CenterPoint Energy reports full-year 2018 earnings of $0.74 per diluted share; $1.60 earnings per diluted share on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the merger

HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported full-year income available to common shareholders of $333 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared with $1,792 million, or $4.13 per diluted share in 2017.

On a guidance basis, full-year 2018 earnings were $1.60 per diluted share, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger (the merger). Full-year 2017 earnings, on a guidance basis, were $1.37 per diluted share, excluding a one-time tax benefit of $1,113 million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) federal income tax rate reduction.

Fourth quarter 2018 earnings were $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $2.99 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2017. On a guidance basis, fourth quarter 2018 earnings were $0.36 per diluted share, excluding impacts associated with the merger. Excluding the TCJA tax benefit, on a guidance basis, fourth quarter 2017 earnings were $0.33 per diluted share.

"I am very pleased with our 2018 results as they represent another solid year of meeting the financial goals we set," said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our recently completed merger expands our utility businesses to eight states, provides opportunities to leverage and expand our competitive energy businesses across a larger U.S. footprint, and gives us greater confidence in putting forward long-term financial targets."

Business Segments

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported full-year 2018 operating income of $623 million, consisting of $568 million from the regulated electric transmission and distribution utility operations (TDU) and $55 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for 2017 was $636 million, consisting of $561 million from the TDU and $75 million related to securitization bonds.

Operating income for the TDU benefited primarily from rate relief, customer growth and higher equity return related to the annual true-up of transition charges. These benefits were partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses, lower revenues reflecting the lower federal corporate income tax rate due to the TCJA, and higher depreciation and amortization expense.

The retrospective adoption of the accounting standard for compensation-retirement benefits (ASU 2017-07) resulted in an increase to TDU operating income and a corresponding decrease to other income of $26 million for 2017.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported full-year 2018 operating income of $266 million, compared with $348 million in 2017.

Full-year 2018 operating income for natural gas distribution improved primarily as a result of rate relief and customer growth. These increases were more than offset by lower revenues reflecting the lower federal corporate income tax rate due to the TCJA, higher operation and maintenance expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expense.

The retrospective adoption of ASU 2017-07 resulted in an increase to natural gas distribution operating income and a corresponding decrease to other income of $20 million for 2017.

Energy Services

The energy services segment reported a full-year operating loss of $47 million, which included a mark-to-market loss of $110 million, compared with operating income of $126 million for 2017, which included a mark-to-market gain of $79 million. Excluding mark-to-market adjustments, operating income was $63 million in 2018 compared to $47 million in 2017. Operating income increased primarily due to improved margin and volumes. This increase was partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses primarily associated with growth.

Midstream Investments

The midstream investments segment reported full-year 2018 equity income of $307 million, compared with $265 million in 2017.

Other Operations

The other operations segment reported an operating loss of $11 million for full-year 2018, compared with operating income of $26 million in 2017. This decrease is primarily due to merger-related costs.

Earnings Outlook

    --  2018 - 2023 target of 5 - 7% compound annual guidance basis EPS growth,
        using $1.60 as the starting EPS
    --  2019 guidance basis EPS range of $1.60 - $1.70, excluding certain
        impacts associated with the merger:
        --  Integration and transaction-related fees and expenses, including
            severance and other costs to achieve anticipated cost savings as a
            result of the merger
        --  Merger financing impacts in January, prior to the completion of the
            merger, due to the issuance of debt and equity securities to fund
            the merger that resulted in higher net interest expense and higher
            common stock share count
    --  2020 guidance basis EPS range of $1.75 - $1.90

Both the 2019 and 2020 guidance ranges consider operations performance to date and assumptions for certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as customer growth (approximately 2% for electric operations and 1% for natural gas distribution) and usage including normal weather, throughput, commodity prices, recovery of capital invested through rate cases and other rate filings, effective tax rates, financing activities and related interest rates, and regulatory and judicial proceedings as well as the volume of work contracted in our infrastructure services business. The ranges also consider anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger and the estimated cost and timing of technology integration projects. The 2019 guidance range assumes Enable Midstream Partners, LP's (Enable) 2019 guidance range for net income attributable to common units of $435 - $505 million, provided on Enable's 4(th) quarter earnings call on February 19, 2019. The 2020 guidance range utilizes a range of CenterPoint Energy scenarios for Enable's 2020 net income attributable to common units.

