tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Centerpoint Energy (CNP)
NYSE:CNP

Centerpoint Energy (CNP) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
969 Followers

Top Page

CN

Centerpoint Energy

(NYSE:CNP)

Rating:62Neutral
Price Target:
$38.00
▲(5.73%Upside)
Centerpoint Energy's overall stock score is driven by a stable financial performance with strong margins but hindered by cash flow challenges and high P/E valuation. Positive strategic developments and a favorable earnings call outlook provide some upside potential. However, technical indicators suggest caution due to bearish momentum.
Positive Factors
Capital Expenditure
Centerpoint Energy Inc is poised to detail at least $2Bn of incremental electric-transmission capex, indicating potential growth opportunities.
Regulatory Approval
A major regulatory milestone with the approval of three 765kV import paths in Texas supports Centerpoint Energy Inc's upside capex assumption, positioning the company to benefit significantly.
Negative Factors
Balance Sheet
Analyst maintains a Neutral rating on CNP given leading valuation and comparatively weak balance sheet, despite attractive organic growth.
Operational Costs
The ~$0.03 decline year-over-year is driven by higher O&M including storms, higher OpEx, drag from transition bonds rolling off, and higher drag at Parent/Other largely driven by higher debt balances as well as dilution.

Centerpoint Energy (CNP) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Centerpoint Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCenterPoint Energy, Inc. operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through Electric and Natural Gas segments. The Electric segment includes electric transmission and distribution services to electric customers and electric generation assets, as well as assets in the wholesale power market. The Natural Gas segment provides natural gas distribution services, as well as home appliance maintenance and repair services to customers in Minnesota; and home repair protection plans to natural gas customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas and Louisiana through a third party. This segment also engages in the sale of regulated intrastate natural gas, and transportation and storage of natural gas for residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation customers. As of December 31, 2021, it served approximately 2.7 million metered customers; owned 239 substation sites with a total installed rated transformer capacity of 71,241 megavolt amperes; operated approximately 1,00,000 linear miles of natural gas distribution and transmission mains; and owned and operated 285 miles of intrastate pipeline in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. The company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyCenterPoint Energy generates revenue primarily through its electric and natural gas utility operations. The company's electric transmission and distribution segment earns money by charging regulated fees for delivering electricity to customers, maintaining the grid infrastructure, and ensuring reliable service. Similarly, the natural gas distribution segment collects revenue by providing natural gas services, which include delivery, system maintenance, and customer service, to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. These segments operate under regulatory frameworks that allow the company to recover costs and earn an approved return on investment. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy may engage in strategic partnerships and investments to enhance its service offerings and operational efficiency, contributing to its overall profitability.

