10-KPeriod: FY2023

CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2023

Filed February 20, 2024For Securities:CNP

Summary

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) operates as a public utility holding company with significant investments in electric transmission, distribution, and generation, as well as natural gas distribution. The company's primary operating subsidiaries are Houston Electric and CERC Corp., serving a broad customer base across multiple states. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, CenterPoint Energy reported a decrease in income available to common shareholders, primarily due to increased borrowing costs and the absence of one-time gains realized in the prior year, such as the sale of Energy Transfer equity securities. Despite this, the company continued to invest heavily in its infrastructure, with capital expenditures of approximately $4.4 billion in 2023, focusing on system resiliency, reliability, and grid modernization. A notable event in the reporting period was the sale of its Energy Systems Group business, aligning with its strategy to focus on core regulated utility operations. The company also announced a subsequent agreement to sell its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas distribution businesses, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, which will further refine its operational footprint. CenterPoint Energy is navigating a dynamic regulatory and economic environment, including rising interest rates and inflation, which could impact its ability to execute its capital plan and influence regulatory decisions on cost recovery. The company remains committed to its long-term strategic goals, including net-zero emissions targets by 2035, and continues to adapt its business strategy to evolving energy landscapes and investor expectations.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$8.70B
Cost of Revenue$99.00M
Gross Profit$8.60B
Operating Expenses$6.94B
Operating Income$1.76B
Net Income$917.00M
EPS (Basic)$1.37
EPS (Diluted)$1.37
Shares Outstanding (Basic)630.95M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)633.18M

Key Highlights

  • 1CenterPoint Energy reported income available to common shareholders of $867 million for 2023, a decrease from $1,008 million in 2022, primarily impacted by increased borrowing costs and the absence of prior-year gains.
  • 2The company's capital expenditures totaled approximately $4.4 billion in 2023, with a significant portion allocated to electric and natural gas infrastructure modernization and resilience, as part of its updated 10-year capital plan of nearly $44 billion through 2030.
  • 3CenterPoint Energy divested its Energy Systems Group business in June 2023, as part of its ongoing strategy to focus on core regulated utility operations.
  • 4Subsequent to year-end, on February 19, 2024, the company entered into an agreement to sell its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas local distribution companies for $1.2 billion, expected to close in Q1 2025.
  • 5The company's operations are heavily regulated, with significant reliance on rate adjustments and regulatory approvals for cost recovery, influencing its financial performance and capital investment recovery.
  • 6CenterPoint Energy continues to pursue environmental sustainability goals, including net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 emissions by 2035.
  • 7The company managed its liquidity effectively, ending 2023 with $109 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, and maintained compliance with its financial covenants under its credit facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, CenterPoint Energy reported income available to common shareholders of $867 million, a decrease from $1,008 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily attributed to higher borrowing costs and the absence of one-time gains recognized in 2022.

Key strategic initiatives and events include the sale of its Energy Systems Group business, a continued focus on its core regulated utility operations, and significant investments in infrastructure upgrades. Post-year-end, the company announced the pending sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas businesses, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, which will further streamline its business focus.

CenterPoint Energy is funding its capital expenditures through internally generated cash, borrowings under credit facilities, proceeds from strategic transactions, and capital markets issuances. The company has an updated 10-year capital plan of nearly $44 billion through 2030, primarily focused on enhancing system resiliency, reliability, and grid modernization, with ongoing investments in cleaner energy initiatives.

CenterPoint Energy faces risks related to regulatory changes, interest rate fluctuations, inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and the potential impacts of severe weather events on its operations and infrastructure. The company's regulated nature means that recovery of capital investments and operating costs is subject to regulatory approvals, which can introduce timing and execution risks.