In providing this guidance, CenterPoint Energy uses a non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share that does not consider other potential impacts, such as changes in accounting standards or unusual items, including those from Enable, earnings or losses 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 Services business, which, along with the certain excluded impacts associated with the merger, 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 adjusted diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business are not estimable as they are highly variable and difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control.


                                        
             Quarter Ended



                                   
         December 31, 2018      
       December 31, 2017



                                     
            Dollars             
        Diluted EPS        
            Dollars        
     Diluted EPS
                                       in millions                                          in millions





              Consolidated income
               available to common
               shareholders and
               diluted EPS                             $90                          $0.18                  $1,296                  $2.99


         Midstream
          Investments                                 (67)                        (0.13)                  (551)                (1.27)


         Utility Operations
          (1)                                          23                           0.05                     745                   1.72





              Timing effects
               impacting CES(2):


        Mark-to-market
         (gains) losses (net
         of taxes of $9 and
         $20)(3)                                        30                           0.06                    (36)                (0.09)




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


       Marketable
        securities (net of
        taxes of $19 and
        $33) (3)(4)                                     69                           0.13                      64                   0.15


       Indexed debt
        securities (net of
        taxes of $18 and
        $38) (3)                                      (66)                        (0.13)                   (70)                (0.16)


              Utility operations
               earnings on an
               adjusted guidance
               basis                                   $56                          $0.11                    $703                  $1.62





              Adjusted income and
               adjusted diluted
               EPS used in
               providing earnings
               guidance:


       Utility Operations
        on a guidance basis                            $56                          $0.11                    $703                  $1.62


       Midstream
        Investments                                     67                           0.13                     551                   1.27


              Consolidated on a
               guidance basis                         $123                          $0.24                  $1,254                  $2.89





              Impacts associated
               with the Vectren
               merger:


      Merger impacts other
       than the increase
       in share count (net
       of taxes of $2) (3)                              37                           0.07


      Impact of increased
       share count on
       Utility EPS                                                                  0.03


      Impact of increased
       share count on
       Midstream EPS                                                                0.02



      Total merger impacts                              37                           0.12




              Gain from tax
               reform(5)



     Utility                                                                                             (599)                (1.38)


      Midstream                                                                                           (514)                (1.18)



      Total gain from tax
       reform                                                                                           (1,113)                (2.56)




      Utility Operations
       on a guidance
       basis, excluding
       impacts associated
       with the Vectren
       merger and gain
       from tax reform                                 $93                          $0.21                    $104                  $0.24


      Midstream
       Investments
       excluding impacts
       associated with the
       Vectren merger and
       gain from tax
       reform                                           67                           0.15                      37                   0.09



              Consolidated on a
               guidance basis,
               excluding impacts
               associated with the
               Vectren merger and
               gain from tax
               reform                                 $160                          $0.36                    $141                  $0.33

                            (1)  CenterPoint earnings excluding
                             Midstream Investments


                            (2)  Energy Services segment


                            (3)  Taxes are computed based on the
                             impact removing such item would have on
                             tax expense


                            (4)  As of June 14, 2018, comprised of
                             AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications,
                             Inc. Prior to June 14, 2018, comprised of
                             Time Warner Inc. and Charter
                             Communications, Inc.


                    Results prior to January 31, 2018 also
                     included Time Inc.


