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): May 10, 2016

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas	1-31447	74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer 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))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.

On May 10, 2016, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (“CenterPoint Energy”) reported first quarter 2016 earnings. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s first quarter 2016 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 first quarter 2016 earnings on May 10, 2016. Information about the call can be found in the Press Release furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1. For additional information regarding CenterPoint Energy’s first quarter 2016 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 Item 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 May 10, 2016 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s first quarter 2016 earnings
99.2	Supplemental Materials regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s first quarter 2016 earnings

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: May 10, 2016	By:	/s/ Kristie L. Colvin
		Kristie L. Colvin
		Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER	EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99.1	Press Release issued May 10, 2016 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s first quarter 2016 earnings
99.2	Supplemental Materials regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s first quarter 2016 earnings

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For more information contact Media: Leticia Lowe Phone    713.207.7702 Investors: David Mordy Phone    713.207.6500

    For Immediate Release Page 1 of 5            

CenterPoint Energy reports first quarter 2016 earnings of $0.36 per

diluted share and reaffirms full year guidance of $1.12 to $1.20

• Strong utility performance despite milder weather

• Midstream Investments delivers earnings contributions in-line with expectations

Houston, TX – May 10, 2016 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $154 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared with $131 million, or $0.30 per diluted share for the same period of the prior year. On a guidance basis, first quarter 2016 earnings were $0.32 per diluted share, consisting of $0.23 from utility operations and $0.09 from midstream investments.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2016 was $250 million, compared with $256 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Equity income from midstream investments was $60 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared with $52 million for the same period in the prior year.

“2016 is off to a solid start with strong performance from our gas and electric utilities,” said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. “Enable Midstream provided first quarter earnings in-line with expectations as they continue to execute their strategy.”

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $83 million for the first quarter of 2016, consisting of $59 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $24 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for the first quarter of 2015 was $96 million, consisting of $68 million from the TDU and $28 million related to securitization bonds.

Operating income for the TDU benefited primarily from higher net transmission related revenues ($11 million) and customer growth ($6 million). These benefits were more than offset by higher depreciation ($12 million), lower right of way revenues ($6 million) and higher operations and maintenance expense ($5 million).

-more-

Page 2 of 5

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $160 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared with $146 million for the same period of 2015. Operating income benefited from rate increases ($21 million) and customer growth ($2 million). These benefits were partially offset by decreased usage ($4 million), higher depreciation and amortization expenses ($4 million) and higher labor and benefits expenses ($3 million).

Energy Services

The energy services segment reported operating income of $6 million for the first quarter of 2016, which included a mark-to-market accounting loss of $9 million, compared with $13 million for the same period of 2015, which included a mark-to-market loss of $4 million. Excluding mark-to-market losses, the remaining $2 million decrease was margin related, primarily due to reduced weather-related optimization opportunities.

Midstream Investments

The midstream investments segment reported $60 million of equity income for the first quarter of 2016, compared with $52 million in the first quarter of the prior year.

Enable Midstream also declared a quarterly cash distribution on April 26, 2016, of $0.318 per common and subordinated unit. Please refer to Enable’s May 4, 2016, earnings press release for details.

Dividend Declaration

On April 28, 2016, CenterPoint Energy’s board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2575 per share of common stock payable on June 10, 2016, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2016.

Outlook for 2016

On a consolidated basis, CenterPoint Energy reaffirms its earnings estimate for 2016 in the range of $1.12 to $1.20 per diluted share.

The guidance range considers utility operations performance to date and certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as weather, regulatory and judicial proceedings, throughput, commodity prices, effective tax rates, and financing activities. In providing this guidance, the company does not include other potential impacts, such as changes in accounting standards or unusual items, earnings from the change in the value of the ZENS securities and the related stocks, or the timing effects of mark-to-market accounting in the company’s energy service business.