Centerpoint Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -3.18%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
CenterPoint Energy's earnings call reflected strong financial growth and strategic advancements, particularly in capital investment and regulatory stability. Despite challenges from delayed capital recovery and increased interest expenses, the company's outlook remains positive, supported by substantial load growth and resilience improvements.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Non-GAAP EPS Growth
CenterPoint Energy reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.53 for Q1 2025, reaffirming its 2025 guidance range of $1.74 to $1.76, translating to 8% growth at the midpoint from the 2024 non-GAAP EPS of $1.62.
Increased Capital Investment Plan
The capital investment plan through 2030 was increased by $1 billion to a total of $48.5 billion, reflecting nearly a dozen transmission projects to be submitted to ERCOT regional planning.
Regulatory Progress and Stability
80% of the enterprise rate base will not be subject to a general rate case proceeding for about four years, providing a derisked regulatory profile.
Load Growth in Houston Electric Service Territory
Houston Electric's load interconnection queue grew by 7 gigawatts, representing a nearly 20% increase, driven by industrial demand and data centers.
Hurricane Season Resiliency Improvements
Significant progress in grid resiliency, including doubling grid automation devices and replacing 26,000 poles, ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.
Negative Updates
Delayed Capital Recovery Mechanisms
Revenue from capital recovery mechanisms was lower in the first quarter due to delayed filings, expected to catch up in the second half of the year.
Increased Interest Expense
Interest expenses increased by $0.04 per share compared to Q1 2024, driven by $3.4 billion of net new debt issuances.
Book Loss from Sale
The sale of Louisiana and Mississippi Gas LDCs resulted in a book loss due to $217 million of goodwill being disposed, affecting GAAP EPS.
Company Guidance
In the recent earnings call, CenterPoint Energy provided comprehensive guidance for 2025, indicating a strong financial outlook and significant strategic developments. The company reaffirmed its 2025 non-GAAP EPS guidance range of $1.74 to $1.76, representing an 8% growth from the 2024 non-GAAP EPS of $1.62. This growth is supported by a solid capital investment plan, which has been increased by $1 billion, bringing the total to $48.5 billion through 2030, driven by diversified load growth in the Houston Electric service territory. CenterPoint expects to grow its non-GAAP EPS at the mid to high end of a 6% to 8% range annually through 2030, with a commitment to align dividend per share growth with earnings. The company also highlighted its strategic initiatives, including enhancing grid resiliency ahead of the hurricane season, accelerating capital recovery mechanisms, and exploring further capital investment opportunities, especially in electric transmission and gas infrastructure. CenterPoint's strong regulatory progress and capital investment updates reinforce its confidence in achieving its long-term growth objectives.

Centerpoint Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CenterPoint Energy demonstrates a solid income statement with stable margins but faces challenges in revenue growth. The balance sheet is strong with low leverage, although asset data is incomplete for TTM. Cash flow issues persist due to high capital expenditures, impacting free cash flow negatively. Overall, the company maintains stable operations but needs to address cash flow and growth concerns.
Income Statement
70
Positive
Centerpoint Energy has experienced fluctuating revenues with a recent decline in the TTM period. The gross profit margin is healthy at approximately 47.34% for TTM. Net profit margin is also strong at 16.03% in TTM. However, there is a noticeable drop in revenue and net income compared to the previous year, indicating a potential concern in revenue growth. The EBIT margin and EBITDA margin are stable, reflecting efficient operations.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.17 in TTM, indicating a relatively low leverage. Return on equity is modest at 8.82% in TTM, suggesting reasonable profitability. The equity ratio is not calculable due to missing total assets in the TTM period, but historical data shows a steady equity position. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a stable financial structure with manageable debt levels.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Free cash flow is negative at -$2.695 billion in TTM, marking a concern for cash flow stability. Operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.08 in TTM, showing strong cash generation relative to net income. However, the significant capital expenditures impact cash reserves negatively. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also negative, highlighting challenges in converting income to cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue8.94B8.64B8.70B9.32B8.35B7.42B
Gross Profit4.02B3.98B3.69B3.40B3.21B2.93B
EBITDA3.51B3.49B3.19B3.23B2.62B2.28B
Net Income966.00M1.02B917.00M1.06B668.00M-591.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets44.49B43.77B39.72B38.55B37.68B33.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.89B585.00M631.00M584.00M1.67B147.00M
Total Debt22.19B20.96B18.62B16.86B16.10B13.44B
Total Liabilities33.53B33.10B30.05B28.50B28.26B25.12B
Stockholders Equity10.96B10.67B9.67B10.04B9.41B8.35B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-2.69B-2.37B-524.00M-2.61B-3.14B-601.00M
Operating Cash Flow2.01B2.14B3.88B1.81B22.00M2.00B
Investing Cash Flow-3.88B-4.49B-4.23B-1.63B-1.85B-1.26B
Financing Cash Flow2.95B2.27B374.00M-345.00M1.92B-834.00M

Centerpoint Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price35.94
Price Trends
50DMA
37.06
Negative
100DMA
35.98
Negative
200DMA
33.19
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.20
Negative
RSI
43.00
Neutral
STOCH
40.85
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CNP, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 35.94 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 36.25, below the 50-day MA of 37.06, and above the 200-day MA of 33.19, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.20 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 43.00 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 40.85 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CNP.