                            (5)  Tax reform legislation informally
                             called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017


                                     
              Twelve Months Ended



                                   
          December 31, 2018           December 31, 2017



                                     
             Dollars              
        Diluted EPS       
            Dollars        
     Diluted EPS
                                       in millions                                           in millions





              Consolidated income
               available to common
               shareholders and
               diluted EPS                               $333                        $0.74                  $1,792                 $4.13


       Midstream
        Investments                                     (223)                      (0.49)                  (675)               (1.56)


       Utility Operations
        (1)                                              110                         0.25                   1,117                  2.57





              Timing effects
               impacting CES(2):


      Mark-to-market
       (gains) losses (net
       of taxes of $26 and
       $29)(3)                                             84                         0.18                    (50)               (0.12)




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


     Marketable
      securities (net of
      taxes of $5 and $3)
      (3)(4)                                               17                         0.04                     (4)               (0.01)


     Indexed debt
      securities (net of
      taxes of $49 and
      $17) (3)(5)                                         183                         0.40                    (32)               (0.07)


              Utility operations
               earnings on an
               adjusted guidance
               basis                                     $394                        $0.87                  $1,031                 $2.37





              Adjusted income and
               adjusted diluted
               EPS used in
               providing earnings
               guidance:


     Utility Operations
      on a guidance basis                                $394                        $0.87                  $1,031                 $2.37


     Midstream
      Investments                                         223                         0.49                     675                  1.56


              Consolidated on a
               guidance basis                            $617                        $1.36                  $1,706                 $3.93





              Impacts associated
               with the Vectren
               merger:


     Merger impacts other
      than the increase
      in share count (net
      of taxes of $12)
      (3)                                                 81                         0.18


     Impact of increased
      share count on
      Utility EPS                                                                    0.04


     Impact of increased
      share count on
      Midstream EPS                                                                  0.02



     Total merger impacts                                  81                         0.24




              Gain from tax
               reform(6)


     Utility                                                                                               (599)               (1.38)


     Midstream                                                                                             (514)               (1.18)



     Total gain from tax
      reform                                                                                             (1,113)               (2.56)




     Utility Operations
      on a guidance
      basis, excluding
      impacts associated
      with the Vectren
      merger and gain
      from tax reform                                    $475                        $1.09                    $432                 $0.99


     Midstream
      Investments
      excluding impacts
      associated with the
      Vectren merger and
      gain from tax
      reform                                              223                         0.51                     161                  0.38


              Consolidated on a
               guidance basis,
               excluding impacts
               associated with the
               Vectren merger and
               gain from tax
               reform                                    $698                        $1.60                    $593                 $1.37

                            (1)  CenterPoint earnings excluding
                             Midstream Investments


                            (2)  Energy Services segment


                            (3)  Taxes are computed based on the
                             impact removing such item would have on
                             tax expense


                            (4)  As of June 14, 2018, comprised of
                             AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications,
                             Inc. Prior to June 14, 2018, comprised of
                             Time Warner Inc. and Charter
                             Communications, Inc.


                    Results prior to January 31, 2018 also
                     included Time Inc.


                            (5)  2018 includes amounts associated with
                             the acquisition of Time Warner Inc. by
                             AT&T Inc. as well as the Meredith tender
                             offer for Time Inc. common stock


                            (6)  Tax reform legislation informally
                             called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

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

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. 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 Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Central time/10:00 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.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an energy delivery company with regulated utility businesses in eight states and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. CenterPoint Energy's competitive energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns 54.0 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 14,000 employees and nearly $30 billion in assets, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit 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.

