HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --


    --  Company reiterates 2017 EPS guidance of $1.25 - $1.33. Earnings growth
        driven by
        --  Utility rate relief and continued customer growth,
        --  Increased contribution from CenterPoint Energy Services, partially
            attributable to recent acquisitions, and
        --  Increased earnings per Enable Midstream Partners' forecast, as
            provided on Enable's fourth quarter 2016 earnings call,
    --  Company targets upper end of 4-6% earnings growth range for 2018

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported full-year 2016 net income of $432 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $692 million, or a loss of $1.61 per diluted share in 2015. This loss included pre-tax impairment charges taken during 2015 totaling $1,846 million, related to midstream investments.

On a guidance basis, full-year 2016 earnings were $1.16 per diluted share, consisting of $0.88 from utility operations and $0.28 from midstream investments. Full-year 2015 earnings on a guidance basis were $1.10 per diluted share, consisting of $0.79 from utility operations and $0.31 from midstream investments.

Fourth quarter 2016 earnings were $0.23 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.18 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015. This loss included pre-tax impairment charges totaling $984 million related to midstream investments. On a guidance basis, fourth quarter 2016 earnings were $0.26 per diluted share, compared to fourth quarter 2015 earnings of $0.27 per diluted share.

"I am very pleased with our performance in 2016. We had solid results and delivered more than 5 percent year-over-year EPS growth on a guidance basis," said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "We continue to see notably strong customer growth across our service territory, including more than 2 percent customer growth in and around the Houston area."

Business Segments

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported full-year 2016 operating income of $628 million, consisting of $537 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $91 million related to securitization bonds.Operating income for the same period of 2015 was $607 million, consisting of $502 million from the TDU and $105 million related to securitization bonds.

Full-year 2016 operating income for the TDU benefited from rate relief, customer growth with the addition of over 54,000 customers, as well as higher equity return, primarily due to true-up proceeds. These increases were partially offset by higher depreciation, higher O&M expenses and lower right of way revenues.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported full-year 2016 operating income of $303 million compared with $273 million in 2015.

Full-year 2016 operating income for natural gas distribution improved as a result of rate relief, lower bad debt expense and customer growth with the addition of more than 35,000 customers. This improvement was partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization, increased labor and benefits expenses and increased contract services expenses.

Energy Services

The energy services segment reported full-year 2016 operating income of $20 million, which included a mark-to-market loss of $21 million, compared with $42 million in 2015, which included a mark-to-market gain of $4 million. Excluding mark-to-market adjustments, operating income was $41 million in 2016 and $38 million in 2015.

Midstream Investments

The midstream investments segment reported full-year 2016 equity income of $208 million, compared to a loss of $1,633 million in 2015, which included the impairment charges noted above. The impairments in 2015 were partially offset by full-year earnings of $213 million.

Earnings Outlook

CenterPoint Energy expects earnings on a guidance basis for 2017 in the range of $1.25 - $1.33 per diluted share. This guidance includes anticipated utility operations earnings of $0.93 - $0.97 per diluted share and anticipated midstream investment earnings of $0.31 - $0.37 per diluted share.

The utility operations guidance range considers 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 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, 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.

In providing guidance for midstream investments, the company assumes a 54.1 percent limited partner ownership interest in Enable Midstream and includes the amortization of CenterPoint Energy's basis differential in Enable Midstream. CenterPoint Energy's guidance takes into account such factors as Enable Midstream's most recent public outlook for 2017 dated Feb. 21, 2017, 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 (Loss) and

                                 Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS used in providing annual earnings guidance


                                    Twelve Months Ended
                                   -------------------

                              December 31, 2016                              December 31, 2015
                              -----------------                             -----------------

                                  Net Income                                    Diluted EPS                                  Net Income          Diluted EPS
                                (in millions)                                                                              (in millions)
                                ------------                                                                               ------------


    Consolidated as
     reported                                     $432                                          $1.00                                     $(692)             $(1.61)

       Midstream Investments                     (121)                                        (0.28)                                     1,024                 2.38

       Utility Operations (1)                      311                                           0.72                                        332                 0.77
                                                   ---                                           ----                                        ---                 ----


    Loss on impairment of
     Midstream
     Investments:

