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

Centerpoint Energy (CNP) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
987 Followers

Top Page

CNP

Centerpoint Energy

(NYSE:CNP)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$41.00
▲(9.22% Upside)
Centerpoint Energy's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the Houston Electric service territory. However, high leverage and cash flow challenges pose risks. The technical indicators suggest a positive trend, while the valuation indicates potential overvaluation. The earnings call provided positive guidance, supporting future growth prospects.
Positive Factors
Capital Expenditure Plans
Centerpoint Energy Inc is poised to detail at least $2Bn of incremental electric-transmission capex, indicating potential growth opportunities.
Financial Growth Prospects
CNP's 8% NT EPS growth through 2025 and 6-8% LT EPS growth biased to the top end and lack of external financing make it attractive in the utility sector.
Regulatory Approvals
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 Weakness
Valuation keeps us on the sidelines.
Equity Issuance Uncertainty
Management alluded to the potential to avoid incremental equity issuance through 2030, depending on capex and transaction price of the Ohio gas LDC.
Valuation Concerns
Analyst maintains a Neutral rating on CNP given leading valuation and comparatively weak balance sheet, despite attractive organic growth.

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 through multiple streams, primarily by providing utility services. The main revenue sources include regulated electric and natural gas distribution, where the company charges customers based on usage and rates set by public utility commissions. Additionally, CenterPoint earns money from the sale of electric generation and transmission services, as well as natural gas procurement and transportation. The company also participates in infrastructure projects, such as the development of renewable energy sources, which can provide additional revenue through long-term contracts and partnerships. Key partnerships with energy suppliers and investments in technology for smart grids further enhance its revenue potential. Regulatory approvals and rate adjustments are critical factors that influence its financial performance.

Centerpoint Energy Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Net Income by Segment
Net Income by Segment
Chart Insights
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Centerpoint Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance and strategic capital investment increases, with positive growth in the Houston Electric service territory. However, there were challenges in maintaining previous EPS levels and increased interest expenses.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Non-GAAP EPS of $0.29 for Q2 2025, with reaffirmed full-year guidance of $1.74 to $1.76, indicating an 8% earnings growth at the midpoint from 2024.
Capital Investment Plan Increase
A $500 million increase to the 2025 capital investment plan, totaling $5.5 billion in additional investments announced this year, with no need for incremental common equity.
Houston Electric Service Growth
Forecasted peak load increase of 10 gigawatts by 2031, representing a nearly 50% increase in peak demand over the next six years, driven by diverse economic factors.
Ohio Gas LDC Sale
Proposed sale to recycle capital efficiently, prioritizing nearly $1 billion of capital expenditures to support Texas jurisdictions.
Negative Updates
Decreased Non-GAAP EPS Compared to Previous Year
Non-GAAP EPS of $0.29 for Q2 2025, down from $0.36 in Q2 2024 due to timing of rate recovery mechanisms and increased interest expenses.
Interest Expense Increase
Interest expense and financing costs increased by $0.03 compared to Q2 2024 due to higher debt issuances.
Regulatory and Recovery Challenges
Ongoing regulatory proceedings and recovery processes for storm costs and the proposed Beryl settlement.
Company Guidance
During the CenterPoint Energy Q2 2025 earnings call, management reaffirmed their 2025 non-GAAP EPS guidance range of $1.74 to $1.76, indicating an 8% growth at the midpoint from the 2024 non-GAAP EPS of $1.62. The company reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.29 for the second quarter, aligning with expectations to achieve 40-50% of the full-year EPS guidance in the first half of 2025. A $500 million increase to the capital investment plan was announced, raising the total to $5.5 billion for the year, with the entire $53 billion plan through 2030 expected to be funded without incremental common equity. This capital increase will support infrastructure enhancements in response to a forecasted peak load increase of 10 gigawatts by 2031 in the Houston Electric service territory. CenterPoint also announced the proposed sale of their Ohio Gas LDC, aiming to recycle proceeds to support Texas growth, ultimately constituting over 70% of their portfolio post-sale.