Risks Related to CenterPoint Energy
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the performance of Enable Midstream Partners, LP (Enable), the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, Enable's ability to redeem the Enable Series A Preferred Units in certain circumstances and the value of CenterPoint Energy's interest in Enable, and factors that may have a material impact on such performance, cash distributions and value, including factors such as: (A) competitive conditions in the midstream industry, and actions taken by Enable's customers and competitors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Enable; (B) the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas and associated commodity prices, particularly prices of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), the competitive effects of the available pipeline capacity in the regions served by Enable, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials, including the effects of these circumstances on re-contracting available capacity on Enable's interstate pipelines; (C) the demand for crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and transportation and storage services; (D) environmental and other governmental regulations, including the availability of drilling permits and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing; (E) recording of goodwill, long-lived asset or other than temporary impairment charges by or related to Enable; (F) changes in tax status; and (G) access to debt and equity capital; (2) CenterPoint Energy's expected benefits of the merger with Vectren Corporation (Vectren) and integration, including the outcome of shareholder litigation filed against Vectren that could reduce anticipated benefits of the merger, as well as the ability to successfully integrate the Vectren businesses and realize anticipated benefits and the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what CenterPoint Energy expects; (3) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy's service territories and changes in market demand, including the demand for CenterPoint Energy's non-utility products and services and effects of energy efficiency measures and demographic patterns; (4) timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment, including Houston Electric's anticipated rate case in 2019, the outcome of which may not result in expected rates or recovery of costs; (5) future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effect on sales, prices and costs; (6) weather variations and other natural phenomena, including the impact of severe weather events on operations and capital; (7) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of CenterPoint Energy's and Enable's businesses, including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline integrity and safety and changes in regulation and legislation pertaining to trade, health care, finance and actions regarding the rates charged by our regulated businesses; (8) tax legislation, including the effects of the comprehensive tax reform legislation informally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (which includes any potential changes to interest deductibility) and uncertainties involving state commissions' and local municipalities' regulatory requirements and determinations regarding the treatment of excess deferred income taxes and CenterPoint Energy's rates; (9) CenterPoint Energy's ability to mitigate weather impacts through normalization or rate mechanisms, and the effectiveness of such mechanisms; (10) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials; (11) actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings; (12) changes in interest rates and their impact on CenterPoint Energy's costs of borrowing and the valuation of its pension benefit obligation; (13) problems with regulatory approval, 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; (14) the availability and prices of raw materials and services and changes in labor for current and future construction projects; (15) local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (16) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (17) any direct or indirect effects on CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's facilities, operations and financial condition resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, data security breaches or other attempts to disrupt CenterPoint Energy's businesses or the businesses of third parties, or other catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, leaks, floods, droughts, hurricanes, pandemic health events or other occurrences; (18) CenterPoint Energy's ability to invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint Energy's investments; (19) CenterPoint Energy's ability to control operation and maintenance costs; (20) the sufficiency of CenterPoint Energy's insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms and ability to recover claims; (21) the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy's pension and postretirement benefit plans; (22) commercial bank and financial market conditions, CenterPoint Energy's access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of CenterPoint Energy's financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets; (23) changes in rates of inflation; (24) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to CenterPoint Energy; (25) non-payment for CenterPoint Energy's services due to financial distress of its customers; (26) the extent and effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's and Enable's risk management and hedging activities, including but not limited to, financial and weather hedges and commodity risk management activities; (27) timely and appropriate regulatory actions, which include actions allowing securitization, for any future hurricanes or natural disasters or other recovery of costs, including costs associated with Hurricane Harvey; (28) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's potential business strategies and strategic initiatives, including restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses (including a reduction of CenterPoint Energy's interests in Enable, if any, whether through CenterPoint Energy's decision to sell a portion of the Enable common units it owns in the public equity markets or otherwise, subject to certain limitations), which CenterPoint Energy and Enable cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to CenterPoint Energy or Enable; (29) acquisition and merger activities involving CenterPoint Energy or its competitors, including the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition and divestiture plans; (30) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations; (31) the outcome of litigation; (32) the ability of retail electric providers (REPs), including REP affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. and Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (33) changes in technology, particularly with respect to efficient battery storage or the emergence or growth of new, developing or alternative sources of generation; (34) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes and other proceedings related to taxes; (35) the effective tax rates; (36) the effect of changes in and application of accounting standards and pronouncements; and (37) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 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 by CenterPoint Energy in Providing Guidance

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including presentation of income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted income and adjusted 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. CenterPoint Energy's adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share calculation excludes from income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, respectively, the impact of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business. CenterPoint Energy's guidance for 2019 also does not reflect certain impacts associated with the Vectren merger, which are integration and transaction-related fees and expenses, including severance and other costs to achieve anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger and merger financing impacts in January, prior to the completion of the merger due to the issuance of debt and equity securities to fund the merger that resulted in higher net interest expense and higher common stock share count. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward looking adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business are not estimable as they are highly variable and difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control. These excluded items, along with the excluded impacts associated with the merger, could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period.