-more-

Page 3 of 5

In providing guidance, the company assumes for midstream investments a 55.4 percent limited partner ownership interest in Enable Midstream and includes the amortization of our basis differential in Enable Midstream. The company’s guidance takes into account such factors as Enable Midstream’s most recent public outlook for 2016 dated May 4, 2016, and effective tax rates. The company does not include other potential impacts such as any changes in accounting standards or Enable Midstream’s unusual items.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Income and diluted EPS to the basis used in providing 2016 annual earnings guidance

	Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
	Net Income (in millions)			EPS
Consolidated as reported	$	154		$	0.36
Midstream Investments		(37	)		(0.09	)
Utility Operations (1)		117			0.27
Timing effects impacting CES(2):
Mark-to-market (gains) losses		6			0.01
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
Marketable securities (3)		(58	)		(0.13	)
Indexed debt securities		36			0.08
Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis	$	101		$	0.23
Per the basis used in providing 2016 earnings guidance:
Utility Operations on a guidance basis	$	101		$	0.23
Midstream Investments		37			0.09
2016 Consolidated on a guidance basis	$	138		$	0.32

(1) CenterPoint earnings excluding Midstream Investments

(2) Energy Services segment

(3) Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Time Inc.

Page 4 of 5

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 period ended March 31, 2016. A copy of that report is available on the company’s website, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and certain documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found under the Investors section.

Webcast of Earnings Conference Call

CenterPoint Energy’s management will host an earnings conference call on Tues., May 10, 2016, at 10 a.m. Central time or 11 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.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company also owns a 55.4 percent limited partner interest in Enable Midstream Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp., which owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With more than 7,400 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 140 years. For more information, visit the website at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 regarding future earnings, and future financial performance and results of operations, including, but not limited to earnings guidance, targeted dividend growth rate and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Factors that could affect actual results include (1) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of CenterPoint Energy’s businesses (including the businesses of Enable Midstream Partners (Enable Midstream)), including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline integrity and safety, health care reform, financial reform, tax legislation, and actions regarding the rates charged by CenterPoint Energy’s regulated businesses; (2) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (3) recording of non-cash goodwill, long-lived asset or other than temporary impairment charges by or related to Enable Midstream; (4) timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (5) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes or other proceedings related to taxes; (6) problems with construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or in cost overruns that cannot be recouped in rates; (7) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy’s service territories and changes in market demand, including the effects of energy efficiency measures and demographic patterns; (8) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas and natural gas liquids, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials, and the impact of commodity changes on producer related activities; (9) weather variations and other natural phenomena, including the impact on operations and capital from severe weather events; (10) any direct or indirect effects on CenterPoint Energy’s facilities, operations and financial condition resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, data security breaches or other attempts to disrupt its businesses or the businesses of third parties, or other catastrophic events; (11) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (12) timely and appropriate regulatory

-more-

Page 5 of 5

actions allowing securitization or other recovery of costs associated with any future hurricanes or natural disasters; (13) changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; (14) commercial bank and financial market conditions, CenterPoint Energy’s access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of its financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets; (15) actions by credit rating agencies; (16) effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy’s risk management activities; (17) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations; (18) non-payment for services due to financial distress of CenterPoint Energy’s and Enable Midstream’s customers; (19) the ability of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc.), a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (20) the ability of retail electric providers, and particularly the largest customers of the TDU, to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (21) the outcome of litigation; (22) CenterPoint Energy’s ability to control costs, invest planned capital, or execute growth projects; (23) the investment performance of pension and postretirement benefit plans; (24) potential business strategies, including restructurings, joint ventures, and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, for which no assurance can be given that they will be completed or will provide the anticipated benefits to CenterPoint Energy; (25) acquisition and merger activities and successful integration of such activities, involving CenterPoint Energy or its competitors; (26) the ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations; (27) future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effects on sales, prices and costs; (28) the performance of Enable Midstream, the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable Midstream, and the value of its interest in Enable Midstream, and factors that may have a material impact on such performance, cash distributions and value, including certain of the factors specified above and: (A) the integration of the operations of the businesses contributed to Enable Midstream; (B) the achievement of anticipated operational and commercial synergies and expected growth opportunities, and the successful implementation of Enable Midstream’s business plan; (C) competitive conditions in the midstream industry, and actions taken by Enable Midstream’s customers and competitors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Enable Midstream; (D) the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas and associated commodity prices, particularly natural gas and natural gas liquids, the competitive effects of the available pipeline capacity in the regions served by Enable Midstream, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials, including the effects of these circumstances on re-contracting available capacity on Enable Midstream’s interstate pipelines; (E) the demand for crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and transportation and storage services; (F) changes in tax status; (G) access to growth capital; and (H) the availability and prices of raw materials for current and future construction projects; (29) effective tax rate; (30) the effect of changes in and application of accounting standards and pronouncements; (31) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as well as in CenterPoint Energy’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted diluted earnings per share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. 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. A reconciliation of net income and diluted earnings per share to the basis used in providing 2016 guidance is provided in this news release.

