CenterPoint Energy Q4 Profit Rises - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) reported that its net income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $176 million, or $0.41 per share, up from $113 million, or $0.26 per share the previous year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.26 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The latest-quarter results included a tax benefit of $0.07 per share.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $221 million, compared to $211 million in the prior year.

CenterPoint Energy reports its investment in midstream operations as equity income rather than operating income. Midstream Investments equity income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $67 million, compared to $66 million in the prior year.

On a consolidated basis, CenterPoint Energy expects earnings on a guidance basis for 2015 to be in the range of $1.00 to $1.10 per diluted share. Analysts expect annual earnings of $1.17 per share.

CenterPoint Energy expects earnings on a guidance basis for 2015 Utility Operations to be in the range of $0.71 to $0.75 per diluted share.