CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO)
"I am pleased with the overall performance of our company during the first quarter of this year," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our electric and natural gas utilities reported strong results driven in part from a colder than normal winter, as well as control of operating expenses. Our interstate pipelines and field services businesses also performed well due primarily to increased revenues from investments in the mid-continent area. We continue to believe that our balanced portfolio of electric and natural gas businesses position us well as the economy recovers and the energy markets rebound."
OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT Electric Transmission & Distribution
The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $107 million for the first quarter of 2010, consisting of $71 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $36 million related to transition and system restoration bonds. Operating income for the first quarter of 2009 was $70 million, consisting of $37 million from the TDU and $33 million related to transition bonds. Operating income for the TDU benefited from increased energy usage partially due to colder winter weather, the addition of nearly 22,000 metered customers since March 2009 and higher net transmission revenues. Operation and maintenance expenses in 2010 were essentially unchanged from the previous year.
Natural Gas Distribution
The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $139 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $118 million for the same period of 2009. Operating income benefited from higher system throughput primarily due to colder winter weather in this segment's southern service territories, higher non-volumetric revenues and lower bad debt expense.
Interstate Pipelines
The interstate pipelines segment reported operating income of $72 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $69 million for the same period of 2009. Operating income increased due to higher revenue from firm contracts primarily associated with the Carthage to Perryville pipeline, partially offset by lower revenue from off-system sales.
In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $3 million for the first quarter of 2010 primarily from its 50 percent interest in the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) compared to an equity loss of $2 million for the first quarter of 2009, which included a non-cash charge of $5 million to reflect SESH's discontinued use of regulatory accounting.
Field Services
The field services segment reported operating income of $23 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $26 million for the same period of 2009. Revenue growth from higher gathering volumes, as well as higher liquids prices in this segment's processing business, were more than offset by the impact of lower natural gas prices and higher operating expenses primarily related to facility expansions.
In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $2 million in each of the first quarters of 2010 and 2009 from its 50 percent interest in a gas processing plant.
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services
The competitive natural gas sales and services segment reported operating income of $15 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $2 million for the same period of 2009. Operating income for the first quarter of 2010 included gains of $3 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain forward natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins compared to charges of $19 million for the same period of 2009. The first quarter of 2009 included a $6 million write-down of natural gas inventory to the lower of average cost or market. Operating income for 2010 was also impacted by reduced locational and seasonal price differentials.
DIVIDEND DECLARATION
On April 22, 2010, CenterPoint Energy's board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.195 per share of common stock payable on June 10, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2010.
OUTLOOK REAFFIRMED FOR 2010
CenterPoint Energy reaffirmed its 2010 earnings guidance of $1.02 to $1.12 per diluted share. This guidance takes into consideration performance to date as well as various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which the company operates. The company has made certain assumptions regarding the timing and cost of financing activities and the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings. In providing this guidance, the company has not included the impact of any changes in accounting standards, increased taxes resulting from recent health care legislation, any impact from acquisitions or divestitures, the timing effects of mark-to-market or inventory accounting in the company's competitive natural gas sales and services business, or the outcome of the TDU's true-up appeal. The company has also excluded any impact to income from the change in value of Time Warner stocks and the related ZENS securities. For the impact of these factors on first quarter 2010 earnings, see the attached reconciliation.
FILING OF FORM 10-Q FOR CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010. A copy of that report is available on the company's Web site, www.CenterPointEnergy.com, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and other documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found on that site.
WEBCAST OF EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
CenterPoint Energy's management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. Central time or 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call at www.CenterPointEnergy.com. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the Web site 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, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines, and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total over $19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.
This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this news release regarding future financial performance and results of operations and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the timing and outcome of appeals from the true-up proceedings, the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative, and IRS decisions, effects of competition, weather variations, changes in CenterPoint Energy's or its subsidiaries' business plans, financial market conditions, the timing and extent of changes in natural gas and natural gas liquids prices, the impact of unplanned facility outages, and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Forms 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, CenterPoint Energy's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010, and other filings with the SEC.