Management evaluates financial performance in part based on adjusted diluted earnings per share and believes that presenting this non-GAAP financial measure 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 by excluding items that Management does not believe most accurately reflect its fundamental business performance, which items include the items reflected in the reconciliation table of this news release. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered as a supplement and complement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

###

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Statements of Consolidated Income

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Revenues:
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	660		$	612
Natural Gas Distribution		895			1,193
Energy Services		439			650
Other Operations		4			4
Eliminations		(14	)		(26	)
Total		1,984			2,433
Expenses:
Natural gas		852			1,354
Operation and maintenance		521			498
Depreciation and amortization		260			217
Taxes other than income taxes		101			108
Total		1,734			2,177
Operating Income		250			256
Other Income (Expense) :
Gain (loss) on marketable securities		90			(17	)
Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities		(56	)		24
Interest and other finance charges		(87	)		(89	)
Interest on securitization bonds		(24	)		(28	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate		60			52
Other - net		7			11
Total		(10	)		(47	)
Income Before Income Taxes		240			209
Income Tax Expense		86			78
Net Income	$	154		$	131

Reference is made to the Notes to the 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)

	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$	0.36	$	0.30
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	$	0.36	$	0.30
Dividends Declared per Common Share		0.2575	$	0.2475
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000):
- Basic		430,407		429,955
- Diluted		432,594		431,183
Operating Income by Segment
Electric Transmission & Distribution:
Electric Transmission and Distribution Operations	$	59	$	68
Transition and System Restoration Bond Companies		24		28
Total Electric Transmission & Distribution		83		96
Natural Gas Distribution		160		146
Energy Services		6		13
Other Operations		1		1
Total	$	250	$	256

Reference is made to the Notes to the 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)

(Unaudited)

	Electric Transmission & Distribution
	Quarter Ended March 31,						% Diff Fav/(Unfav)
	2016			2015
Results of Operations:
Revenues:
Electric transmission and distribution utility	$	540		$	514			5	%
Transition and system restoration bond companies		120			98			22	%
Total		660			612			8	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance		329			307			(7	%)
Depreciation and amortization		95			83			(14	%)
Taxes other than income taxes		57			56			(2	%)
Transition and system restoration bond companies		96			70			(37	%)
Total		577			516			(12	%)
Operating Income	$	83		$	96			(14	%)
Operating Income:
Electric transmission and distribution operations	$	59		$	68			(13	%)
Transition and system restoration bond companies		24			28			(14	%)
Total Segment Operating Income	$	83		$	96			(14	%)
Electric Transmission & Distribution Operating Data:
Actual MWH Delivered
Residential		5,019,455			5,412,794			(7	%)
Total		18,130,601			18,014,776			1	%
Weather (average for service area):
Percentage of 10-year average:
Cooling degree days		111	%		57	%		54	%
Heating degree days		86	%		135	%		(49	%)
Number of metered customers - end of period:
Residential		2,095,035			2,043,463			3	%
Total		2,364,784			2,310,706			2	%
	Natural Gas Distribution
	Quarter Ended March 31,						% Diff Fav/(Unfav)
	2016			2015
Results of Operations:
Revenues	$	895		$	1,193			(25	%)
Natural gas		445			756			41	%
Gross Margin		450			437			3	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance		189			186			(2	%)
Depreciation and amortization		59			55			(7	%)
Taxes other than income taxes		42			50			16	%
Total		290			291			—
Operating Income	$	160		$	146			10	%
Natural Gas Distribution Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Residential		73			97			(25	%)
Commercial and Industrial		86			88			(2	%)
Total Throughput		159			185			(14	%)
Weather (average for service area)
Percentage of 10-year average:
Heating degree days		87	%		113	%		(26	%)
Number of customers - end of period:
Residential		3,163,094			3,137,337			1	%
Commercial and Industrial		254,781			251,811			1	%
Total		3,417,875			3,389,148			1	%

