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to (1) the performance of Enable, the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, and the value of CenterPoint Energy’s interest in Enable; (2) CenterPoint Energy's expected benefits of the merger with Vectren Corporation (Vectren) and integration, including the ability to successfully integrate the Vectren businesses and to realize anticipated benefits and commercial opportunities; (3) financial market and general economic conditions, including access to debt and equity capital and the effect on sales, prices and costs; (4) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy’s service territories and changes in market demand; (5) actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings; (6) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legal proceedings; (7) legislative decisions, including tax and developments relating to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling of coal combustion residuals, among others, and CenterPoint Energy’s carbon reduction targets; (8) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; (9) the recording of impairment charges, including any impairments related to CenterPoint Energy’s investment in Enable; (10) weather variations and CenterPoint Energy’s ability to mitigate weather impacts; (11) changes in business plans; (12) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, including timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (13) CenterPoint Energy’s or Enable’s potential business strategies and strategic initiatives, including the recommendations and outcomes of the Business Review and Evaluation Committee, restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which may not be completed or result in the benefits anticipated to CenterPoint Energy or Enable; (14) CenterPoint Energy’s ability to execute operations and maintenance management initiatives; and (15) other factors described in CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10- Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 and in CenterPoint Energy’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” in such reports and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) by the Company, which can be found at www.centerpointenergy.com on the Investor Relations page or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. A portion of slide 21 is derived from Enable’s investor presentation as presented during its Q3 2020 earnings presentation dated November 4, 2020. The information in this slide is included for informational purposes only. The content has not been verified by us, and we assume no liability for the same. You should consider Enable’s investor materials in the context of its SEC filings and its entire investor presentation, which is available at http://investors.enablemidstream.com. This presentation contains time sensitive information that is accurate as of the date hereof (unless otherwise specified as accurate as of another date). Some of the information in this presentation is unaudited and may be subject to change. We undertake no obligation to update the information presented herein except as required by law. Investors and others should note that we may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Investor Relations page of our website. In the future, we will continue to use these channels to distribute material information about the Company and to communicate important information about the Company, key personnel, corporate initiatives, regulatory updates and other matters. Information that we post on our website could be deemed material; therefore, we encourage investors, the media, our customers, business partners and others interested in our Company to review the information we post on our website. 2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including presentation of income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share, CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on guidance basis income, guidance basis diluted earnings per share and adjusted funds from operations (“FFO”), which are non-GAAP financial measures. CenterPoint Energy also uses the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted parent-level debt in addition to the presentation of total parent debt. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future financial performance that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. To provide greater transparency on utility earnings, CenterPoint Energy’s 2020 guidance will be presented in two components, a guidance basis Utility EPS range and a Midstream Investments EPS expected range. Refer to slide 21 for further detail. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range includes net income from Houston Electric, Indiana Electric and Natural Gas Distribution business segments, as well as after tax Corporate and Other operating income. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range reflects dilution and earnings as if the Series C preferred stock were issued as common stock. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range considers operations performance to date and assumptions for certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as customer growth (above 2% for electric operations and 1% for natural gas distribution) and usage including normal weather, throughput, recovery of capital invested, effective tax rates, financing activities and related interest rates, regulatory and judicial proceedings and anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger. In addition, the Utility EPS guidance range incorporates a COVID-19 scenario range of $0.10 - $0.15 which assumes reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues with the second quarter as the peak and reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses, including bad debt. The COVID-19 scenario range also assumes a gradual re-opening of the economy in CenterPoint Energy's service territories, with anticipated reduced demand and lower miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020. To the extent actual recovery deviates from these COVID-19 scenario range assumptions, the 2020 Utility EPS guidance range may not be met and our projected full-year guidance range may change. The 2020 Utility EPS guidance range also assumes an allocation of corporate overhead based upon its relative earnings contribution. Corporate overhead consists of interest expense, preferred stock dividend requirements, income on Enable preferred units and other items directly attributable to the parent along with the associated income taxes. Utility EPS guidance excludes (a) earnings or losses from the change in value of ZENS and related securities, (b) certain expenses associated with merger integration and Business Review and Evaluation Committee activities, (c) severance costs, (d) results related to Infrastructure Services and Energy Services, including costs and impairment resulting from the sale of those businesses and (e) Midstream Investments and associated allocation of corporate overhead. In providing this guidance, with respect to Utility EPS, CenterPoint Energy uses a non-GAAP measure of guidance basis diluted earnings per share that does not include other potential impacts, such as changes in accounting standards, impairments or unusual items, which could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking guidance basis diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities, future impairments, and other unusual items are not estimable as they are highly variable and difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management’s control. The 2020 Midstream Investments EPS expected range assumes a 53.7% ownership of Enable’s common units and includes the amortization of the CenterPoint Energy’s basis differential in Enable and assumes an allocation of CenterPoint Energy corporate overhead based upon Midstream Investments relative earnings contribution. The Midstream Investments EPS expected range reflects dilution and earnings as if the CenterPoint Energy Series C preferred stock were issued as common stock. The Midstream Investments EPS expected range takes into account such factors as Enable’s most recent public outlook for 2020 dated November 4, 2020, and effective tax rates. CenterPoint Energy does not include other potential impacts such as any changes in accounting standards, impairments or Enable’s unusual items. With respect to Midstream Investments EPS, CenterPoint Energy uses a non-GAAP measure of guidance basis diluted earnings per share that does not consider other potential impacts such as changes in accounting standards, impairments or Enable’s unusual items, which could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking guidance basis diluted earnings per share because changes in Enable’s outlook, future impairments related to Midstream Investments or Enable’s unusual items are not estimable and are difficult to predict due to various factors outside of CenterPoint Energy management’s control. A reconciliation of income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share to the basis used in providing guidance is provided in this presentation on slides 22 to 25. A reconciliation of total parent debt to adjusted total parent-level debt is provided in this presentation on slide 26. A reconciliation of net cash from operating activities to adjusted FFO is provided in this presentation on slides 27 and 28. Management evaluates the company’s financial performance in part based on guidance basis income, guidance basis diluted earnings per share, adjusted FFO and adjusted parent level debt. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor’s understanding of CenterPoint Energy’s overall financial performance by providing them with an additional meaningful and relevant comparison of current and anticipated future results across periods. Management believes that adjusted parent-level debt is an important measure to monitor leverage and credit ratings and evaluate the balance sheet. The adjustments made in these non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that Management believes does not most accurately reflect the Company’s fundamental business performance. These excluded items are reflected in the reconciliation tables, where applicable. CenterPoint Energy’s guidance basis income, guidance basis diluted earnings (loss) per share, adjusted FFO and adjusted parent-level debt non- GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, income (loss) available to common shareholders, diluted earnings per share, net cash from operating activities and total parent debt, which respectively are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures also may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. 3