Centerpoint Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Centerpoint Energy shows strong revenue growth and solid operational efficiency with healthy EBIT and EBITDA margins. However, declining profit margins and high leverage pose potential risks. The balance sheet reflects significant debt levels, necessitating careful management to maintain financial stability. Cash flow challenges persist, with negative free cash flow and reduced operating cash flow coverage, indicating a need for strategic improvements in cash management.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Centerpoint Energy shows a strong revenue growth rate of 43.6% in the TTM, indicating robust top-line expansion. However, the gross profit margin has decreased from 46% in 2024 to 33.7% in the TTM, suggesting increased cost pressures. The net profit margin also declined slightly from 11.8% to 10.4%, reflecting some challenges in maintaining profitability. Despite these pressures, the EBIT and EBITDA margins remain healthy at 22.7% and 38.5%, respectively, indicating efficient operational management.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is relatively high at 1.96, indicating significant leverage, which could pose risks if not managed carefully. Return on equity has decreased from 9.5% in 2024 to 8.7% in the TTM, showing a slight decline in shareholder returns. The equity ratio stands at 25%, suggesting a moderate level of financial stability. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a need for cautious debt management to ensure long-term financial health.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Operating cash flow has decreased significantly in the TTM, with a coverage ratio of 0.46, down from 0.53 in 2024, indicating reduced cash generation relative to net income. Free cash flow remains negative, with a concerning free cash flow to net income ratio of -1.84, highlighting ongoing cash flow challenges. While there was a 15.7% growth in free cash flow, the overall cash flow position requires improvement to support sustainable operations.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue8.98B8.64B8.70B9.32B8.35B7.42B
Gross Profit3.95B3.98B3.69B3.40B3.21B2.93B
EBITDA3.43B3.49B3.19B3.23B2.62B2.28B
Net Income936.00M1.02B917.00M1.06B1.49B-773.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets44.10B43.77B39.72B38.55B37.68B33.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments776.00M585.00M631.00M584.00M1.67B1.02B
Total Debt21.62B20.96B18.62B16.86B16.10B13.44B
Total Liabilities33.08B33.10B30.05B28.50B28.26B25.12B
Stockholders Equity11.02B10.67B9.67B10.04B9.41B8.35B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-3.03B-2.37B-524.00M-2.61B-3.14B-601.00M
Operating Cash Flow2.00B2.14B3.88B1.81B22.00M2.00B
Investing Cash Flow-4.23B-4.49B-4.23B-1.63B-1.85B-1.26B
Financing Cash Flow2.25B2.27B374.00M-345.00M1.92B-834.00M

Centerpoint Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price37.54
Price Trends
50DMA
37.39
Negative
100DMA
37.14
Positive
200DMA
34.98
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.03
Positive
RSI
44.26
Neutral
STOCH
57.56
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CNP, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 37.54 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 37.87, above the 50-day MA of 37.39, and above the 200-day MA of 34.98, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.03 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.26 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 57.56 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for CNP.

Centerpoint Energy Risk Analysis

Centerpoint Energy disclosed 16 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 (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$27.21B22.1010.29%2.80%17.32%3.35%
73
Outperform
$25.11B19.1910.33%4.02%6.44%49.07%
71
Outperform
$26.59B27.036.96%2.97%6.62%17.35%
68
Neutral
$21.42B21.1112.48%3.03%8.25%4.37%
67
Neutral
$24.67B26.338.76%2.33%4.84%-11.24%
66
Neutral
$17.24B17.995.60%3.67%6.63%11.55%
60
Neutral
$23.58B27.345.63%4.67%14.44%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CNP
Centerpoint Energy
37.54
10.28
37.71%
AEE
Ameren
99.99
18.07
22.06%
CMS
CMS Energy
70.69
3.52
5.24%
FE
FirstEnergy
43.31
0.96
2.27%
ES
Eversource Energy
63.88
-0.77
-1.19%
PPL
PPL
35.73
4.53
14.52%

Centerpoint Energy Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
CenterPoint Energy Completes $1 Billion Convertible Notes Sale
Neutral
Jul 31, 2025

On July 31, 2025, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. completed the sale of $1 billion in 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The Notes were sold in a private offering and are convertible under certain conditions, with a conversion rate initially set at 21.4477 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. The Notes will mature on August 1, 2028, unless converted or repurchased earlier.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
CenterPoint Energy Reports Q2 2025 Earnings
Neutral
Jul 24, 2025

On July 24, 2025, CenterPoint Energy reported its second quarter 2025 earnings, highlighting a net income of $198 million, or $0.30 per diluted share on a GAAP basis, compared to $0.36 in the same period of 2024. The company increased its 10-year capital investment plan by $500 million, reaching a total of $53 billion through 2030, and reiterated its 2025 non-GAAP EPS guidance. CenterPoint also accomplished all commitments related to Phase II of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative ahead of schedule, resulting in a significant reduction in outage minutes for customers.

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.

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: Aug 22, 2025