e11vk
Table of Contents

 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 11-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-31447
A. Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
CenterPoint Energy Savings Plan
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

1111 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
 
 

 

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
  Page 1
 
        
Financial Statements:
        
 
        
  Page 2
 
        
  Page 3
 
        
  Page 4
 
        
Supplemental Schedule:
        
 
        
  Page 14
 
        
       
 EX-23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Exhibit 23)
Other supplemental schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under ERISA have been omitted because they are not applicable.

 

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Participants and Plan Administrator of the CenterPoint Energy Savings Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the CenterPoint Energy Savings Plan (Plan) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ McConnell & Jones LLP
Houston, Texas
June 13, 2011

1

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
                
Investments, at fair value (see Note 3)
   $ 1,479,195,163     $ 1,310,695,502  
 
                
Receivables:
                
Notes receivable from participants
     39,484,978       35,664,467  
Dividends and interest
     446,885       378,636  
Employer contributions
     8,882       664,151  
Participant contributions
     6,484       1,283,017  
Pending investment transactions
     —       55,002  
 
            
Total receivables
     39,947,229       38,045,273  
 
            
Total Assets
     1,519,142,392       1,348,740,775  
 
            
 
                
LIABILITIES
                
Pending investment transactions
     83,709       53,811  
Other
     440,669       323,020  
 
            
Total Liabilities
     524,378       376,831  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AT FAIR VALUE
     1,518,618,014       1,348,363,944  
 
                
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
     (1,408,655 )     4,529,567  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
   $ 1,517,209,359     $ 1,352,893,511  
 
            
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

2

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
         
Investment Income:
        
Net appreciation in fair value of investments (see Note 4)
   $ 117,149,707  
Dividends and interest
     34,505,908  
Interest on notes receivable from participants
     1,985,883  
 
      
Total Investment Income
     153,641,498  
 
      
 
        
Contributions:
        
Participant contributions
     47,031,116  
Employer contributions
     32,786,877  
Rollover contributions
     1,364,507  
 
      
Total Contributions
     81,182,500  
 
      
 
        
Expenses:
        
Benefit payments
     67,433,825  
Administrative expenses
     3,074,325  
 
      
Total Expenses
     70,508,150  
 
      
 
        
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
     164,315,848  
 
        
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
        
 
        
BEGINNING OF YEAR
     1,352,893,511  
 
      
 
        
END OF YEAR
   $ 1,517,209,359  
 
      
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
1.   Description of the Plan
     
    The following description of the CenterPoint Energy Savings Plan (Plan) provides only general information. Participants (as defined below) should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions. In the case of any discrepancy between this summary and the Plan document, the Plan document will govern.
  (a)   General
    The Plan is a defined contribution plan established in accordance with Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC) and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Effective January 1, 2009, the Plan is a “safe harbor” 401(k) plan under the IRC, which means it is deemed to satisfy certain deferral and contribution testing requirements.
    Participants include all employees of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (Company or CenterPoint Energy) and those subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company that have adopted the Plan except (a) employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement unless such agreement provides for participation in the Plan, (b) leased employees, (c) independent contractors or (d) non-resident aliens who receive no United States sourced income (Participants).
  (b)   Contributions
    Participants may contribute, on a pre-tax and after-tax basis, up to 50% and 16% of eligible compensation, respectively, not to exceed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) compensation limit as defined in the Plan. Active Participants age 50 or over may contribute an additional pre-tax contribution not to exceed the IRS limit ($5,500 for 2010); however, the Company generally does not provide the match on such “catch-up” contributions, unless a matching contribution is required to meet the safe harbor plan provisions under the IRC. Participants may also contribute amounts representing rollover eligible distributions from other defined benefit or defined contribution plans, IRC Section 403(b) annuity plans, IRC Section 457 governmental plans or conduit Individual Retirement Accounts that have been holding a distribution from a qualified plan. Participants direct their contributions into the various eligible investment options offered by the Plan.
    All new employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan to make pre-tax contributions. An employee who has been automatically enrolled is deemed to have elected to defer pre-tax contributions (Automatic Contribution). The initial pre-tax contribution is three percent of the employee’s eligible compensation on a payroll-period basis. The contribution percentage is increased by an increment of one percent on April 1 in each of the following years until it reaches six percent of compensation on a payroll-period basis.
    A notice is provided to all employees who have been automatically enrolled in the Plan (Automatic Enrollment Notice). In general, an employee has 30 days after receiving the Automatic Enrollment Notice to elect not to make any pre-tax contributions or choose a different contribution percentage.
    Contributions, including all related employer matching contributions, made under the Automatic Contribution provision of the Plan will be invested in the default investment fund as defined in the Plan. Employees may elect to change the Automatic Contribution percentage and/or direct the contributions to any of the investment options offered under the Plan at any time after the commencement of the Automatic Contribution. The Company matches 100% of the first six percent of eligible compensation.
    Participants may elect to invest all or a portion of their contributions to the Plan in the Company Common Stock Fund. In addition, Participants may elect to have dividends paid on their investment in the Company Common Stock Fund either reinvested in the Company Common Stock Fund or paid to them in cash, and they can transfer all or part of their investment in the Company Common Stock Fund to the other investment options offered by the Plan. Employer contributions are made in the form of cash and are invested in accordance with Participant elections.
    Contributions are subject to certain limitations as set forth under the IRC or the limits set forth in the Plan document.