TAKEAWAYS…. Solid Third Quarter Utility Performance Organic customer growth, disciplined O&M management, and rate relief Exceptional Customer Growth from Premium Jurisdictions Customer growth higher than historical national average in both natural gas and electric utilities Increased Level of Capital Investment Additional $3B capex investment opportunities exist for Electric T&D, Renewable Generation, and Gas Distribution, driving rate base CAGR target of 10% (1) Raising 2020 Utility Guidance Basis EPS Range (2) 2020 Utility guidance basis EPS range raised to $1.12 - $1.20 from previous $1.10 - $1.20 Targeting high-end of LT Utility guidance basis EPS growth rate of 5%-7% (2) Utility guidance basis EPS long-term annual growth rate raised to the top end of 5%-7% range …. ROBUST OPPORTUNITY Notes: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company's service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. 4 (1) Refers to CNP Rate Base CAGR target from 2020E to 2025E (2) Refers to guidance basis Utility EPS and guidance basis Utility EPS annual growth rate over 2021 – 2025

THIRD QUARTER ABOVE EXPECTATIONS…. GAAP Diluted EPS was 13¢ for Third Quarter 2020 and ($2.10) Year-to-Date 2020. Please see slide 22 and 23 for a reconciliation from GAAP Diluted EPS to Guidance Basis EPS. 2020 GUIDANCE BASIS EPS Third YTD Full Year Quarter Electric (1) 32¢ 64¢ 72¢ – 75¢ Gas 1 45 62 – 64 Corporate & Other (2) (4) (14) (22) – (19) Guidance Basis Utility EPS 29¢ 95¢ $1.12 – $1.20 Note: Incl. Midstream (3) 34¢ $1.11 $1.27 – $1.38 Analyst Consensus (4) 30¢ $1.30 …. 2020 GUIDANCE BASIS UTILITY EPS RANGE RAISED. Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions, 2020 Midstream Investments EPS expected range assumptions, and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company’s service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. (1) Combined Houston Electric and Indiana Electric Integrated (2) Represents Corporate & Other results allocated to utility business 5 (3) Excludes results from Discontinued Operations (Energy Services and Infrastructure Services) prior to closing of the divestitures. Reference Enable’s Q3 2020 Form 10-Q and third quarter 2020 earnings materials dated November 4, 2020. Includes the associated allocation of Corporate & Other based upon relative earnings contribution. See slide 21 for details (4) Average Analyst’s EPS estimate per FactSet as of 11/3/2020