Management evaluates the company's financial performance in part based on adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. 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. 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 of this news release, where applicable. CenterPoint Energy's adjusted income and adjusted 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.


                                                                                
              CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                    
              Statements of Consolidated Income


                                                                                          
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                                               
              (Unaudited)






                                                        
          Quarter Ended                       
              Year Ended


                                                        
          December 31,                       
              December 31,



                                                                            2018                            
              2017 (1)                       2018  
     2017 (1)








     Revenues:



     Utility revenues                                                    $1,629                                         $1,602                      $6,163      $5,603



     Non-utility revenues                                                 1,407                                          1,036                       4,426       4,011



     Total                                                                3,036                                          2,638                      10,589       9,614






     Expenses:



     Utility natural gas                                                    451                                            403                       1,410       1,109



     Non-utility natural gas                                              1,437                                            942                       4,364       3,785



     Operation and maintenance                                              621                                            595                       2,335       2,157


      Depreciation and amortization                                          261                                            287                       1,243       1,036


      Taxes other than income taxes                                           99                                            103                         406         391



     Total                                                                2,869                                          2,330                       9,758       8,478




     Operating Income                                                       167                                            308                         831       1,136






     Other Income (Expense):


      Gain on marketable securities                                         (88)                                          (97)                       (22)          7


      Gain (loss) on indexed debt
       securities                                                             84                                            108                       (232)         49


      Interest and other finance charges                                   (102)                                          (78)                      (361)      (313)


      Interest on securitization bonds                                      (13)                                          (19)                       (59)       (77)


      Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
       affiliates                                                             99                                             66                         307         265



     Other - net                                                             34                                            (2)                         50         (4)




     Total                                                                   14                                           (22)                      (317)       (73)






     Income Before Income Taxes                                             181                                            286                         514       1,063




      Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                            61                                        (1,010)                        146       (729)






     Net Income                                                             120                                          1,296                         368       1,792





      Preferred Stock Dividend Requirement                                    30                                                                        35




      Income Available to Common
       Shareholders                                                          $90                                         $1,296                        $333      $1,792






     (1) Restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07.






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


                                                             
             contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K 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                               
              Year Ended


                                                                        
              December 31,                               
              December 31,



                                                                                                    2018                                    
              2017 (1)              2018  
     2017 (1)








       Basic Earnings Per Common Share                                                            $0.18                                                  $3.01              $0.74       $4.16





        Diluted Earnings Per Common Share                                                          $0.18                                                  $2.99              $0.74       $4.13





        Dividends Declared per Common Share                                                      $0.5650                                                $0.5450            $1.1200     $1.3475





       Dividends Paid per Common Share                                                          $0.2775                                                $0.2675            $1.1100     $1.0700




             Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
              (000):



       - Basic                                                                                  500,437                                                431,038            448,829     430,964



       - Diluted                                                                                504,073                                                434,382            452,465     434,308






                     Operating Income (Loss) by Segment (1)

    ---



        Electric Transmission & Distribution:



       TDU                                                                                          $88                                                   $108               $568        $561



       Bond Companies                                                                                12                                                     17                 55          75


        Total Electric Transmission & Distribution                                                   100                                                    125                623         636



       Natural Gas Distribution                                                                     100                                                    113                266         348



       Energy Services                                                                             (27)                                                    68               (47)        126



       Other Operations                                                                             (6)                                                     2               (11)         26





       Total                                                                                       $167                                                   $308               $831      $1,136








       (1) Results of operations have been restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07.




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


                                                                                   
              contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.


