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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT
REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November&nbsp;6, 2013 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Texas</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1-31447</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>74-0694415</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1111 Louisiana</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Houston, Texas</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>77002</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (713)&nbsp;207-1111 </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions (<I>see </I>General Instruction A.2. below): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ITEM&nbsp;2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On November&nbsp;6, 2013, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (&#147;CenterPoint Energy&#148;) reported third quarter 2013 earnings. For additional
information regarding CenterPoint Energy&#146;s third quarter 2013 earnings, please refer to CenterPoint Energy&#146;s press release attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 (the &#147;Press Release&#148;), which Press Release is incorporated by
reference herein. The information in the Press Release is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item&nbsp;2.02. Accordingly, the information in the Press Release will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by
CenterPoint Energy under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">ITEM&nbsp;9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The exhibit listed below is furnished pursuant to Item&nbsp;2.02 of this Form 8-K. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:8%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) Exhibits. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Press Release issued November&nbsp;6, 2013 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.&#146;s third quarter 2013 earnings.</TD></TR>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">SIGNATURE </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">Date: November 6, 2013</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Walter L. Fitzgerald</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Senior Vice President and</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chief Accounting
Officer</P></TD></TR>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">EXHIBIT INDEX </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:35.65pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>NUMBER</B></P></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:91.90pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION</B></P></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Press Release issued November&nbsp;6, 2013 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.&#146;s third quarter 2013 earnings.</TD></TR>
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Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 6, 2013
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
1-31447
74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas
77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
On November 6, 2013, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy") reported third quarter 2013 earnings. For additional
information regarding CenterPoint Energy's third quarter 2013 earnings, please refer to CenterPoint Energy's press release attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 (the "Press Release"), which Press Release is incorporated by
reference herein. The information in the Press Release is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 2.02. Accordingly, the information in the Press Release will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by
CenterPoint Energy under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
The exhibit listed below is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K.
(d) Exhibits.
99.1
Press Release issued November 6, 2013 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s third quarter 2013 earnings.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
Date: November 6, 2013
By:
/s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald
Walter L. Fitzgerald
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting
Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99.1
Press Release issued November 6, 2013 regarding CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s third quarter 2013 earnings.