NEW MODEL, NEW PLAN…. Utility Investment – Grow Operational Excellence – Accelerate ✓ $16B five-year capital investment plan ✓ 1%-2% annual O&M reductions (3) (+$3B vs. prior) ✓ Productivity and continuous ✓ Top tier long-term rate base CAGR improvement mindset target of 10% (1) 1 2 ✓ Technology improvements ✓ Grow at high-end of 5%-7% long-term guidance basis Utility EPS range (2) Constructive regulation Customer Growth – Organic ✓ Beneficial recovery mechanisms ✓ High growth service territories reduce regulatory lag 4 3 (e.g. Houston) ✓ Supportive regulatory jurisdictions ✓ Strong economic activity ✓ Earning at-or-near allowed ROEs ✓ Provides “headroom” …. MORE DETAIL AT INVESTOR DAY ON DECEMBER 7 Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company’s service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. 6 (1) Refers to CNP Rate Base CAGR target from 2020E to 2025E (2) Refers to guidance basis Utility EPS and guidance basis utility EPS annual growth rate over 2021 – 2025 (3) Inclusive of Houston Electric, Indiana Electric Integrated and Natural Gas Distribution business segments. Excluding utility costs to achieve, severance costs and amounts with revenue offsets

1 UTILITY INVESTMENT – GROWS…. Industry Leading Long-Term Capital Investment Plan Rate Base Growth (1) 2020 – 2024 (old) 2021 – 2025 (new) 10% $16B +$3B / +23% $13B Capex 9% 9% 8%8% Median: 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 5% Electric T&D Generation Technology Gas LDC 4% Gas LDC Electric T&D Generation Technology • Hardening Electric System • Organic Growth • Converting Old Generation To Renewables And Gas 2019 to 2020E to D Other Utilities FE ES ED SO 2024E 2025E XEL AEP AEE Connecting New Solar Farms NEE PEG CNP CNP • DUK WEC PNW EVGR • Accelerating Vintage Gas Pipe Replacements ….5%-7% GUIDANCE BASIS UTILITY EPS GROWTH EVERY YEAR (2) Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company’s service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. 7 (1) CNP Rate Base CAGR from 2020E to 2025E per the updated capital plan and CAGR from 2019 to 2024E per the previous capital plan. Peers’ Rate Base CAGR from 2019 to 2024E. (2) Refers to guidance basis Utility EPS and guidance basis Utility EPS annual growth rate over 2021 – 2025

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE – 2 ACCELERATES…. Utility O&M Reduction Target (1) O&M Management Initiatives 1.6 ✓ Continuous improvement – Lean 1.5 1.4 ✓ Investment in productivity $ Billions$ ✓ Work management ✓ Technology 2018 2020E 2025E ….QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND COST REDUCTION Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements. (1) Inclusive of Houston Electric, Indiana Electric Integrated and Natural Gas Distribution business segments. Excluding utility costs to achieve, severance costs and amounts with revenue offsets 8

3 CUSTOMER GROWTH – ORGANIC…. Customer Growth (1) Customer Rates $0.050 $0.045 $0.040 $/kWh $0.035 $0.030 $0.025 $0.020 2018 2019 2020 Houston Electric Other Texas utilities Average Houston Electric’s customer growth In line with average T&D rate (2) has been exceptional across utility peers in Texas ….CUSTOMER GROWTH CREATES RATE HEADROOM FOR CAPEX Note: (1) Houston Electric’s total metered customer counts as of September 30 in 2018, 2019, and 2020, per CNP’s 10Q. Growth rates were calculated based on total metered customer counts over 12-mo period from September 30, 2018 to September 30, 2019, and from September 30, 2019 to September 30, 2020. 9 (2) Based upon tariffs published by each utility as of October 29, 2020

4 CONSTRUCTIVE REGULATION…. Regulation Features • Accelerated CapEx Recovery ✓ Transmission (TCOS) ✓ Distribution (DCRF) ✓ Gas Infrastructure (GRIP) ✓ Gas and Electric Transmission & Distribution (TDSIC) • Gas-Supportive Jurisdictions ✓ No operations in states with local building gas bans • Revenue Protection Features ✓ Revenue decoupling in Minnesota ✓ ~80% of Natural Gas Distribution margin is based upon a fixed and trued up rate (1) ….IN SUPPORTIVE REGULATORY JURISDICTIONS Note: TCOS = Interim Transmission Cost of Service adjustment, DCRF = Distribution Cost Recovery Factor, GRIP = Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, TDSIC = Transmission, Distribution, and Storage System Improvement Charge 10 (1) Representative of blended percentage of all customer classes and all CNP’s Natural Gas Distribution jurisdictions.