       CenterPoint's
        impairment of its
        investment in Enable
        (net of taxes of
        $456)(3)                                     -                                             -                                       769                 1.79

       CenterPoint's share of
        Enable's impairment
        of its goodwill and
        long-lived assets
        (net of taxes of
        $233)(3)                                     -                                             -                                       388                 0.90

       Total loss on
        impairment                                   -                                             -                                     1,157                 2.69


    Midstream Investments
     excluding loss on
     impairment                                    121                                           0.28                                        133                 0.31
                                                   ---                                           ----                                        ---                 ----


    Consolidated excluding
     loss on impairment                            432                                           1.00                                        465                 1.08
                                                   ---                                           ----                                        ---                 ----


    Timing effects
     impacting CES(2):

       Mark-to-market
        (gains) losses (net
        of taxes of $8 and
        $2)(3)                                      13                                           0.03                                        (2)              (0.01)


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

       Marketable securities
        (net of taxes of $114
        and $33) (3)(4)                          (212)                                        (0.49)                                        60                 0.14

       Indexed debt
        securities (net of
        taxes of $145 and
        $26) (3)(5)                                268                                           0.62                                       (48)              (0.11)

    Utility operations
     earnings on an
     adjusted guidance
     basis                                        $380                                          $0.88                                       $342                $0.79
                                                  ----                                          -----                                       ----                -----


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

       Utility Operations on
        a guidance basis                          $380                                          $0.88                                       $342                $0.79

       Midstream Investments
        excluding loss on
        impairment                                 121                                           0.28                                        133                 0.31

    Consolidated on a
     guidance basis                               $501                                          $1.16                                       $475                $1.10
                                                  ====                                          =====                                       ====                =====



                    CenterPoint
                     earnings
                     excluding
                     Midstream
    (1)              Investments

    (2)              Energy Services
                     segment

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

    (4)              As of May 18,
                     2016, comprised
                     of Time Warner
                     Inc., Charter
                     Communications,
                     Inc. and Time
                     Inc.  Prior to
                     May 18, 2016,
                     comprised of
                     Time Warner
                     Inc., Time
                     Warner Cable
                     Inc. and Time
                     Inc. Results
                     prior to June
                     23, 2015 also
                     included AOL
                     Inc.

    (5)              2016 includes
                     amount
                     associated with
                     the Charter
                     Communications,
                     Inc. and Time
                     Warner Cable
                     Inc. merger
                     2015 includes
                     amount
                     associated with
                     Verizon tender
                     offer for AOL,
                     Inc common
                     stock



                                            CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) and

                                  Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS used in providing annual earnings guidance


                                       Quarter Ended
                                      -------------

                              December 31, 2016                              December 31, 2015
                              -----------------                              -----------------

                                  Net Income                                    Diluted EPS                                   Net Income         Diluted EPS
                                (in millions)                                                                               (in millions)
                                ------------                                                                                ------------


    Consolidated as
     reported                                     $101                                           $0.23                                    $(509)             $(1.18)

       Midstream Investments                      (25)                                         (0.06)                                      589                 1.37

       Utility Operations (1)                       76                                            0.17                                        80                 0.19
                                                   ---                                            ----                                       ---                 ----


    Loss on impairment of
     Midstream
     Investments:

       CenterPoint's
        impairment of its
        investment in Enable
        (net of taxes of
        $362)(3)                                     -                                              -                                      613                 1.43

       CenterPoint's share of
        Enable's impairment
        of its goodwill and
        long-lived assets
        (net of taxes of
        $2)(3)                                       -                                              -                                        7                 0.01

       Total loss on
        impairment                                   -                                              -                                      620                 1.44


    Midstream Investments
     excluding loss on
     impairment                                     25                                            0.06                                        31                 0.07
                                                   ---                                            ----                                       ---                 ----


    Consolidated excluding
     loss on impairment                            101                                            0.23                                       111                 0.26
                                                   ---                                            ----                                       ---                 ----


    Timing effects
     impacting CES(2):

       Mark-to-market
        (gains) losses (net
        of taxes of $1)(3)                           2                                            0.01                                         -                   -


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

       Marketable securities
        (net of taxes of $49
        and $8) (3)(4)                            (90)                                         (0.21)                                       13                 0.03