Reference is made to the Notes to the 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)

(Unaudited)

	Energy Services
	Quarter Ended March 31,						% Diff Fav/(Unfav)
	2016			2015
Results of Operations:
Revenues	$	439		$	650			(32	%)
Natural gas		421			624			33	%
Gross Margin		18			26			(31	%)
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance		10			12			17	%
Depreciation and amortization		1			1			—
Taxes other than income taxes		1			—			—
Total		12			13			8	%
Operating Income	$	6		$	13			(54	%)
Mark-to-market loss	$	(9	)	$	(4	)		(125	%)
Energy Services Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF		171			185			(8	%)
Number of customers - end of period		18,073			18,206			(1	%)
	Other Operations
	Quarter Ended March 31,						% Diff Fav/(Unfav)
	2016			2015
Results of Operations:
Revenues	$	4		$	4			—
Expenses		3			3			—
Operating Income	$	1		$	1			—

Capital Expenditures by Segment

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
Capital Expenditures by Segment
Electric Transmission & Distribution	$	212	$	208
Natural Gas Distribution		89		91
Energy Services		—		1
Other Operations		8		9
Total	$	309	$	309

Interest Expense Detail

(Millions of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Interest Expense Detail
Amortization of Deferred Financing Cost	$	6		$	6
Capitalization of Interest Cost		(2	)		(3	)
Transition and System Restoration Bond Interest Expense		24			28
Other Interest Expense		83			86
Total Interest Expense	$	111		$	117

Reference is made to the Notes to the 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)

	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	218	$	264
Other current assets		2,117		2,425
Total current assets		2,335		2,689
Property, Plant and Equipment, net		11,718		11,537
Other Assets:
Goodwill		840		840
Regulatory assets		3,031		3,129
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		2,580		2,594
Preferred units – unconsolidated affiliate		363		—
Other non-current assets		137		501
Total other assets		6,951		7,064
Total Assets	$	21,004	$	21,290
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	—	$	40
Current portion of securitization bonds long-term debt		400		391
Indexed debt		148		145
Current portion of other long-term debt		576		328
Other current liabilities		1,410		1,554
Total current liabilities		2,534		2,458
Other Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net		5,116		5,047
Regulatory liabilities		1,306		1,276
Other non-current liabilities		1,188		1,182
Total other liabilities		7,610		7,505
Long-term Debt:
Securitization bonds		2,122		2,276
Other		5,232		5,590
Total long-term debt		7,354		7,866
Shareholders’ Equity		3,506		3,461
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,004	$	21,290

Reference is made to the Notes to the 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)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	154		$	131
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		266			224
Deferred income taxes		65			7
Write-down of natural gas inventory		1			2
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net of distributions		(60	)		20
Changes in net regulatory assets		2			58
Changes in other assets and liabilities		203			225
Other, net		3			(1	)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		634			666
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(269	)		(337	)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities		(411	)		(393	)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(46	)		(64	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period		264			298
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	218		$	234

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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

EX-99.2

•

Strong utility performance despite milder weather

•

Midstream Investments delivers earnings contributions in-line with expectations

•

Company reaffirms full year guidance of $1.12 to $1.20

1

Quarter

2016

Earnings

Call

May 10, 2016

Exhibit 99.2

st

investors.centerpointenergy.com

investors.centerpointenergy.com

2

Cautionary Statement

This presentation and the oral statements made in connection herewith contain statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future operations, events, financial

position, earnings, growth, 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.  These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the

meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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,” “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 Continuum acquisition, including statements about future  financial performance, margin and operating income

and growth, guidance , including earnings and dividend growth, future financing plans  and expectation for liquidity and capital resources, tax rates and interest rates, 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 the timing and impact of future regulatory,

legislative and IRS decisions, financial market conditions, future market conditions, economic and employment conditions, customer growth, Enable Midstream’s performance and ability to pay distributions, and

other factors described in CenterPoint Energy, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results of

Operations - Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” and in other filings with the SEC by CenterPoint Energy, which can be found at www.centerpointenergy.com on the Investor Relations page or on the SEC’s

website at www.sec.gov.