OUR MODEL IS SIMPLE…. Capital spending driving growth... ...while keeping customer rates down ↓ Consistent strong customer growth ↓ Focus on O&M and High cost management end of $3B guidance ↓ Efficient financing and 5%-7% (1) capex basis Utility balance sheet management EPS – no block equity range Creates headroom and keeps rates reasonable ....GOOD FOR CUSTOMERS AND INVESTORS Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company’s service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. 11 (1) Refers to guidance basis Utility EPS and guidance basis Utility EPS annual growth rate over 2021 – 2025

THE NEW CENTERPOINT ENERGY Increased Utility Accelerated Operational Investment Excellence 1 2 4 3 Constructive regulation Organic Customer Growth ....5% - 7% GUIDANCE BASIS UTILITY EPS GROWTH EVERY YEAR. (1) WE MANAGE THE BUSINESS, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY! Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS assumptions and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company’s service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous 12 revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. (1) Refers to guidance basis Utility EPS and guidance basis Utility EPS annual growth rate over 2021 – 2025

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Look forward to seeing you at our Investor Day – December 7 13

APPENDIX 14

Q3 2020 V Q3 2019 GUIDANCE BASIS (NON-GAAP) EPS(1) DRIVERS FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS $0.08 Midstream Investments $0.10 $0.03 $0.05 Midstream Investments Primary Drivers  $0.03 Rate increases, primarily capital recovery  $0.03 Income Taxes  $0.02 Customer Growth  $0.05 Share count  $0.04 COVID-19 $0.39  $0.03 O&M Management Utility  $0.03 Depreciation and Amortization and Other Taxes  $0.03 Other Operations $0.29 Utility Operations Q3 2019 Consolidated Utility Midstream Q3 2020 Consolidated Guidance Basis EPS (1) Operations(2) Investments (3) Guidance Basis EPS (1) Note: All bars exclude certain expenses associated with merger integration and severance costs. Quarterly 2019 Utility EPS on a guidance basis is as follows: Q1 2019 - $0.41; Q2 - $0.23; Q3 - $0.39; Q4 - $0.28 (1) Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures and slides 22 and 24 for reconciliation to GAAP measures (2) Includes Houston Electric, Indiana Electric Integrated and Natural Gas Distribution and the associated allocation of Corporate & Other based upon relative earnings contribution. See slide 21 for details (3) Reference Enable’s Q3 2020 Form 10-Q and third quarter 2020 earnings materials dated November 4, 2020. Includes the associated allocation of Corporate & Other based upon relative earnings contribution. See slide 21 for details 15

YTD SEPT 2020 V 2019 GUIDANCE BASIS (NON-GAAP) EPS(1) DRIVERS FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS $0.22 Midstream $0.08 Investments $0.06 $0.16 Midstream Investments Primary Drivers  $0.13 Rate increases, primarily capital recovery  $0.06 Customer Growth  $0.04 O&M Management  $0.03 Additional month of earnings from merger  $0.03 Income Taxes  $0.12 Depreciation and Amortization and Other Taxes  $0.11 Share count  $0.10 COVID-19 $1.03  $0.04 Other Utility $0.95 Operations Utility Operations YTD Sept 2019 Consolidated Utility Midstream YTD Sept 2020 Consolidated Guidance Basis EPS (1) Operations (2) Investments(3) Guidance Basis EPS (1) Note: All bars exclude certain expenses associated with merger integration and severance costs. Quarterly 2019 Utility EPS on a guidance basis is as follows: Q1 2019 - $0.41; Q2 - $0.23; Q3 - $0.39; Q4 - $0.28 (1) Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures and slides 23 and 25 for reconciliation to GAAP measures (2) Includes Houston Electric, Indiana Electric Integrated and Natural Gas Distribution and the associated allocation of Corporate & Other based upon relative earnings contribution. See slide 21 for details (3) Reference Enable’s Q3 2020 Form 10-Q and third quarter 2020 earnings materials dated November 4, 2020. Includes the associated allocation of Corporate & Other based upon relative earnings contribution. See slide 21 for details 16

INDIANA IRP UPDATE PREFERRED PORTFOLIO TIMELINE (1) Proposed replacement of 730 MWs of Coal with approximately 700 – 1,000 MWs of Solar & Solar + Storage, 300 MWs of Wind, 460 MWs of natural gas CTs and 30 MWs of demand response Coal 12% Natural Gas Renewables 24% 64% 2025E ResourceMix 2025E Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements. IRP – Integrated Resource Plan; CT – Combustion Turbine. (1) Subject to change based on availability and approval 17