                                                                                                                                      
              CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                                          
              Results of Operations by Segment


                                                                                                                                                
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                                                                                                     
              (Unaudited)






                                                                                  
              
             Electric Transmission & Distribution

                                                                                                                                                          ---

                                                                       
              Quarter Ended                                                                            
              Year Ended


                                                                       
              December 31,                              
              % Diff                             
              December 31,           
     % Diff



                                                                                                  2018                              
              2017 (1)                    
              Fav/(Unfav)                         2018  
      2017 (1)  
     Fav/(Unfav)



                   Results of Operations:



     Revenues:



     TDU                                                                                         $629                                             $644                                           (2%)                   $2,638       $2,588                  2%



     Bond Companies                                                                               101                                              119                                          (15%)                      594          409                 45%




     Total                                                                                        730                                              763                                           (4%)                    3,232        2,997                  8%






     Expenses:


      Operation and maintenance, excluding Bond
       Companies                                                                                   388                                              379                                           (2%)                    1,444        1,397                (3%)


      Depreciation and amortization, excluding
       Bond Companies                                                                               93                                               99                                             6%                      386          395                  2%



     Taxes other than income taxes                                                                 60                                               58                                           (3%)                      240          235                (2%)



     Bond Companies                                                                                89                                              102                                            13%                      539          334               (61%)




     Total                                                                                        630                                              638                                             1%                    2,609        2,361               (11%)




     Operating Income                                                                            $100                                             $125                                          (20%)                     $623         $636                (2%)






     Operating Income:



     TDU                                                                                          $88                                             $108                                          (19%)                     $568         $561                  1%



     Bond Companies                                                                                12                                               17                                          (29%)                       55           75               (27%)




     Total Segment Operating Income                                                              $100                                             $125                                          (20%)                     $623         $636                (2%)





                   Electric Transmission & Distribution
                    Operating Data:


                   Actual MWH Delivered



     Residential                                                                            5,919,117                                        6,191,591                                           (4%)               30,405,434   29,703,307                  2%



     Total                                                                                 20,062,233                                       20,680,236                                           (3%)               90,408,834   88,636,416                  2%




                   Weather (average for service area):



     Percentage of 10-year average:



     Cooling degree days                                                                          91%                                            133%                                         (42%)                     103%        109%               (6%)



     Heating degree days                                                                         119%                                            100%                                           19%                     104%         63%                41%




                   Number of metered customers -end of
                    period:



     Residential                                                                            2,198,225                                        2,164,073                                             2%                2,198,225    2,164,073                  2%



     Total                                                                                  2,485,370                                        2,444,299                                             2%                2,485,370    2,444,299                  2%






                                                                                        
              
             Natural Gas Distribution

                                                                                                                                                          ---

                                                                       
              Quarter Ended                                                                            
              Year Ended


                                                                       
              December 31,                              
              % Diff                             
              December 31,           
     % Diff



                                                                                                  2018                              
              2017 (1)                    
              Fav/(Unfav)                         2018  
      2017 (1)  
     Fav/(Unfav)



                   Results of Operations:



     Revenues                                                                                    $909                                             $848                                             7%                   $2,967       $2,639                 12%



     Natural gas                                                                                  495                                              422                                          (17%)                    1,467        1,164               (26%)




        Gross Margin                                                                              414                                              426                                           (3%)                    1,500        1,475                  2%




     Expenses:



     Operation and maintenance                                                                    211                                              206                                           (2%)                      803          722               (11%)



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                 67                                               66                                           (2%)                      277          260                (7%)



     Taxes other than income taxes                                                                 36                                               41                                            12%                      154          145                (6%)



     Total                                                                                        314                                              313                                                                   1,234        1,127                (9%)



     Operating Income                                                                            $100                                             $113                                          (12%)                     $266         $348               (24%)





                   Natural Gas Distribution Operating Data:


                   Throughput data in BCF



     Residential                                                                                   63                                               57                                            11%                      186          151                 23%



     Commercial and Industrial                                                                     77                                               72                                             7%                      285          261                  9%



     Total Throughput                                                                             140                                              129                                             9%                      471          412                 14%





                   Weather (average for service area)



     Percentage of 10-year average:



     Heating degree days                                                                         112%                                            101%                                           11%                     106%         83%                23%




                   Number of customers -end of period:



     Residential                                                                            3,246,277                                        3,213,140                                             1%                3,246,277    3,213,140                  1%



     Commercial and Industrial                                                                260,033                                          256,651                                             1%                  260,033      256,651                  1%



     Total                                                                                  3,506,310                                        3,469,791                                             1%                3,506,310    3,469,791                  1%






     (1) Results of operations have been restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07.




