Highlights

  • Third quarter 2026 net income was $331 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, against $293 million, or $0.45.
  • In October 2026 the company announced a $4 billion increase to its 10-year capital plan, to approximately $70.7 billion through 2035.
  • The sale of the Ohio natural gas business closed on October 1, 2026 for $2.62 billion, including a $1.20 billion promissory note.
  • Management said on its call that it expects 2026 non-GAAP EPS of $1.90 to $1.92 and 2027 non-GAAP EPS of $2.07 to $2.09.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) shares were trading at USD 41.36 on October 27, 2026, up 0.38%, with a relative volume at time of 2.90. The utility holding company completed the sale of its Ohio natural gas distribution business on October 1, 2026, announced a larger 10-year capital plan in October 2026, and filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 on October 27, 2026.

CenterPoint Energy is a Texas corporation with principal executive offices at 1111 Louisiana in Houston. It is a public utility holding company whose operating subsidiaries own and operate electric transmission, distribution and generation facilities and natural gas distribution systems. It reports Electric, Natural Gas, and Corporate and Other segments. The 10-Q is a combined filing with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Its fiscal year ends December 31, and the 10-Q does not state a headcount.

Third Quarter Results

Total revenues were $2,191 million for the three months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $1,988 million. Operating income was $667 million, compared with $502 million. Net income was $331 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared with $293 million, or $0.45. For the nine months, net income was $891 million, or $1.34 per diluted share.

By segment, Electric net income was $362 million, compared with $293 million. Natural Gas net income was $44 million, compared with $71 million. Corporate and Other had a net loss of $75 million, compared with $71 million. Interest expense and other finance charges were $259 million, compared with $238 million, and income tax expense was $82 million, compared with a benefit of $7 million.

On the call, management reported third quarter non-GAAP EPS of $0.53.

Capital, Cash Flow and Financing

Cash provided by operating activities was $2,051 million for the nine months, compared with $1,712 million. Cash used in investing activities was $3,731 million, compared with $2,602 million.

The company completed the sale of its Ohio natural gas LDC business on October 1, 2026 for $2.62 billion, made up of $1.42 billion in cash, subject to adjustments, and a $1.20 billion promissory note bearing interest at 6.50% that matures on September 30, 2027. The company will recognize the financial impact in the fourth quarter and said it cannot yet be reasonably estimated. On October 6, 2026 CERC repaid $500 million of its $800 million term loan. The company entered a $1 billion at-the-market equity distribution agreement on May 15, 2026.

Houston Electric Load and Regulatory Items

Houston Electric originally submitted approximately 14 gigawatts of demand related to potential large-load customers into ERCOT's Batch Zero process. It estimates that 10 gigawatts of base load demand and approximately two gigawatts of studied load remain. The company said the amount connected and the timing remain uncertain. In the third quarter, customers provided approximately $290 million in contributions in aid of construction and approximately $600 million in financial security. On the call, management said approximately 2 gigawatts of studied load were withdrawn by customers during the ERCOT audit process.

In a pending proceeding on temporary emergency electric energy facilities, the current revenue requirement would be reduced by $112 million if approved.

Outlook

The company announced a $4 billion increase to its 10-year capital plan in October 2026, for total planned capital expenditures of approximately $70.7 billion through 2035. On the call, management said it raised 2026 non-GAAP EPS guidance to a range of $1.90 to $1.92 from $1.89 to $1.91, and initiated 2027 non-GAAP EPS guidance of $2.07 to $2.09. It said it expects non-GAAP EPS growth at the mid to high end of a 7% to 9% annual range through 2030. Management also said it plans a $1.6 billion increase in equity financing to fund 40% of the capital plan increase.