ESG ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP LEADER (1) REDUCING GAS DISTRIBUTION ~96% REGULATED GAS LDC / T&D GHG EMISSIONS Generation 4% ~30% reduction Gas LDC 45% T&D 51% 2012 2019 ✓ Generation represents ~4% of rate base (1) ✓ Elimination of cast iron pipelines across all legacy CNP gas jurisdictions by YE 2018; ✓ Reduced CO2 emissions from generation assets by 20% from 2005 to 2019 legacy Vectren jurisdictions targeted by 2023/2024 ✓ Executing Indiana IRP will reduce emissions ✓ ~$5.5B anticipated capital investment 2021 by 67% by 2025 and 75% by 2035 (2) through 2025 focused on gas distribution ✓ Minimal carbon footprint within T&D system improvements ✓ Committed to reducing methane emissions Notes: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements. CenterPoint Energy’s 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report is available at https://investors.centerpointenergy.com. GHG – Greenhouse gases; IRP – Integrated Resource Plan 18 (1) Based on 2019E Electric T&D, Electric Generation and Natural Gas Distribution rate base as calculated by the individual jurisdictions (2) Compared to 2005 levels. Per Vectren 2019 / 2020 Integrated Resource Plan – Non-Technical Summary.

ESG CARBON REDUCTION GOAL CENTERPOINT IS COMMITTED TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE NEW GOALS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS from 2005 levels 70% 20–30% reduction from our operations reduction from gas customer usage by 2035 by 2040 ➢ Offering customers affordable conservation and energy-efficiency programs ➢ Continuing to develop alternative fuels programs ➢ Working with suppliers to lower their methane emissions ➢ Piloting and supporting research and development Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements. 19

STRENGTHENING CREDIT QUALITY COMMITTED TO INVESTMENT-GRADE CREDIT CenterPoint has successfully executed a utility-focused strategy designed to improve its business risk profile and strengthen the balance sheet ✓ Diversified regulated utility asset base across the mid-continent region Target a strong balance sheet to capture the ✓ Divestiture of non-utility assets Energy Services robust utility capital investment opportunity and Infrastructure Services to pay down debt across diversified jurisdictions ✓ Issued $1.4 billion of mandatory convertible with favorable regulatory constructs preferred stock and common stock in May 2020 Adjusted Parent-level Debt/Total Debt (1) Adjusted FFO/Debt (2) 25.4% 15.0% 15.6% Target ~ 14 - 15% 13.6% 12/31/19 6/30/2020 9/30/2020 FY 2019 2021E - 2025E Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures (1) Reference slide 26 for reconciliation to GAAP measures (2) Reference slides 27 and 28 for reconciliation to GAAP measures 20

2020 GUIDANCE BASIS EPS CONSIDERATIONS Translating Enable Guidance to CenterPoint’s Portion (in millions, except percentages and per share items) Guidance basis EPS before allocation of Corporate & Other Enable Net Income Attributable $195 - $235(2) to Common Units Midstream Utility Operations Corporate & Other Investments CNP Common Unit ownership percentage 53.7%(3) $1.34 - $1.39 $0.18 - $0.21 ($0.25) (4) (1) (1) Basis difference amortization $85 ~88% ~12% Interest 4.5% on $1,200 (CNP Midstream internal note) Marginal effective tax rate 24% Guidance basis EPS Estimated 2020 CNP Share Count 560 after allocation of Corporate & Other Midstream Investments EPS Utility Operations Midstream Investments $0.18 - $0.21 before allocation of Corporate & Other(5) Proportion share of $1.12 - $1.20 $0.15 - $0.18 ($0.03) Corporate & Other allocation (12%) ~88% ~12% Midstream Investments EPS $0.15 – $0.18 after allocation of Corporate & Other(5) Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on forward-looking statements and slide 3 for information on 2020 guidance basis Utility EPS range assumptions, 2020 Midstream Investments EPS expected range assumptions, and non-GAAP measures. Full-year 2020 COVID-19 guidance basis scenario range assumptions consider the following: a gradual re-opening of economy in Company's service territories; anticipate second quarter of 2020 to be peak of reduced demand levels and miscellaneous revenues; anticipate reduced demand and miscellaneous revenues over the remainder of 2020; reflects anticipated deferral and recovery of certain incremental expenses including bad debt; assumes normal weather conditions; and other assumptions as described on slide 3. (1) Calculated as the relative contribution of each reporting area based off the guidance basis EPS for Utility Operations and Midstream Investments EPS expected range attributable to CenterPoint’s share of Enable’s Net Income Attributable to Common Units guidance range. The guidance basis earnings (loss) per share related to Corporate & Other is then proportionally allocated based on each reporting range’s relative contribution. Corporate & Other consists of interest expense, preferred stock dividend requirements, income on Enable preferred units and other items directly attributable to the parent along with the associated income taxes. (2) Source: Enable’s third quarter 2020 earnings presentation dated November 4, 2020 21 (3) Enable ownership position as of September 30, 2020 (4) Estimated full year 2020 basis difference accretion following company’s impairment of its investment in Enable in the first quarter of 2020. Does not consider any potential loss on dilution, net of proportional basis difference recognition (5) Earnings on a guidance basis would exclude potential impacts such as any changes in accounting standards, impairments or Enable’s unusual items