This presentation contains time sensitive information that is accurate as of the date hereof.  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 Investors 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.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted diluted earnings per share,

which is a non-GAAP financial measure.  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.  A full reconciliation of net income and diluted earnings per share to the basis used in providing guidance is provided in this

presentation on slide 21.   These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement and complement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial

measure and may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

Management evaluates financial performance in part based on adjusted diluted earnings per share and believes that presenting this non-GAAP financial measure 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 by excluding items that

Management does not believe most accurately reflect its fundamental business performance, which include items reflected in the reconciliation table on slide 21of this presentation.  This non-GAAP financial

measure should be considered as a supplement and complement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and may be different than non-GAAP financial

measures used by other companies.

investors.centerpointenergy.com

3

Earnings Call Highlights

First Quarter Performance Highlights

Full-Year Outlook

Enable Midstream Highlights

Scott

Prochazka

–

President

and

CEO

investors.centerpointenergy.com

4

First Quarter 2016 Performance Highlights

Note: Refer to slide

21 for reconciliation to GAAP measures

and slide 2 for information on non-GAAP measures

Q1 2016 vs Q1 2015 Drivers

(EPS on a Guidance Basis)

Favorable Variance 

Unfavorable Variance

Rate Relief

Customer Growth

Midstream

Investments

Depreciation

O&M Expenses

Weather Related

Usage

Q1 GAAP EPS

Q1 EPS on a Guidance Basis

$0.08

$0.09

$0.22

$0.27

2015

2016

$0.30

$0.36

$0.08

$0.09

$0.22

$0.23

2015

2016

$0.30

$0.32

investors.centerpointenergy.com

$0.31

$0.24 -

$0.28

$0.79

$0.88 -

$0.92

2015

2016

5

Full-Year Outlook

Our

focus

remains

to

invest

in

our

current

utility

service

territories

to

address

ongoing growth, maintenance, reliability, safety and customer service

Earnings

from

Utility

Operations

are

expected

to

represent

75%

-

80%

of

overall

earnings in 2016

We anticipate 2016 Utility Operations earnings growth will be driven by:

Note: Refer to slide 2 for information on non-GAAP measures

2016 Guidance Range vs. 2015 EPS on a Guidance Basis

$1.12 -

$1.20

$1.10

Effective capital management

Optimization of financing costs

Customer and sales growth

Efficient rate recovery

investors.centerpointenergy.com

6

Enable Midstream Highlights

Source: Enable Midstream Partners, May 4, 2016, Press Release and Q1 Earnings Call. Please refer to these materials for an overview of Enable’s Q1 Performance.

(1)

As of the end of each quarter; as of April 12, 2016 there were 22 active rigs contractually dedicated to Enable’s gathering and processing system in the SCOOP and STACK plays

(2)

Available liquidity calculated as Revolving Credit Facility of $1.75B less principal advances of $715MM, less $3MM in letters

of

credit

Active Rigs Connected to Enable in SCOOP/STACK

(1)

26

21

16

22

24

1Q 2015

2Q 2015

3Q 2015

4Q 2015

1Q 2016

Enable Q1 2016 Performance

Announced a first quarter 2016 cash

distribution of $0.318 per common and

subordinated unit

Increased first quarter 2016 per-day

natural gas processed volumes by 6%

compared to first quarter 2015

Increased first quarter 2016 crude oil gathered volumes by 22.1 MBbl/d compared to first

quarter 2015 and by 5.8 MBbl/d compared to fourth quarter 2015

Enable

has

$1.03

billion

of

available

liquidity

(2)

and

achieved

a

first

quarter

2016

distribution

coverage ratio greater than 1.0x

Enable continues to monitor customer activity levels and is focused on deploying capital

efficiently

investors.centerpointenergy.com

7

Earnings Call Highlights

Houston Electric Results

Houston Electric

Growth

A Houston Electric lineman working on lines damaged by

storms

the

week

of

April

17

th

Tracy

Bridge

–

EVP

&

President,

Electric

Division

investors.centerpointenergy.com

$68

$59

$11

$6

($12)