4

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
  (c)   Investment Options
    The Plan offers the following investment funds (Funds):
  •   Company Common Stock Fund
 
  •   Large Company Growth Fund
 
  •   Large Company Value Fund
 
  •   International Equity Fund
 
  •   Balanced Fund
 
  •   Fixed Income Fund
 
  •   Stable Value Fund
 
  •   S&P 500 Index Fund
 
  •   Small Company Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Fund
 
  •   Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Fund
    Upon enrollment in the Plan, Participants may direct contributions, in one percent increments, in any of the investment options. Participants should refer to the Plan prospectus for a detailed description of each Fund.
  (d)   Participant Accounts
    Individual accounts are maintained for each Participant. Each Participant’s account is credited with the Participant’s contributions and with allocations of the Company contributions and Plan earnings. Each Participant’s account is also charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on Participant account balances. A Participant is entitled to their vested account balance.
  (e)   Vesting and Forfeitures
    Participants are immediately fully vested in all contributions and actual earnings thereon. As a result, there are no forfeitures.
  (f)   Notes Receivable From Participants
    A Participant may borrow against their vested account balance. The maximum amount that a Participant may borrow is the lesser of (a) $50,000, reduced by the excess, if any, of the highest outstanding balance of loans to the Participant from all plans maintained by the Company or an affiliated entity during the one-year period ending on the day before the date on which such loan is made, over the outstanding balance of loans from the Plan on the date on which such loan is made or (b) 50% of the value of the Participant’s vested account balance under the Plan.

5

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
    The loans are to be secured by the pledge of a portion of the Participant’s right, title and value of the Participant’s vested account balance under the Plan as determined immediately after the loans are made. The minimum loan amount is $500. Loans may be repaid over a period of up to five years and are subject to a $50 origination fee. Interest rates are fixed at the prime rate listed in The Wall Street Journal for the first of each month in which the loan is requested plus one percent. Loan transactions are treated as a transfer to (from) the investment fund from (to) notes receivable from participants.
  (g)   Payment of Benefits
    Upon termination, a Participant whose account exceeds $1,000 may elect, upon written request at any time, to receive a distribution in a single lump-sum payment or fixed monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments over a period of ten years or less. Such distributions are generally paid in the form of cash; however, if the Participant has investments in the Company Common Stock Fund, the Participant may elect an in-kind distribution of those funds.
    Generally, to the extent a Participant has not requested a distribution by the time he or she reaches age 701/2, required minimum distributions will be made consistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan and the requirements of the IRC. Immediate lump-sum distributions are made for accounts which do not exceed $1,000.
    A Participant who is under age 591/2 may make a withdrawal from amounts attributable to after-tax contributions and, if applicable, rollover contributions in the Plan and associated earnings. A Participant who is under age 591/2 and has less than five years of service withdraws matched after-tax contributions will be suspended from Plan participation for six months. A Participant who is age 591/2 or older may make unlimited withdrawals from pre-tax contributions, after-tax contributions, vested portion of prior Plan accounts, rollover account and any associated earnings.
  (h)   Administration
    The assets of the Plan are held in trust by The Northern Trust Company (Trustee). Aon Hewitt is the recordkeeper for the Plan. The Benefits Committee of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (Committee), appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company, is the Plan Administrator (Plan Administrator). The Committee retains an independent investment consultant to provide investment advice with respect to the Funds.
  (i)   Termination of the Plan
    Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company may terminate the Plan at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA and must give written notice to the Trustee.
2.   Summary of Accounting Policies
  (a)   Use of Estimates and Basis of Accounting
    The preparation of financial statements under the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
  (b)   Adoption of Accounting Standards
    In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-6, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (ASU 2010-6), which requires entities to make disclosures about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. In accordance with ASU 2010-6, the reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. ASU 2010-6 also requires an entity to present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The disclosures in ASU 2010-6 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward activity in Level 3 fair value