RECONCILIATION: INCOME (LOSS) AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE TO GUIDANCE BASIS INCOME AND GUIDANCE BASIS DILUTED EPS USED IN PROVIDING ANNUAL EARNINGS GUIDANCE Quarter Ended September 30, 2020 Midstream Corporate and CES (1) & CIS (2) Utility Operations Investments Other (6) (Disc. Operations) Consolidated Dollars in Diluted EPS Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted millions (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS $ 193 $ 0.35 $ (62) $ (0.11) $ (56) $ (0.10) $ (6) $ (0.01) $ 69 $ 0.13 ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses: Marketable securities (net of taxes of $18) (4)(5) - - - - (65) (0.12) - - (65) (0.12) Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $18) (4) - - - - 66 0.12 - - 66 0.12 Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $0, $1) (4) 2 - - - 2 0.01 - - 4 0.01 Severance costs (net of taxes of $1) (4) 4 0.01 - - - - - - 4 0.01 Impacts associated with the sales of CES (1) and CIS (2) (net of taxes of $0) (4) - - - - - - 7 0.01 7 0.01 Impacts associated with Series C preferred stock Preferred stock dividend requirement and amortization of beneficial conversion feature - - - - 23 0.04 - - 23 0.04 Impact of increased share count on EPS if issued as common stock - (0.03) - 0.01 - 0.01 - - - (0.01) Total Series C impacts - (0.03) - 0.01 23 0.05 - - 23 0.03 Loss on impairment (net of taxes of $29) (4) - - 92 0.15 - - - - 92 0.15 Corporate and Other Allocation (26) (0.04) (3) - 30 0.04 (1) - - - Consolidated on a guidance basis $ 173 $ 0.29 $ 27 $ 0.05 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 200 $ 0.34 (1) Energy Services segment (2) Infrastructure Services segment (3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS (4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense (5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (6) Corporate and Other segment plus income allocated to preferred shareholders Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures (1) Energy Services segment (2) Infrastructure Services segment (3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS 22 (4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense (5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders

RECONCILIATION: INCOME (LOSS) AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE TO GUIDANCE BASIS INCOME AND GUIDANCE BASIS DILUTED EPS USED IN PROVIDING ANNUAL EARNINGS GUIDANCE Year-to-Date September 30, 2020 Midstream Corporate and CES (1) & CIS (2) Utility Operations Investments Other (6) (Disc. Operations) Consolidated Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS $ 402 $ 0.77 $ (1,165) $ (2.22) $ (155) $ (0.30) $ (182) $ (0.35) $ (1,100) $ (2.10) Timing effects impacting CES (1): Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $3) (4) - - - - - - (10) (0.02) (10) (0.02) ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses: Marketable securities (net of taxes of $3) (4)(5) - - - - (11) (0.02) - - (11) (0.02) Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $5) (4) - - - - 20 0.04 - - 20 0.04 Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $1, $3) (4) 5 0.01 - - 12 0.02 - - 17 0.03 Severance costs (net of taxes of $3, $0) (4) 11 0.02 - - 2 - - - 13 0.02 Impacts associated with the sales of CES (1) and CIS (2) (net of taxes of $10) (4) - - - - - - 217 0.41 217 0.41 Impacts associated with Series C preferred stock Preferred stock dividend requirement and amortization of beneficial conversion feature - - - - 39 0.08 - - 39 0.08 Impact of increased share count on EPS if issued as common stock - (0.04) - 0.12 - 0.01 - - - 0.09 Total Series C impacts - (0.04) - 0.12 39 0.09 - - 39 0.17 Losses on impairment (net of taxes of $0, $408) (4) 185 0.33 1,269 2.29 - - - - 1,454 2.62 Corporate and Other Allocation (74) (0.14) (13) (0.03) 93 0.17 (6) - - - Exclusion of Discontinued Operations (7) - - - - - - (19) (0.04) (19) (0.04) Consolidated on a guidance basis $ 529 $ 0.95 $ 91 $ 0.16 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 620 $ 1.11 Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures (1) Energy Services segment (2) Infrastructure Services segment (3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS (4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense 23 (5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders (7) Results related to discontinued operations are excluded from the company’s guidance basis results