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


                                                                                                                     
              contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.


                                                                                                                            
              CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                                                                                                
              Results of Operations by Segment


                                                                                                                                      
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                                                                                           
              (Unaudited)






                                                                                    
            
      Energy Services

                                                                                                                                     ---

                                                              
              Quarter Ended                                                                
              Year Ended


                                                               
              December 31,                  
              % Diff                            
              December 31,                     
     % Diff



                                                                                       2018                    
              2017 (1)                    
              Fav/(Unfav)                                2018  
     2017 (1)  
     Fav/(Unfav)



                   Results of Operations:



     Revenues                                                                       $1,456                                 $1,051                                            39%                          $4,521      $4,049                 12%



     Natural gas                                                                     1,455                                    951                                          (53%)                           4,453       3,816               (17%)




        Gross Margin                                                                     1                                    100                                          (99%)                              68         233               (71%)




     Expenses:



     Operation and maintenance                                                          22                                     21                                           (5%)                              96          86               (12%)


      Depreciation and amortization                                                       4                                     10                                            60%                              16          19                 16%


      Taxes other than income taxes                                                       2                                      1                                         (100%)                               3           2               (50%)



     Total                                                                              28                                     32                                            13%                             115         107                (7%)



     Operating Income (Loss)                                                         $(27)                                   $68                                         (140%)                           $(47)       $126              (137%)





      Timing impacts of mark-to-market
       gain (loss)                                                                    $(39)                                   $56                                         (170%)                          $(110)        $79              (239%)





                   Energy Services Operating Data:


                   Throughput data in BCF                                               362                                    336                                             8%                           1,355       1,200                 13%





                   Number of customers -end of period                                30,000                                 31,000                                           (3%)                          30,000      31,000                (3%)







                                                                                   
            
      Other Operations

                                                                                                                                     ---

                                                              
              Quarter Ended                                                                
              Year Ended


                                                               
              December 31,                  
              % Diff                            
              December 31,                     
     % Diff



                                                                                       2018                    
              2017 (1)                    
              Fav/(Unfav)                                2018  
     2017 (1)  
     Fav/(Unfav)



                   Results of Operations:



     Revenues                                                                           $4                                     $3                                            33%                             $15         $14                  7%



     Expenses                                                                           10                                      1                                         (900%)                              26        (12)             (317%)



     Operating Income (Loss)                                                          $(6)                                    $2                                         (400%)                           $(11)        $26              (142%)





                                                                                                                       
              
                 Capital Expenditures by Segment


                                                                                                                                   
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                                                                                        
              (Unaudited)




                                                              
              Quarter Ended                                                                
              Year Ended


                                                               
              December 31,                                                               
              December 31,



                                                                                       2018                                   2017                                                                           2018        2017



                   Capital Expenditures by Segment


      Electric Transmission & Distribution                                             $283                                   $308                                                                           $952        $924



     Natural Gas Distribution                                                          229                                    137                                                                            638         523



     Energy Services                                                                     7                                      6                                                                             20          11



     Other Operations                                                                   75                                     17                                                                            110          36



     Total                                                                            $594                                   $468                                                                         $1,720      $1,494





                                                                                                                           
              
                Interest Expense Detail


                                                                                                                                   
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                                                                                        
              (Unaudited)




                                                              
              Quarter Ended                                                                
              Year Ended


                                                               
              December 31,                                                               
              December 31,



                                                                                       2018                                   2017                                                                           2018        2017



                   Interest Expense Detail


      Amortization of Deferred Financing
       Cost                                                                             $14                                     $5                                                                            $48         $22


      Capitalization of Interest Cost                                                   (2)                                   (3)                                                                           (8)        (9)


      Transition and System Restoration
       Bond Interest Expense                                                             13                                     19                                                                             59          77



     Other Interest Expense                                                             90                                     76                                                                            321         300



     Total Interest Expense                                                           $115                                    $97                                                                           $420        $390






     (1) Results of operations have been restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07.