6

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
  measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. These additional disclosures were adopted in 2010.
    In September 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-25, Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans, which requires participant loans to be classified as notes receivable from participants that are segregated from plan investments and measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. As a result of the Plan’s adoption of this update in 2010, prior year participant loans, as presented in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and notes to the financial statements, have been reclassified for conformity with the current year presentation. The adoption of FASB ASU No. 2010-25 did not have any effect on the changes in net assets or the financial position of the Plan.
  (c)   Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
    The investments in all Funds of the Plan are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Investments are reflected at fair value in the financial statements, except for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts which are stated at contract value. Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
    Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value; however, contract value is the relevant measurement attributed for that portion of the net assets available for benefits, because it represents the amount Participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts, as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive contracts from fair value to contract value. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits is prepared on a contract-value basis.
  (d)   Notes Receivable From Participants
    Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Delinquent participant loans are reclassified as distributions based upon the terms of the Plan. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned.
  (e)   Payment of Benefits
    Benefits are recorded when paid.
  (f)   Plan Expenses
    Direct Plan expenses such as trustee, recordkeeping, auditing and investment management fees and certain general administrative expenses are paid from the Plan assets. These expenses are shown as a separate component in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits. Plan expenses other than the aforementioned items are included as a component of investment gains and losses. These expenses are reported on Schedule C of Form 5500 as indirect compensation.

7

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
3.   Fair Value Measurements
    FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a framework for measuring fair value as it relates to financial assets and liabilities and to non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. That framework provides a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon observable and unobservable inputs, with preference given to observable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described below:
  Level 1   Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities;
 
  Level 2   Observable inputs such as (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and do not require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs; or (iii) valuations based on pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques where significant inputs (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, etc.) are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
 
  Level 3   Unobservable inputs, including valuations based on pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques where at least one significant model assumption or inputs is unobservable. Unobservable inputs are used to the extent that observable inputs are not available and reflect the Plan’s own assumptions about the assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include the Plan’s own data.
    Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value:
• Common stocks: valued at the closing price reported on the active market in which the individual securities are traded.
• Mutual funds: valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end. The share value is based on the quoted price at the end of the day on the active market in which the individual mutual funds are traded.
• Common or collective trust funds: valued at the net asset value of units held by the Plan at year-end, and generally, include the use of significant observable inputs in determining the unit value.
• Guaranteed investment contract: valued at fair value by discounting the related future payments based on current yields of similar instruments with comparable duration considering the credit worthiness of the issuer.
    The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

8

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
    The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2010:
                                 
    Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
     
Mutual funds
                                
Target Date Retirement Funds
   $ 182,868,835     $ —     $ —     $ 182,868,835  
Fixed Income Fund
     150,799,251       —       —       150,799,251  
Large Company Growth Fund
     51,685,677       —       —       51,685,677  
Large Company Value Fund
     46,451,896       —       —       46,451,896  
International Equity Fund
     35,710,679       —       —       35,710,679  
Balanced Fund
     23,961,569       —       —       23,961,569  
     
Total mutual funds
     491,477,907       —               491,477,907  
 
                                
Common or collective trust funds
                                
Stable Value Fund
     —       222,001,957       —       222,001,957  
S&P 500 Index Fund
     —       137,651,137       —       137,651,137  
Fixed Income Fund
     —       48,791,630       —       48,791,630  
Balanced Fund
     —       58,310,766       —       58,310,766  
Large Company Growth Fund
     —       45,282,289       —       45,282,289  
International Equity Fund
     —       42,722,112       —       42,722,112  
Large Company Value Fund
     —       41,048,650       —       41,048,650  
Small Company Fund
     —       21,990,073       —       21,990,073  
Short-Term Investment Fund
     —       8,826,773       —       8,826,773  
     
Total common or collective trust funds
     —       626,625,387       —       626,625,387  
 
                                
Common stocks
                                
Company Common Stock Fund
     330,318,213       —       —       330,318,213  
Small Company Fund
     18,019,258       —       —       18,019,258  
     
Total common stocks
     348,337,471       —       —       348,337,471  
 
                                
Others
                                
Stable Value Fund (1)
     —       —       12,754,398       12,754,398  
     
Total others
     —       —       12,754,398       12,754,398  
     
Total assets at fair value
   $ 839,815,378     $ 626,625,387     $ 12,754,398     $ 1,479,195,163  
     
 
(1)   Represents the guaranteed investment contracts held by the Stable Value Fund.