RECONCILIATION: INCOME (LOSS) AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE TO GUIDANCE BASIS INCOME AND GUIDANCE BASIS DILUTED EPS USED IN PROVIDING ANNUAL EARNINGS GUIDANCE Quarter Ended September 30, 2019 Midstream Corporate and CES (1) & CIS (2) Utility Operations Investments Other (6) (Disc. Operations) Consolidated Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS $ 225 $ 0.44 $ 50 $ 0.10 $ (53) $ (0.10) $ 19 $ 0.03 $ 241 $ 0.47 Timing effects impacting CES (1): Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $1) (4) - - - - - - 1 - 1 - ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses: Marketable securities (net of taxes of $12) (4)(5) - - - - (47) (0.09) - - (47) (0.09) Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $12) (4) - - - - 50 0.10 - - 50 0.10 Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $2, $7, $1) (4) 3 0.01 - - 13 0.03 4 0.01 20 0.05 Corporate and Other Allocation (34) (0.06) (8) (0.02) 37 0.06 5 0.02 - - Exclusion of Discontinued Operations (7) - - - - - - (29) (0.06) (29) (0.06) Consolidated on a guidance basis $ 194 $ 0.39 $ 42 $ 0.08 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 236 $ 0.47 Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures (1) Energy Services segment (2) Infrastructure Services segment (3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS (4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense 24 (5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders (7) Results related to discontinued operations are excluded from the company’s guidance basis results

RECONCILIATION: INCOME (LOSS) AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE TO GUIDANCE BASIS INCOME AND GUIDANCE BASIS DILUTED EPS USED IN PROVIDING ANNUAL EARNINGS GUIDANCE Year-to-Date September 30, 2019 Midstream Corporate and CES (1) & CIS (2) Utility Operations Investments Other (6) (Disc. Operations) Consolidated Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted Dollars in Diluted millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) millions EPS (3) Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS $ 505 $ 1.00 $ 124 $ 0.25 $ (172) $ (0.34) $ 89 $ 0.17 $ 546 $ 1.08 Timing effects impacting CES (1): Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $11) (4) - - - - - - (36) (0.08) (36) (0.08) ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses: Marketable securities (net of taxes of $43) (4)(5) - - - - (163) (0.32) - - (163) (0.32) Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $45) (4) - - - - 171 0.34 - - 171 0.34 Impacts associated with the Vectren merger Merger impacts other than the increase in share count (net of taxes of $12, $23, $3) (4) 73 0.15 - - 62 0.13 11 0.02 146 0.30 Impact of increased share count on EPS - 0.02 - - - - - - - 0.02 Total merger impacts 73 0.17 - - 62 0.13 11 0.02 146 0.32 Corporate and Other Allocation (69) (0.14) (15) (0.03) 102 0.19 (18) (0.02) - - Exclusion of Discontinued Operations (7) - - - - - - (46) (0.09) (46) (0.09) Consolidated on a guidance basis $ 509 $ 1.03 $ 109 $ 0.22 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 618 $ 1.25 Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures (1) Energy Services segment (2) Infrastructure Services segment (3) Quarterly diluted EPS on both a GAAP and guidance basis are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the quarter, and the sum of the quarters may not equal year-to-date diluted EPS (4) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense 25 (5) Comprised of common stock of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (6) Corporate and Other, plus income allocated to preferred shareholders (7) Results related to discontinued operations are excluded from the company’s guidance basis results