       Indexed debt
        securities (net of
        taxes of $55 and $4)
        (3)                                       100                                            0.23                                       (8)              (0.02)

    Utility operations
     earnings on an
     adjusted guidance
     basis                                         $88                                           $0.20                                       $85                $0.20
                                                   ---                                           -----                                       ---                -----


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

       Utility Operations on
        a guidance basis                           $88                                           $0.20                                       $85                $0.20

       Midstream Investments
        excluding loss on
        impairment                                  25                                            0.06                                        31                 0.07

    Consolidated on a
     guidance basis                               $113                                           $0.26                                      $116                $0.27
                                                  ====                                           =====                                      ====                =====



                   CenterPoint
                    earnings
                    excluding
                    Midstream
    (1)             Investments

    (2)             Energy Services
                    segment

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

    (4)             As of May 18,
                    2016, comprised
                    of Time Warner
                    Inc., Charter
                    Communications,
                    Inc. and Time
                    Inc.  Prior to
                    May 18, 2016,
                    comprised of
                    Time Warner
                    Inc., Time
                    Warner Cable
                    Inc. and Time
                    Inc.

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 year ended December 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 Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Central time or 11:00 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.

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 54.1 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 7,700 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 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, 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 by CenterPoint Energy in Providing Guidance

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including presentation of net income and diluted earnings per share, CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted net 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 net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share calculation excludes from net income and diluted earnings per share, respectively, the impact of ZENS and related securities, mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business and adjustments for impairment charges. 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, mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business and impairment charges are not estimable.

Management evaluates the company's financial performance in part based on adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. We believe 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 net 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, net income 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.

For more information contact
Media:
Leticia Lowe

Phone 713.207.7702
Investors:
David Mordy
Phone 713.207.6500



                                                             CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                 Statements of Consolidated Income

                                                                       (Millions of Dollars)

                                                                            (Unaudited)



                                          Quarter Ended                           Year Ended

                                          December 31,                           December 31,
                                          ------------                           ------------

                                                        2016                                    2015                2016       2015
                                                        ----                                    ----                ----       ----



    Revenues:

    Utility revenues                                  $1,437                                  $1,346              $5,440     $5,448

    Non-utility revenues                                 644                                     445               2,088      1,938

    Total                                              2,081                                   1,791               7,528      7,386
                                                       -----                                   -----               -----      -----


    Expenses:

    Utility natural gas                                  320                                     277                 983      1,264

    Non-utility natural gas                              615                                     415               1,983      1,838

    Operation and maintenance                            554                                     542               2,093      2,007

    Depreciation and amortization                        253                                     246               1,126        970

    Taxes other than income taxes                         96                                      85                 384        374

    Total                                              1,838                                   1,565               6,569      6,453
                                                       -----                                   -----               -----      -----

    Operating Income                                     243                                     226                 959        933
                                                         ---                                     ---                 ---        ---


    Other Income (Expense):

    Gain (loss) on marketable securities                 139                                    (21)                326       (93)

    Gain (loss) on indexed debt
     securities                                        (155)                                     12               (413)        74

    Interest and other finance charges                  (82)                                   (86)              (338)     (352)

    Interest on securitization bonds                    (21)                                   (25)               (91)     (105)

    Equity in earnings (losses) of
     unconsolidated affiliate                             44                                   (934)                208    (1,633)

    Other - net                                          (6)                                     10                  35         46
                                                                                                                   ---        ---

    Total                                               (81)                                (1,044)              (273)   (2,063)
                                                         ---                                  ------                ----     ------


    Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                    162                                   (818)                686    (1,130)


    Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                          61                                   (309)                254      (438)
                                                         ---                                    ----                 ---       ----


    Net Income (Loss)                                   $101                                  $(509)               $432     $(692)
                                                        ====                                   =====                ====      =====






                                         Reference is made to the 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,
                                                     ------------                              ------------

                                                                    2016                                       2015            2016     2015
                                                                    ----                                       ----            ----     ----



    Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share                         $0.23                                    $(1.18)          $1.00  $(1.61)
                                                                   =====                                     ======           =====   ======


    Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share                       $0.23                                    $(1.18)          $1.00  $(1.61)
                                                                   =====                                     ======           =====   ======