9

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
    The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009:
                                 
    Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
     
Mutual funds
                                
Target Date Retirement Funds
   $ 144,803,900     $ —     $ —     $ 144,803,900  
Fixed Income Fund
     124,020,648       —       —       124,020,648  
International Equity Fund
     52,325,732       —       —       52,325,732  
U.S. Equity — Large Cap Fund
     41,017,291       —       —       41,017,291  
Balanced Fund
     27,674,554       —       —       27,674,554  
     
Total mutual funds
     389,842,125                       389,842,125  
 
                                
Common or collective trust funds
                                
U.S. Equity — Large Cap Fund
     —       239,238,429       —       239,238,429  
Stable Value Fund
     —       196,346,120       —       196,346,120  
Balanced Fund
     —       45,686,934       —       45,686,934  
Fixed Income Fund
     —       43,508,234       —       43,508,234  
Short-Term Investment Fund
     —       25,580,510       —       25,580,510  
International Equity Fund
     —       20,653,437       —       20,653,437  
U.S. Equity — Small Cap Fund
     —       15,861,238       —       15,861,238  
     
Total common or collective trust funds
     —       586,874,902       —       586,874,902  
 
                                
Common stocks
                                
Company Common Stock Fund
     309,359,526       —       —       309,359,526  
U.S. Equity — Small Cap
     13,672,509       —       —       13,672,509  
International Equity
     271,577       —       —       271,577  
     
Total common stocks
     323,303,612       —       —       323,303,612  
 
                                
Others (1)
                                
Guaranteed investment contracts (2)
     —       —       10,674,863       10,674,863  
     
Total others
     —       —       10,674,863       10,674,863  
     
Total assets at fair value
   $ 713,145,737     $ 586,874,902     $ 10,674,863     $ 1,310,695,502  
     
 
(1)   Participant loans, previously listed under this category, have been reclassified to Notes Receivable From Participants in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits in accordance with FASB ASU No. 2010-25 (refer to Note 2 for further discussion).
 
(2)   Investments held by the Stable Value Fund.

10

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
    The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2010:
                 
    Level 3 Assets  
    Year Ended December 31, 2010  
    Guaranteed        
    Investment        
    Contract     Total  
Balance, beginning of year
   $ 10,674,863     $ 10,674,863  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net)
     2,079,535       2,079,535  
 
            
Balance, end of year
   $ 12,754,398     $ 12,754,398  
 
            
4.   Investments
    The following presents investments that represent five percent or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.
                 
    December 31,
    2010   2009
Company Common Stock, 21,012,609 and 21,320,436 shares, respectively
   $ 330,318,213     $ 309,359,526  
 
                
BlackRock Equity Index Fund, 8,499,612 and 8,375,870 shares, respectively
     171,607,159       146,745,246  
 
        
Dwight Target 2 Fund, 7,091,940 and 6,531,619 shares, respectively
     129,138,374       114,764,248  
 
                
PIMCO Total Return Fund, 11,455,220 and 9,131,004 shares, respectively
     124,289,139       98,614,843  
    As detailed above, the Plan has significant holdings of Company common stock. As a result, the values of the Plan’s investments may be materially impacted by the changes in fair value related to this security.
    During 2010 the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value as follows:
         
Common or collective trust funds
   $ 44,174,122  
Mutual funds
     43,747,441  
Common stocks
     29,228,144  
 
      
Total investment appreciation
   $ 117,149,707  
 
      
    Stable Value Fund
    The Stable Value Fund (Stable Fund) has investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (Synthetic GICs). A Synthetic GIC, also known as a wrap contract, is an investment contract issued by an insurance company or other financial institution, backed by a portfolio of bonds or other fixed income assets that are owned by the Stable Fund. The assets underlying the wrap contract are maintained separate from the contract issuer’s general assets, usually by the Stable Fund’s trustee or a third party custodian. The contracts are obligated to provide an interest rate not less than zero. These contracts provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the Stable Fund, but rather are amortized, over the duration of the underlying assets or other agreed upon period, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rates. The issuer guarantees that all

11

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
    qualified participant withdrawals will occur at contract value which represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less withdrawals made under the contract and administrative expenses.
 