For more information contact
Media:
Leticia Lowe
Phone 713.207.7702
Investors:
Marianne Paulsen
Phone 713.207.6500
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of reported Net Income and diluted EPS to the basis
used in providing annual earnings guidance
First Quarter Ended March
31, 2010
-------------------------
Net Income EPS
---------- ---
(in
millions)
As reported $114 $0.29
Timing effects impacting CES(1):
Mark-to-market (gains) losses - natural
gas derivative contracts (2) (0.01)
Natural gas inventory write-downs - -
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains)
losses:
Marketable securities(2) (24) (0.06)
Indexed debt securities 18 0.05
Tax impact of federal health care
legislation 21 0.05
--- ----
Per the basis used in providing annual
earnings guidance $127 $0.32
==== =====
(1) Competitive natural gas sales and services
(2) Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. and AOL Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Statements of Consolidated Income
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
---------
2009 2010
---- ----
Revenues:
Electric Transmission & Distribution $412 $482
Natural Gas Distribution 1,421 1,537
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services 765 852
Interstate Pipelines 153 138
Field Services 57 68
Other Operations 3 3
Eliminations (45) (57)
Total 2,766 3,023
----- -----
Expenses:
Natural gas 1,789 1,935
Operation and maintenance 413 414
Depreciation and amortization 166 200
Taxes other than income taxes 113 117
Total 2,481 2,666
----- -----
Operating Income 285 357
--- ---
Other Income (Expense) :
Gain (loss) on marketable securities (34) 38
Gain (loss) on indexed debt securities 22 (27)
Interest and other finance charges (129) (122)
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds (33) (36)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates - 5
Other - net 4 1
Total (170) (141)
---- ----
Income Before Income Taxes 115 216
Income Tax Expense (48) (102)
--- ----
Net Income $67 $114
=== ====
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q 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
March 31,
---------
2009 2010
---- ----
Basic Earnings Per Common Share $0.19 $0.29
===== =====
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share $0.19 $0.29
===== =====
Dividends Declared per Common Share $0.190 $0.195
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000):
- Basic 347,496 392,855
- Diluted 349,157 395,078
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
----------------------------------
Electric Transmission & Distribution:
Electric Transmission and Distribution Operations $37 $71
Transition and System Restoration Bond Companies 33 36
Total Electric Transmission & Distribution 70 107
Natural Gas Distribution 118 139
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services 2 15
Interstate Pipelines 69 72
Field Services 26 23
Other Operations - 1
Total $285 $357
==== ====
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Electric Transmission &
Distribution
-----------------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
Fav/
2009 2010 (Unfav)
---- ---- --------
Results of Operations:
Revenues:
Electric transmission
and distribution
utility $346 $386 12%
Transition and system
restoration bond
companies 66 96 45%
--- ---
Total 412 482 17%
--- ---
Expenses:
Operation and
maintenance 188 190 (1%)
Depreciation and
amortization 68 73 (7%)
Taxes other than income
taxes 53 52 2%
Transition and system
restoration bond
companies 33 60 (82%)
---
Total 342 375 (10%)
--- ---
Operating Income $70 $107 53%
=== ====
Operating Income:
Electric transmission
and distribution
operations $37 $71 92%
Transition and system
restoration bond
companies 33 36 9%
---
Total Segment Operating
Income $70 $107 53%
=== ====
Electric Transmission &
Distribution
Operating Data:
Actual MWH Delivered
Residential 3,966,519 5,172,997 30%
Total 15,142,308 16,436,310 9%
Weather (average for
service area):
Percentage of 10-year
average:
Cooling degree days 120% 20%
Heating degree days 89% 163%
Number of metered
customers -end of
period:
Residential 1,838,766 1,858,403 1%
Total 2,082,930 2,104,786 1%
Natural Gas Distribution
------------------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
Fav/
2009 2010 (Unfav)
---- ---- --------
Results of Operations:
Revenues $1,421 $1,537 8%
------ ------
Expenses:
Natural gas 1,045 1,139 (9%)
Operation and maintenance 169 167 1%
Depreciation and
amortization 40 40 -
Taxes other than income
taxes 49 52 (6%)
Total 1,303 1,398 (7%)
Operating Income $118 $139 18%
==== ====
Natural Gas Distribution
Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Residential 78 96 23%
Commercial and Industrial 77 87 13%
Total Throughput 155 183 18%
Weather (average for
service area)
Percentage of 10-year
average:
Heating degree days 102% 117%
Number of customers -end
of period:
Residential 2,996,455 3,012,856 1%
Commercial and Industrial 246,405 246,676 -
Total 3,242,860 3,259,532 1%
===== =====