($6)

($5)

($3)

$-

$10

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

$70

$80

$90

Q1 2015 TDU

Core Operating

Income

Rate relief

Customer

growth

Depreciation

Right of way

revenue

O&M expense

Other

Q1 2016 TDU

Core Operating

Income

(1)

Houston Electric’s customer count increased from 2,310,706 as of March 31, 2015, to 2,364,784 as of March 31, 2016

(2)

2015 TDU core operating income represents total segment operating income of $96 million, excluding operating income from transition and system restoration bonds of $28 million

(3)

Net transmission related revenue

(4)

Primarily due to weather-related usage

(5)

2016 TDU core operating income represents total segment operating income of $83 million, excluding operating income from transition and system restoration bonds of $24 million

2% YoY

Customer

Growth

(1)

(2)

(3)

(5)

Electric Transmission and Distribution

Operating Income Drivers: Q1 2015 vs Q1 2016

8

(4)

investors.centerpointenergy.com

Houston Electric Residential Meter Count

(3)

9

Houston Electric Growth

-125

-75

-25

25

75

125

'90

'91

'92

'93

'94

'95

'96

'97

'98

'99

'00

'01

'02

'03

'04

'05

'06

'07

'08

'09

'10

'11

'12

'13

'14

'15

'16

December to December Houston Job Growth

(1,2)

(1)

Job growth data from the Texas Workforce Commission

(2)

2016 job growth forecast from the Greater Houston Partnership

(3)

Meter count data from CenterPoint

Energy

(4)

Houston population growth from the U.S. Census Bureau

In 2015, metro Houston led the nation in population growth, adding 159,000 residents (more than

Dallas or Atlanta)

(4)

CenterPoint

had

in

excess

of

2%

meter

growth

year-over-year,

as

of

the

1

st

quarter

of

2016

investors.centerpointenergy.com

10

2015 Minnesota Beltline Replacement Project in

downtown Minneapolis

Earnings Call Highlights

Gas Utilities Results

Energy Services Results

o

Acquisition of Continuum Retail  

Energy Services

Joe McGoldrick –

EVP & President, Gas Division

investors.centerpointenergy.com

$146

$160

$21

$2

($4)

($4)

($1)

$130

$135

$140

$145

$150

$155

$160

$165

$170

$175

Q1 2015 Gas

Utility Operating

Income

Rate relief

Customer growth

Usage, primarily

weather

Depreciation

Other

Q1 2016 Gas

Utility Operating

Income

11

1% YoY

Customer

Growth

(1)

(1)

Natural Gas Utilities’ customer count increased from 3,389,148 on March 31, 2015, to 3,417,875 on March 31, 2016

(2)

Primarily due to higher labor and benefits expenses

(2)

Natural Gas Utilities

Operating Income Drivers: Q1 2015 vs Q1 2016

investors.centerpointenergy.com

$17

$15

$1

($3)

$10

$12

$14

$16

$18

$20

$22

$24

$26

$28

$30

Q1 2015 Energy Services

Operating Income

Other

Margin

Q1 2016 Energy Services

Operating Income

12

(1)

(3,4)

(1)

Operating income as reported in Q1 2015 was $13 million.  Chart excludes mark-to-market loss of $4 million.

(2)

Primarily due to lower O&M expenses

(3)

Excludes energy services business acquired from Continuum; acquisition closed on April 1, 2016

(4)

Operating income as reported in Q1 2016 was $6 million.  Chart excludes mark-to-market loss of $9 million.