CENTERPOINT ENERGY ADJUSTED PARENT DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL DEBT 12/31/2019 6/30/2020 9/30/2020 ($ in millions) Short-term Debt: Short-term borrowings - 19 37 Current portion of transition and system restoration bonds 231 206 208 Indexed debt (ZENS)** 19 17 16 Current portion of other long-term debt 618 1,707 1,114 Long-term Debt: Transition and system restoration bonds, net* 746 639 610 Other, net 13,498 10,298 11,336 Total Debt, net 15,112 12,886 13,321 12/31/2019 6/30/2020 9/30/2020 Short-term Debt: Short-term borrowings - - - Indexed debt (ZENS)** 19 17 16 Current portion of other long-term debt - - - Long-term Debt: CNP Inc. Commercial Paper 1,633 316 638 CNP Inc. Credit Facility Borrowings - - - CNP Inc. Term Loan 1,000 700 700 Pollution Control Bonds 68 68 68 CNP Inc. Senior Notes 3,200 3,200 3,200 Total Parent Debt 5,920 4,301 4,622 Less: Intercompany Promissory Notes CNP Midstream Intercompany Promissory Note 1,200 1,200 1,200 VUHI Intercompany Promissory Notes 693 1,168 1,343 Vectren Capital Corporation Intercompany Promissory Notes 191 - - Adjusted Total Parent Debt 3,836 1,933 2,079 Adjusted Total Parent Debt to Adjusted Total Debt, net 25.4% 15.0% 15.6% Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures. Parent debt calculated as a function of principal amounts of external debt at CNP Inc. adjusted for the internal note with Midstream Investments and other internal notes associated with affiliates. VUHI – Vectren Utility Holdings Inc. * The transition and system restoration bonds are serviced with dedicated revenue streams, and the bonds are non-recourse to CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric. 26 ** The debt component reflected on the financial statements was $16 million, $17 million, and $19 million as of September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The principal amount on which 2% interest is paid was $828 million on each of September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The contingent principal amount was $61 million, $66 million, and $75 million as of September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. At maturity or upon redemption, holders of ZENS will receive cash at the higher of the contingent principal amount or the value of the reference shares of AT&T and Charter Communications, Inc.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY CONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED CASH FROM OPERATIONS PRE-WORKING CAPITAL Year Ended December 31, 2019 ($ in millions) Net cash provided by operating activities 1,638 Less: Changes in other assets and liabilities Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (226) Inventory 52 Taxes receivable 106 Accounts payable 455 Fuel cost recovery (92) Margin deposits, net 56 Interest and taxes accrued (54) Other current assets 22 Other current liabilities 107 Cash From Operations, Pre-working Capital 2,064 Amounts included in Cash Flows from Investing Activities Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings 42 Cash From Operations, Pre-working Capital, including Distributions 2,106 Plus: Other Adjustments Defined Benefit Plan Contribution Less Service Cost 69 Operating Leases Rent Expense 19 Adjusted Cash From Operations Pre-Working Capital 2,194 Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures. This slide includes adjusted cash from operations pre-working capital which is net cash provided by operating activities excluding certain changes in other assets and liabilities, and including: (i) distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings included in cash flow from investing activities, as applicable and (ii) other adjustment for defined benefit plans and operating leases. 27

CENTERPOINT ENERGY CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF ADJUSTED CASH FROM OPERATIONS PRE-WORKING CAPITAL/ADJUSTED TOTAL DEBT Year Ended December 31, 2019 ($ in millions) Short-term Debt: Short-term borrowings - Current portion of transition and system restoration bonds 231 Indexed debt (ZENS)** 19 Current portion of other long-term debt 618 Long-term Debt: Transition and system restoration bonds, net* 746 Other, net 13,498 Total Debt, net 15,112 Plus: Other Adjustments 50% of Series A Preferred Stock Aggregate Liquidation Value 400 Benefit obligations 448 Present Value of Operating Lease Liabilities 63 Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount and premium, net 95 Adjusted Total Debt 16,118 Adjusted Cash From Operations Pre-Working Capital/Adjusted Total Debt (Adjusted FFO/Debt) 13.6% Note: Refer to slide 3 for information on non-GAAP measures and slide 27 for CenterPoint Energy's adjusted cash from operations pre-working capital calculation. This slide includes adjusted cash from operations pre-working capital which is net cash provided by operating activities excluding certain changes in other assets and liabilities, and including (i) distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings included in cash flow from investing activities, as applicable, and (ii) other adjustment for defined benefit plans and operating leases *The transition and system restoration bonds are serviced with dedicated revenue streams, and the bonds are non-recourse to CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric. 28 **The debt component reflected on the financial statements was $19 million as of December 31, 2019. The principal amount on which 2% interest is paid was $828 million as of December 31, 2019. The contingent principal amount was $75 million as of December 31, 2019. At maturity or upon redemption, holders of ZENS will receive cash at the higher of the contingent principal amount or the value of the reference shares of AT&T and Charter Communications, Inc.

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Cover Page Cover Page	Nov. 05, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Nov. 05, 2020
Entity Registrant Name	CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity File Number	1-31447
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-0694415
Entity Address, Address Line One	1111 Louisiana
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	(713)
Local Phone Number	207-1111
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001130310
Common Stock | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock | Chicago Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP
Security Exchange Name	CHX
Depositary Shares | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares for 1/20 of 7.00% Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNP/PB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE