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● ● ● ● CenterPoint® Energy For more information contact Media : Natalie Hedde Phone 812.491.5105 Investors : Philip Holder / Jackie Richert Phone 713.207.6500 CenterPoint Energy reports strong Q1 2021 earnings Q1 2021 earnings of $ 0.56 per diluted share ; $ 0.59 per diluted share on a non - GAAP basis , including strong results from utility operations of $ 0.47 Reaffirming 2021 Utility EPS guidance ( " Utility EPS " ) range of $ 1.24 - $ 1.26 and reiterating 6 % - 8 % Utility EPS annual growth rate target On path to deliver 10 % compound annual rate base growth through $ 16 billion 5 - year capital plan Rollout of our transition to Net - Zero , as part of our ESG strategy , later this year Houston - May 6 , 2021 - CenterPoint Energy , Inc. ( NYSE : CNP ) today reported income available to common shareholders of $ 334 million , or $ 0.56 per diluted share , for the first quarter of 2021 , compared to a loss available to common shareholders of $ 1,228 million , or a loss of $ 2.44 per diluted share , for the first quarter of 2020. First quarter 2020 results included after - tax non - cash impairment charges related to our midstream investments . On a non - GAAP basis , first quarter 2021 earnings were $ 0.59 per diluted share , with $ 0.47 per diluted share from utility operations , and $ 0.12 per diluted share from midstream investments , compared to $ 0.50 per diluted share from utility operations and $ 0.10 per diluted share from midstream investments in first quarter 2020. The utility growth drivers , including organic growth , rate recovery and ongoing cost management contributed $ 0.09 per diluted share of favorable variance when compared to the first quarter of 2020. This was offset by the impact of $ 0.12 negative variance attributable to the May of 2020 equity issuance and one - time CARES Act benefit in the first quarter of 2020 . " The increasing strength of our utility operations contributed to our strong first quarter results , " said Dave Lesar , President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy . " We are developing a consistent track record of delivering on our financial and strategic objectives that we outlined during our 2020 Investor Day . " Lesar added , " Regarding our financial objectives , we are reaffirming our 2021 Utility EPS range of $ 1.24 - $ 1.26 . In addition , we are on a path to deliver on our industry - leading 10 % compound annual rate base growth target which is supported by our current $ 16 billion 5 - year capital plan . These investments , coupled with our O & M discipline and organic customer growth of approximately 2 % per year , will advance us towards delivering on a consistent long - term 6 % - 8 % Utility EPS annual growth target while keeping rates affordable for our customers . " " Regarding strategic objectives , we recently announced the agreement to sell our Arkansas and Oklahoma gas LDC businesses for $ 1.725 billion , net of winter storm related gas costs , representing a landmark valuation . At this sales price , we now anticipate that this transaction will provide us with approximately $ 300 million of incremental after tax proceeds , compared to our Investor Day plan . These additional proceeds will now allow us the opportunity to begin to invest above our current $ 16 billion capital plan after the sale closes . " --more-