Centerpoint Energy Risk Analysis

Centerpoint Energy disclosed 15 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Centerpoint Energy reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Centerpoint Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
PPPPL
73
Outperform
$24.99B25.247.00%3.25%5.62%30.02%
FEFE
72
Outperform
$22.95B21.158.69%4.48%7.92%1.54%
CMCMS
71
Outperform
$20.85B20.6212.53%3.11%5.87%3.59%
ESES
71
Outperform
$23.71B27.875.63%4.67%10.82%
EIEIX
67
Neutral
$20.22B7.4617.93%6.30%5.36%209.92%
CNCNP
62
Neutral
$23.46B24.169.22%2.46%4.76%4.08%
61
Neutral
C$4.82B-11.45-12.21%4.50%11.13%-68.91%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CNP
Centerpoint Energy
35.94
6.43
21.79%
CMS
CMS Energy
70.47
13.54
23.78%
EIX
Edison International
52.55
-16.56
-23.96%
FE
FirstEnergy
39.88
2.86
7.73%
ES
Eversource Energy
64.55
9.89
18.09%
PPL
PPL
33.81
7.27
27.39%

Centerpoint Energy Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Centerpoint Energy Invests in Renewable Energy Projects
Positive
Jul 2, 2025

Centerpoint Energy announced a strategic initiative to enhance its infrastructure by investing in renewable energy projects. This move is expected to bolster the company’s commitment to sustainability and improve its competitive position in the energy market.

The most recent analyst rating on (CNP) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Centerpoint Energy stock, see the CNP Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
CenterPoint Energy Finalizes Major Stock Sale Agreement
Neutral
May 29, 2025

On May 27, 2025, CenterPoint Energy entered into an Underwriting Agreement with BofA Securities, Mizuho Securities, and J.P. Morgan Securities, involving the sale of 21,621,622 shares of its common stock, with an option for an additional 3,243,243 shares, which was exercised on May 28, 2025. The agreements, including forward sale agreements with forward purchasers, allow for settlement by February 2027 and involve potential impacts on the company’s earnings per share and market price, depending on how the forward sale agreements are settled.

The most recent analyst rating on (CNP) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Centerpoint Energy stock, see the CNP Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
CenterPoint Energy Enters Forward Sale Agreements
Neutral
May 28, 2025

On May 27, 2025, CenterPoint Energy entered into forward sale agreements with Bank of America, Mizuho Markets Americas, and JPMorgan Chase, involving 21,621,622 shares of its common stock. This strategic move, which includes an underwriting agreement with major financial institutions, is aimed at enhancing liquidity and potentially impacting the company’s earnings per share due to potential dilution. The agreements allow for flexible settlement options, including physical, net share, or cash settlement, and could influence the market price of the company’s stock depending on future stock valuations.

The most recent analyst rating on (CNP) stock is a Hold with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Centerpoint Energy stock, see the CNP Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
CenterPoint Energy Reports Q1 2025 Earnings and Growth Plans
Positive
Apr 24, 2025

CenterPoint Energy announced its first quarter 2025 earnings, reporting a net income of $297 million, or $0.45 per diluted share on a GAAP basis, and $0.53 per share on a non-GAAP basis. Despite a slight decrease from the previous year due to the sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi gas distribution businesses, the company reiterated its full-year guidance and increased its 10-year capital investment plan by $1 billion to $48.5 billion. The company highlighted significant growth in electric load demand in Houston, supporting its forecast for a 50% load growth by 2031. CenterPoint is committed to expanding its electric infrastructure under the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, aiming to build a resilient coastal grid and maintain its financial performance for the benefit of stakeholders.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 03, 2025