    Dividends Declared per Common Share                          $0.2575                                    $0.2475          1.0300  $0.9900


         Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
          (000):

     - Basic                                                     430,682                                    430,262         430,606  430,180

     - Diluted                                                   433,679                                    430,262         433,603  430,180



    Operating Income by Segment
    ---------------------------


    Electric Transmission & Distribution:

    TDU                                                             $109                                        $84            $537     $502

    Bond Companies                                                    21                                         25              91      105

    Total Electric Transmission & Distribution                       130                                        109             628      607

    Natural Gas Distribution                                         101                                         97             303      273

    Energy Services                                                    9                                         13              20       42

    Other Operations                                                   3                                          7               8       11


    Total                                                           $243                                       $226            $959     $933
                                                                    ====                                       ====            ====     ====






                                                    Reference is made to the 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
                                               ------------                                                                                       ------------

                                                                  2016                                                2015                           Fav/(Unfav)                        2016       2015 Fav/(Unfav)
                                                                  ----                                                ----                           -----------                        ----       ---- -----------

    Results of Operations:

    Revenues:

    TDU                                                           $626                                                $582                                             8%             $2,507     $2,364                   6%

    Bond Companies                                                 103                                                 119                                          (13%)                553        481                  15%
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                               ---        ---

    Total                                                          729                                                 701                                             4%              3,060      2,845                   8%
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                             -----      -----


    Expenses:

    Operation and maintenance, excluding Bond
     Companies                                                     360                                                 356                                           (1%)              1,355      1,300                 (4%)

    Depreciation and amortization, excluding
     Bond Companies                                                 99                                                  87                                          (14%)                384        340                (13%)

    Taxes other than income taxes                                   58                                                  55                                           (5%)                231        222                 (4%)

    Bond Companies                                                  82                                                  94                                            13%                462        376                (23%)
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                               ---        ---

    Total                                                          599                                                 592                                           (1%)              2,432      2,238                 (9%)
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                             -----      -----

    Operating Income                                              $130                                                $109                                            19%               $628       $607                   3%
                                                                  ====                                                ====                                                              ====       ====


    Operating Income:

    TDU                                                           $109                                                 $84                                            30%               $537       $502                   7%

    Bond Companies                                                  21                                                  25                                          (16%)                 91        105                (13%)
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                               ---        ---

    Total Segment Operating Income                                $130                                                $109                                            19%               $628       $607                   3%
                                                                  ====                                                ====                                                              ====       ====


    Electric Transmission & Distribution
     Operating Data:

    Actual MWH Delivered

    Residential                                              6,159,687                                           5,711,032                                             8%         29,586,399 28,995,001                   2%

    Total                                                   19,990,319                                          18,812,439                                             6%         86,828,902 84,190,647                   3%


    Weather (average for service area):

    Percentage of 10-year average:

    Cooling degree days                                           200%                                               118%                                           82%               112%      101%                 11%

    Heating degree days                                            25%                                                61%                                         (36%)                61%      102%               (41%)


    Number of metered customers -end of
     period:

    Residential                                              2,129,773                                           2,079,899                                             2%          2,129,773  2,079,899                   2%

    Total                                                    2,403,340                                           2,348,517                                             2%          2,403,340  2,348,517                   2%



                                                                      Natural Gas Distribution
                                                                      ------------------------

                                              Quarter Ended                                                                                        Year Ended

                                               December 31,                                          % Diff                                       December 31,             % Diff
                                               ------------                                                                                       ------------

                                                                  2016                                                2015                           Fav/(Unfav)                        2016       2015 Fav/(Unfav)
                                                                  ----                                                ----                           -----------                        ----       ---- -----------

    Results of Operations:

    Revenues                                                      $716                                                $653                                            10%             $2,409     $2,632                 (8%)

    Natural gas                                                    329                                                 283                                          (16%)              1,008      1,297                  22%
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                             -----      -----

       Gross Margin                                                387                                                 370                                             5%              1,401      1,335                   5%
                                                                   ---                                                 ---                                                             -----      -----

    Expenses:

      Operation and maintenance                                    188                                                 187                                           (1%)                714        697                 (2%)

      Depreciation and amortization                                 62                                                  57                                           (9%)                242        222                 (9%)