Energy Services

Operating Income Drivers: Q1 2015 vs Q1 2016

(2)

investors.centerpointenergy.com

CenterPoint

Energy Services Acquires Continuum’s Retail Energy

Services Business

Acquisition closed on April 1, 2016

Acquisition includes Continuum’s retail business,

Choice customers, and origination & logistics

assets

Aggregate purchase price of $77.5 million plus

working capital and customary post-closing

purchase price adjustments

Acquisition complements overall natural gas

strategy and increases Energy Services’

commercial and industrial customer base by   

over 30%

Expanded operational footprint positions Energy

Services to access more markets, grow efficiently,

and achieve economies of scale

Combined energy services business will continue

to operate with a low Value-at-Risk business

model

Expected to increase annual gross margin of

Energy Services by approximately 40%

Combined energy services business

projected

to

contribute

$40

-

$50

million

in annual operating income in 2017

13

(1)

Includes Continuum’s energy services customers and operational footprint

investors.centerpointenergy.com

14

Bill Rogers –

EVP & CFO

Earnings Call Highlights

First Quarter Earnings

Guidance Parameters

Financing,

Interest Expense & Tax

investors.centerpointenergy.com

15

Note:  Refer to slide 2 for information on non-GAAP measures

EPS:  Q1 2016 vs Q1 2015

EPS

EPS

Consolidated as reported

0.36

$         

0.30

$         

Midstream Investments

(0.09)

(0.08)

Utility Operations

(1)

0.27

0.22

Timing effects impacting CES

(2)

:

Mark-to-market (gains) losses

0.01

0.01

ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:

Marketable securities

(3)

(0.13)

0.03

Indexed debt securities

0.08

(0.04)

Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis

0.23

$         

0.22

$         

Per the basis used in providing earnings guidance:

Utility Operations on a guidance basis

0.23

$         

0.22

$         

Midstream Investments

0.09

0.08

Consolidated on a guidance basis

0.32

$         

0.30

$         

(1)

CenterPoint earnings excluding Midstream Investments

(2)

Energy Services segment

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2015

Quarter Ended

(3)

2016 and 2015 results include Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Time Inc.. 2015 results also include

AOL Inc. prior to the merger with Verizon.

investors.centerpointenergy.com

investors.centerpointenergy.com

16

2016 Earnings Guidance

Midstream

Investments

$0.31

2015 Consolidated

EPS: $1.10

Utility

Operations

2016 Consolidated

EPS: $1.12 -$1.20

2015

2016

2017

2018

$0.79

$0.88

to

$0.92

$0.24

to

$0.28

4-6% YoY EPS Growth

Earnings from Utility Operations were

~70% of overall earnings in 2015 and are

expected to represent 75% -

80% in 2016

Utility Operations are expected to

produce 75-80% of cash flow in 2016

2016 Utility Operations EPS growth

expected to include:

Enable preferred investment

Interest expense benefit

Utility operating income growth

Note:  Refer to slide 2 for information on non-GAAP measures

4-6% YoY EPS Growth

4-6% YoY EPS Growth

investors.centerpointenergy.com

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Anticipate strong balance sheet and cash flow

Project total capital investment of ~$1.4 billion for 2016

No external sources or cash from operations needed to finance

$363 million investment in Enable’s perpetual preferred securities

Net incremental borrowings of ~$150 million for 2016, inclusive of

funding of the acquisition of Continuum’s marketing business

Expect to refinance $600 million debt at Houston Electric in 2016

$325 million with a 6.15% coupon matured at CERC on May 1, 2016

Equity issuance not anticipated in 2016 or 2017

No anticipated incremental financing needs for 2017; dependent

on factors including bonus depreciation, capital investment plans,

and working capital

Tax Rates

Continue to anticipate 36% effective tax rate for 2016

Interest Rates

Full-year 2016 interest expense projected to be lower than 2015

Near term maturities and refinancing suggest interest expense

savings

17

Financing, Interest Expense and Tax

(1)

Excludes transition and system restoration bonds

(2)

Total debt includes revolver and commercial paper borrowings; excludes money pool borrowing

Equity/Total Capital

(2)

(as of March 31, 2016)

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

Consolidated

37.1%

CenterPoint Energy Houston

Electric, LLC

42.5%

CenterPoint Energy Resources

Corp

58.6%

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

2017

2018

Long Term Debt Maturities ($MM)

(1)

