10-KPeriod: FY2016

CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2016

Filed February 28, 2017For Securities:CNP

Summary

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) filed its 2016 10-K, reporting a net income of $432 million, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $692 million in 2015. This recovery was largely driven by a substantial $1.84 billion increase in equity earnings from its investment in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, which had been negatively impacted by a large impairment charge in the prior year. The company's core utility operations, particularly Houston Electric (electric transmission and distribution) and CERC Corp. (natural gas distribution), demonstrated resilience, with operating income increasing year-over-year, supported by customer growth and rate adjustments. The company's financial position remains robust, with total assets of $21.8 billion and a manageable debt-to-capitalization ratio. CNP's capital expenditure plan for 2017 is projected at $1.5 billion, primarily focused on infrastructure upgrades and expansions within its electric and natural gas segments. Liquidity is supported by its credit facilities and commercial paper programs. Investors should note the significant non-cash impairment charge related to Enable in 2015 and the ongoing regulatory environment for its utility businesses as key factors influencing future performance.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$7.53B
Cost of Revenue$1.98B
Gross Profit$5.54B
Operating Expenses$6.50B
Operating Income$1.02B
Net Income$432.00M
EPS (Basic)$1.00
EPS (Diluted)$1.00
Shares Outstanding (Basic)430.61M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)433.60M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income rebounded to $432 million in 2016 from a net loss of $692 million in 2015, primarily due to a significant recovery in equity earnings from Enable Midstream Partners, LP.
  • 2Houston Electric (Electric T&D) and CERC Corp. (Gas Distribution) showed improved operating income, driven by customer growth and regulatory rate increases.
  • 3Total assets stood at $21.8 billion at the end of 2016, with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 71% (excluding securitization bonds).
  • 4Capital expenditures for 2017 are projected at $1.5 billion, focusing on infrastructure improvements in regulated utility segments.
  • 5The company repurchased no equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2016.
  • 6CenterPoint Energy's Energy Services segment experienced a decrease in operating income, partly due to mark-to-market accounting for derivatives, but also saw growth from acquisitions.
  • 7The company successfully negotiated new collective bargaining agreements, mitigating potential labor disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

CenterPoint Energy reported a net income of $432 million in 2016, a significant improvement from a net loss of $692 million in 2015. This turnaround was primarily driven by a substantial increase in equity earnings from its investment in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, which had experienced a significant impairment charge in 2015.

The Electric Transmission & Distribution segment (Houston Electric) and the Natural Gas Distribution segment (CERC Corp.) both saw an increase in operating income. This growth was supported by customer growth and the positive impact of rate increases implemented to recover capital investments and operational costs.

CenterPoint Energy anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $1.5 billion for 2017, primarily directed towards maintaining and expanding its electric and natural gas infrastructure. The company expects to fund these expenditures through a combination of internally generated cash flows, borrowings under its credit facilities, commercial paper programs, and potential debt issuances.

Key risks include the potential for rate regulation to delay or deny cost recovery, disruptions at third-party power generation facilities impacting electric services, seasonality affecting revenues, potential issues with the Advanced Metering System, credit risk concentration from Retail Electric Providers (REPs), fluctuations in natural gas prices, environmental regulations, and the performance of its investment in Enable Midstream Partners, LP.