      Taxes other than income taxes                                 36                                                  29                                          (24%)                142        143                   1%

    Total                                                          286                                                 273                                           (5%)              1,098      1,062                 (3%)

    Operating Income                                              $101                                                 $97                                             4%               $303       $273                  11%
                                                                  ====                                                 ===                                                              ====       ====


    Natural Gas Distribution Operating Data:

    Throughput data in BCF

    Residential                                                     47                                                  43                                             9%                152        171                (11%)

    Commercial and Industrial                                       66                                                  66                                              -                259        262                 (1%)

    Total Throughput                                               113                                                 109                                             4%                411        433                 (5%)
                                                                   ===                                                 ===                                                               ===        ===


    Weather (average for service area)

    Percentage of 10-year average:

    Heating degree days                                            80%                                                73%                                            7%                84%       95%               (11%)


    Number of customers - end of period:

    Residential                                              3,183,538                                           3,149,845                                             1%          3,183,538  3,149,845                   1%

    Commercial and Industrial                                  255,806                                             253,921                                             1%            255,806    253,921                   1%

    Total                                                    3,439,344                                           3,403,766                                             1%          3,439,344  3,403,766                   1%
                                                             =========                                           =========                                                         =========  =========






                                                                                                   Reference is made to the 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
                                         ------------                                                                   ------------

                                                        2016                               2015                            Fav/(Unfav)                            2016    2015 Fav/(Unfav)
                                                        ----                               ----                            -----------                            ----    ---- -----------

    Results of Operations:

    Revenues                                            $649                               $447                                             45%                 $2,099  $1,957                   7%

    Natural gas                                          622                                422                                           (47%)                  2,011   1,867                 (8%)
                                                         ---                                ---                                                                  -----   -----

       Gross Margin                                       27                                 25                                              8%                     88      90                 (2%)
                                                         ---                                ---                                                                    ---     ---

    Expenses:

    Operation and maintenance                             16                                 10                                           (60%)                     59      42                (40%)

    Depreciation and amortization                          2                                  2                                               -                      7       5                (40%)

    Taxes other than income taxes                          -                                 -                                              -                      2       1               (100%)

    Total                                                 18                                 12                                           (50%)                     68      48                (42%)

    Operating Income                                      $9                                $13                                           (31%)                    $20     $42                (52%)
                                                         ===                                ===                                                                    ===     ===


    Mark-to-market gain (loss)                          $(3)                                $1                                          (400%)                  $(21)     $4               (625%)
                                                         ===                                ===                                                                   ====     ===


    Energy Services Operating Data:

    Throughput data in BCF                               207                                159                                             30%                    777     618                  26%
                                                         ===                                ===                                                                    ===     ===


    Number of customers - end of period               30,332                             18,099                                             68%                 30,332  18,099                  68%
                                                      ======                             ======                                                                 ======  ======



                                                             Other Operations
                                                             ----------------

                                         Quarter Ended                                                                   Year Ended

                                         December 31,                         % Diff                                    December 31,                     % Diff
                                         ------------                                                                   ------------

                                                        2016                               2015                            Fav/(Unfav)                            2016    2015 Fav/(Unfav)
                                                        ----                               ----                            -----------                            ----    ---- -----------

    Results of Operations:

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

    Expenses (income)                                      1                                (4)                                         (125%)                      7       3               (133%)

    Operating Income                                      $3                                 $7                                           (57%)                     $8     $11                (27%)
                                                         ===                                ===                                                                    ===     ===


                                                                                                     Capital Expenditures by Segment

                                                                                                          (Millions of Dollars)

                                                                                                               (Unaudited)


                                         Quarter Ended                                                                   Year Ended

                                         December 31,                                                                   December 31,
                                         ------------                                                                   ------------

                                                        2016                               2015                                                                   2016    2015
                                                        ----                               ----                                                                   ----    ----

    Capital Expenditures by Segment

    Electric Transmission & Distribution                $220                               $269                                                                   $858    $934

    Natural Gas Distribution                             139                                185                                                                    510     601

    Energy Services                                        2                                  1                                                                      5       5

    Other Operations                                      17                                  6                                                                     33      35