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Competitive Natural Gas Sales
and Services
-----------------------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
2009 2010 Fav/(Unfav)
---- ---- -----------
Results of Operations:
Revenues $765 $852 11%
---- ----
Expenses:
Natural gas 752 826 (10%)
Operation and maintenance 10 9 10%
Depreciation and amortization 1 1 -
Taxes other than income taxes - 1 -
Total 763 837 (10%)
Operating Income $2 $15 650%
=== ===
Competitive Natural Gas Sales
and Services Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF 141 141 -
=== ===
Number of customers -end of
period 10,862 11,369 5%
====== ======
Interstate Pipelines
--------------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
2009 2010 Fav/(Unfav)
---- ---- -----------
Results of Operations:
Revenues $153 $138 (10%)
---- ----
Expenses:
Natural gas 29 10 66%
Operation and maintenance 35 35 -
Depreciation and amortization 12 13 (8%)
Taxes other than income taxes 8 8 -
Total 84 66 21%
Operating Income $69 $72 4%
=== ===
Pipelines Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Transportation 467 438 (6%)
=== ===
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Field Services
--------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
Fav/
2009 2010 (Unfav)
---- ---- --------
Results of Operations:
Revenues $57 $68 19%
--- ---
Expenses:
Natural gas 7 16 (129%)
Operation and maintenance 19 21 (11%)
Depreciation and amortization 4 6 (50%)
Taxes other than income taxes 1 2 (100%)
Total 31 45 (45%)
Operating Income $26 $23 (12%)
=== ===
Field Services Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Gathering 104 128 23%
=== ===
Other Operations
----------------
Quarter Ended
March 31, % Diff
---------
Fav/
2009 2010 (Unfav)
---- ---- --------
Results of Operations:
Revenues $3 $3 -
Expenses 3 2 33%
Operating Income $- $1 -
=== ===
Capital Expenditures by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
---------
2009 2010
---- ----
Capital Expenditures by Segment
Electric Transmission & Distribution $81 $95
Hurricane Ike 16 -
--- ---
Total Electric Transmission &
Distribution 97 95
Natural Gas Distribution 34 29
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and
Services 1 -
Interstate Pipelines 47 8
Field Services 38 121
Other Operations 7 4
Total $224 $257
==== ====
Interest Expense Detail
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
---------
2009 2010
---- ----
Interest Expense Detail
Amortization of Deferred Financing Cost $9 $7
Capitalization of Interest Cost (2) (1)
Transition and System Restoration Bond Interest
Expense 33 36
Other Interest Expense 122 116
Total Interest Expense $162 $158
==== ====
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
December March
31, 31,
2009 2010
---- ----
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $740 $329
Other current assets 2,164 2,055
Total current assets 2,904 2,384
----- -----
Property, Plant and Equipment, net 10,788 10,928
------ ------
Other Assets:
Goodwill 1,696 1,696
Regulatory assets 3,677 3,619
Other non-current assets 708 724
Total other assets 6,081 6,039
Total Assets $19,773 $19,351
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings $55 $2
Current portion of transition and
system restoration bonds 241 274
long-term debt
Current portion of indexed debt 121 122
Current portion of other long-
term debt 541 776
Other current liabilities 2,080 2,028
Total current liabilities 3,038 3,202
----- -----
Other Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes,
net and investment tax credit 2,792 2,814
Regulatory liabilities 921 946
Other non-current liabilities 1,264 1,270
Total other liabilities 4,977 5,030
----- -----
Long-term Debt:
Transition and system restoration
bonds 2,805 2,665
Other 6,314 5,745
Total long-term debt 9,119 8,410
----- -----
Shareholders' Equity 2,639 2,709
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity $19,773 $19,351
======= =======
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2009 2010
---- ----
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income $67 $114
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 176 207
Deferred income taxes 30 (34)
Write-down of natural gas inventory 6 -
Changes in net regulatory assets 21 19
Changes in other assets and liabilities 132 127
Other, net 1 2
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 433 435
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (261) (303)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (274) (543)
---- ----
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (102) (411)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 167 740
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $65 $329
=== ====
Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: arlette.jarmon@centerpointenergy.com
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SOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Leticia Lowe, +1-713-207-7702, or Investors, Marianne
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Web Site: http://www.centerpointenergy.com/