CNP

CERC

investors.centerpointenergy.com

18

Appendix

investors.centerpointenergy.com

DCRF –

Distribution Cost Recovery Factor; GRIP –

Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program; PBRC –

Performance Based Rate Change

Mechanism

Expected

Effective Date

Annual Increase

($MM)

Comments

Docket #

DCRF

3Q 2016

$36.4

Filed on April 4, 2016; request of $49.4 million, 

representing a $36.4 million increase from 2015

DCRF filing; approval expected during 3Q 2016

45747

Requested annualized rate relief from pending 2016 filings: $36.4 million

Jurisdiction

Expected

Effective Date

Annual Increase

($MM)

Comments

Docket #

Houston

3Q 2016

$7.7

GRIP filed in March 2016; pending

approval

10508

South Texas

3Q 2016

$2.1

GRIP filed in March 2016; pending approval

10509

Beaumont/

East Texas

3Q 2016

$4.2

GRIP filed in March 2016; pending approval

10510

Texas Coast

3Q

2016

$4.2

GRIP filed in March

2016; pending approval

10511

Oklahoma

-

$0.5

PBRC

filed in March 2016; hearing scheduled

for June

7, 2016; pending

approval

PUD201600094

Requested annualized rate relief from pending 2016 filings: $18.7 million

Q1 2016 Regulatory Update

19

Electric Transmission and Distribution: 2016 Regulatory Update

Natural Gas Utilities: 2016 Regulatory Update

investors.centerpointenergy.com

Jurisdiction

Effective Date

Rate Relief ($MM)

Comments

Docket #

Minnesota

October

2015

Interim rates

effective

in

October 2015

Rate case requesting an annual

increase of

$54.1MM

filed in August 2015; interim increase

of $47.8MM effective in October 2015; final

decision from the MPUC expected in mid-2016

15-424

MPUC –

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission; BDA –

Billing Determinant Rate Adjustment

(1)

Interim rates begin the recognition of revenue, subject to refund (pending issuance of final order)

Jurisdiction

Date Recognized

Rate Relief ($MM)

Comments

Docket #

Arkansas

December 2015

$5.5

BDA filed in March 2016; revenue recognized in

fourth quarter

2015; interim rates effective in

June 2016; pending approval

06-161-U

Rate

relief

from

2016

filings

recognized

in

2015

(includes

interim

rates

(1)

): $5.5 million

Q1 2016 Regulatory Update

20

Jurisdiction

Expected

Effective Date

Annual Increase

($MM)

Comments

Docket #

Arkansas

3Q 2016

$35.6

Rate case filed on

November 10, 2015; pending

approval

15-098-U

Requested annualized rate relief from pending 2015 filings: $35.6 million

Additional pending 2015 filings

Natural Gas Utilities: 2016 Regulatory Update (Continued)

investors.centerpointenergy.com

21

Note:  Refer to slide 2 for information on non-GAAP measures

Reconciliation:  Net Income and diluted EPS to the Basis Used in

Providing Annual Earnings Guidance

Net Income

(in millions)

EPS

Net Income

(in millions)

EPS

Consolidated as reported

154

$           

0.36

$          

131

$           

0.30

$          

Midstream Investments

(37)

(0.09)

(33)

(0.08)

Utility Operations

(1)

117

0.27

98

0.22

Timing effects impacting CES

(2)

:

Mark-to-market (gains) losses

6

0.01

3

0.01

ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:

Marketable securities

(3)

(58)

(0.13)

11

0.03

Indexed debt securities

36

0.08

(16)

(0.04)

Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis

101

$           

0.23

$          

96

$             

0.22

$          

Per the basis used in providing earnings guidance:

Utility Operations on a guidance basis

101

$           

0.23

$          

96

$             

0.22

$          

Midstream Investments

37

0.09

33

0.08

Consolidated on a guidance basis

138

$           

0.32

$          

129

$           

0.30

$          

(1)

  CenterPoint earnings excluding Midstream Investments

(2)

  Energy Services segment

(3)

2016 and 2015 results include Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Time Inc.. 2015 results also include AOL Inc. prior to the merger with Verizon.

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2015

Quarter Ended