    Total                                               $378                               $461                                                                 $1,406  $1,575
                                                        ====                               ====                                                                 ======  ======


                                                                                                         Interest Expense Detail

                                                                                                          (Millions of Dollars)

                                                                                                               (Unaudited)


                                         Quarter Ended                                                                   Year Ended

                                         December 31,                                                                   December 31,
                                         ------------                                                                   ------------

                                                        2016                               2015                                                                   2016    2015
                                                        ----                               ----                                                                   ----    ----

    Interest Expense Detail

    Amortization of Deferred Financing
     Cost                                                 $6                                 $6                                                                    $24     $25

    Capitalization of Interest Cost                      (3)                               (3)                                                                   (8)   (10)

    Transition and System Restoration
     Bond Interest Expense                                21                                 25                                                                     91     105

    Other Interest Expense                                79                                 83                                                                    322     337

    Total Interest Expense                              $103                               $111                                                                   $429    $457
                                                        ====                               ====                                                                   ====    ====






                                                                                 Reference is made to the 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,

                                                                                                  2016                          2015
                                                                                                  ----                          ----



                                                     ASSETS

    Current Assets:

      Cash and cash equivalents                                                                   $341                          $264

      Other current assets                                                                       2,582                         2,425

          Total current assets                                                                   2,923                         2,689
                                                                                                 -----                         -----


    Property, Plant and Equipment, net                                                          12,307                        11,537
                                                                                                ------                        ------


    Other Assets:

      Goodwill                                                                                     862                           840

      Regulatory assets                                                                          2,677                         3,129

      Investment in unconsolidated affiliate                                                     2,505                         2,594

      Preferred units -unconsolidated affiliate                                                    363                             -

      Other non-current assets                                                                     192                           501

          Total other assets                                                                     6,599                         7,064

            Total Assets                                                                       $21,829                       $21,290
                                                                                               =======                       =======


                              LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


    Current Liabilities:

      Short-term borrowings                                                                        $35                           $40

      Current portion of securitization bonds long-
       term debt                                                                                   411                           391

      Indexed debt                                                                                 114                           145

      Current portion of other long-term debt                                                      500                           328

      Other current liabilities                                                                  2,020                         1,554

          Total current liabilities                                                              3,080                         2,458
                                                                                                 -----                         -----


    Other Liabilities:

      Accumulated deferred income taxes, net                                                     5,263                         5,047

      Regulatory liabilities                                                                     1,298                         1,276

      Other non-current liabilities                                                              1,196                         1,182

          Total other liabilities                                                                7,757                         7,505
                                                                                                 -----                         -----


    Long-term Debt:

      Securitization bonds                                                                       1,867                         2,276

      Other                                                                                      5,665                         5,590

          Total long-term debt                                                                   7,532                         7,866
                                                                                                 -----                         -----


    Shareholders' Equity                                                                         3,460                         3,461

          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                           $21,829                       $21,290
                                                                                               =======                       =======






                                        Reference is made to the 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,
                                                           -----------------------

                                                                2016                   2015
                                                                ----                   ----


    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      Net income (loss)                                         $432                 $(692)

      Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
       cash provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and
     amortization                                              1,152                    997

    Deferred income taxes                                        213                  (413)

    Write-down of natural gas
     inventory                                                     1                      4

    Equity in (earnings) losses
     of unconsolidated
     affiliate, net of
     distributions                                             (208)                 1,779

    Changes in net regulatory
     assets                                                     (60)                    63

    Changes in other assets and
     liabilities                                                 353                    105

    Other, net                                                    45                     22

    Net Cash Provided by
     Operating Activities                                      1,928                  1,865


    Net Cash Used in Investing
     Activities                                              (1,046)               (1,387)


    Net Cash Used in Financing
     Activities                                                (805)                 (512)
                                                                ----                   ----


    Net Increase (Decrease) in
     Cash and Cash Equivalents                                    77                   (34)


    Cash and Cash Equivalents at
     Beginning of Period                                         264                    298


    Cash and Cash Equivalents at
     End of Period                                              $341                   $264
                                                                ====                   ====






    Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centerpoint-energy-reports-full-year-2016-earnings-of-100-per-diluted-share-116-per-diluted-share-on-a-guidance-basis-300414471.html

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.