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


                                                                                                          
              contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.


                                                         
              CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


                                                           
              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                   
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                                                        
              (Unaudited)






                                                                                           
              December 31,                
     December 31,


                                                                                                                    2018                            2017







                                                                   ASSETS



     
                Current Assets:



       Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                 $4,231                            $260



       Other current assets                                                                                       2,794                           3,135



           Total current assets                                                                                   7,025                           3,395





                   Property, Plant and Equipment, net                                                             14,044                          13,057






     
                Other Assets:



       Goodwill                                                                                                     867                             867



       Regulatory assets                                                                                          1,967                           2,347


        Investment in unconsolidated affiliate                                                                     2,482                           2,472


        Preferred units -unconsolidated affiliate                                                                    363                             363



       Other non-current assets                                                                                     261                             235



           Total other assets                                                                                     5,940                           6,284



     
                        Total Assets                                                                          $27,009                         $22,736





                                            LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY





     
                Current Liabilities:



       Short-term borrowings                                                           
              $                   -                            $39


        Current portion of securitization bonds long-
         term debt                                                                                                   458                             434



       Indexed debt                                                                                                  24                             122


        Current portion of other long-term debt                                                                                                      50



       Other current liabilities                                                                                  2,820                           2,424



           Total current liabilities                                                                              3,302                           3,069






     
                Other Liabilities:


        Accumulated deferred income taxes, net                                                                     3,239                           3,174



       Regulatory liabilities                                                                                     2,525                           2,464



       Other non-current liabilities                                                                              1,203                           1,146



           Total other liabilities                                                                                6,967                           6,784






     
                Long-term Debt:



       Securitization bonds                                                                                         977                           1,434



       Other                                                                                                      7,705                           6,761



           Total long-term debt                                                                                   8,682                           8,195






     
                Shareholders' Equity                                                                            8,058                           4,688


                         Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                              $27,009                         $22,736













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


                                          
              contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.


                 
              CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries


              
              Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows


                           
              (Millions of Dollars)


                                
              (Unaudited)








                                                                             Year Ended December 31,



                                                                            2018                     
     2017 (1)

                                                                                                           ---




     
                Cash Flows from Operating Activities:



       Net income                                                          $368                         $1,792


        Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
         operating activities:


      Depreciation and amortization                                        1,291                          1,060


      Deferred income taxes                                                   48                          (770)


      Write-down of natural gas
       inventory                                                               2


      Equity in earnings of
       unconsolidated affiliate,
       net of distributions                                                 (40)                         (265)


      Changes in net regulatory
       assets                                                                 28                          (107)


      Changes in other assets and
       liabilities                                                           427                          (317)



     Other, net                                                              12                             24


                   Net Cash Provided by
                    Operating Activities                                   2,136                          1,417




                   Net Cash Used in Investing
                    Activities                                           (1,207)                       (1,257)




                   Net Cash Provided by (Used
                    in) Financing Activities                               3,053                          (245)

                                                                                                           ---



                   Net Increase (Decrease) in
                    Cash, Cash Equivalents and
                    Restricted Cash                                        3,982                           (85)




                   Cash, Cash Equivalents and
                    Restricted Cash at Beginning
                    of Period                                                296                            381




                   Cash, Cash Equivalents and
                    Restricted Cash at End of
                    Period                                                $4,278                           $296








     (1) Restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 and 2016-18.

For more information contact
Media:
Alicia Dixon

Phone 713.825.9107
Investors:
David Mordy
Phone 713.207.6500

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.