    There are no reserves against contract value for credit risk of the contract issuer or otherwise. The crediting rates for Synthetic GICs are reset quarterly and are based on the market value of the underlying portfolio of assets backing these contracts. Inputs used to determine the crediting rate include each contract’s portfolio value, current yield to maturity, duration and market value relative to the Synthetic GICs book value.
 
    During 2010 and 2009, the average yields for the Stable Fund were as follows:
                 
    2010   2009
Based on actual earnings
     2.14 %     3.57 %
Based on the interest rate credited to Participants
     2.15 %     2.65 %
    Benefit-responsive investment contracts are designed to preserve capital and provide a stable crediting rate. Such contracts provide Participant initiated withdrawals to be paid at contract value. Such contracts provide that withdrawals associated with certain events not in the ordinary course of fund operations may be paid at market rather than contract value. Examples of such circumstances may include significant plan design changes, complete or partial plan terminations, severance programs, early retirement programs, the closing or sale of a subsidiary, bankruptcy of the plan sponsor or the failure of the trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. The Plan Administrator does not believe the occurrence of the above events that would limit the Plan’s ability to conduct transactions with Participants at contract value is probable.
 
    Contracts associated with Synthetic GICs are evergreen agreements with termination provisions. Accordingly, such agreements permit the Plan’s investment manager or issuer to terminate upon notice at any time at market value and provide for automatic termination of the contract if the book value or the market value of the contract equals zero. The issuer is not excused from paying the excess contract value when the market value equals zero. Contracts that permit the issuer to terminate at market value generally provide portfolio guidelines and transition provisions intended to result in the contract value equaling the market value of the portfolio by such termination date. Non-adherence to the guidelines and provisions may result in the settlement of the contract at market value; however, the Plan Administrator does not believe the occurrence of these circumstances is probable.
 
5.   Risks and Uncertainties
 
    The Plan provides for investments in Company common stock, various mutual funds and other investments. Investments, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit and overall market volatility risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and Participant account balances. Rates of return will vary, and returns will depend on the market value of the Plan’s investments.
 
6.   Tax Status
 
    The IRS has determined and informed the Company by letter dated April 2, 2001 that the Plan is qualified and the trust fund established is tax-exempt under the appropriate sections of the IRC. Although the Plan has been amended and restated since receiving the determination letter, the Plan Administrator and the Plan sponsor’s counsel believe these amendments have not adversely affected the Plan’s qualified status and the related trust’s tax-exempt status as of the financial statement date.

12

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
7.   Related Party Transactions
 
    During 2010, the Plan purchased and sold shares of the Company’s common stock and units of short-term investment funds managed by the Trustee as temporary investments (party-in-interest transactions) as shown below:
             
Purchases  
Company common stock
   $ 78,596,594  
   
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     344,468,799  
   
 
        
Sales  
Company common stock
   $ 82,325,893  
   
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     338,955,434  
8.   Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
 
    The following is a reconciliation of Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500:
                 
    2010     2009  
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ 1,517,209,359     $ 1,352,893,511  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     1,408,655       (4,529,567 )
 
            
 
                
Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ 1,518,618,014     $ 1,348,363,944  
 
            
    The following is a reconciliation of the Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2010:
         
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ 164,315,848  
Adjustment to reverse fair value adjustment for fully benefit-responsive contracts related to prior year
     4,529,567  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     1,408,655  
 
      
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ 170,254,070  
 
      
9.   Subsequent Events
 
    The Plan has been amended effective January 1, 2011 to allow participants to take a safe harbor hardship withdrawal, as defined in the IRC, of their pre-tax contributions. Participant will be subject to a mandatory six-month suspension on making any pre-tax and after-tax contributions from the withdrawal date.

13

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
COMMON OR COLLECTIVE TRUSTS
            
   
BLACKROCK
   EQUITY INDEX FUND   $ 171,607,159  
   
BLACKROCK
   MSCI ACWI EX US INDEX FUND     7,215,850  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 1000 GROWTH INDEX FUND     45,282,289  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 1000 VALUE INDEX FUND     41,048,650  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND     21,563,078  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   CORE INTER FUND     42,305,402  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   TARGET 2 FUND     129,138,374  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   TARGET 5 FUND     35,450,523  
   
MELLON BANK
   EB DAILY LIQUIDITY AGGREGATE BOND INDEX FUND     48,791,630  
*  
NORTHERN TRUST
   SHORT TERM INVESTMENT FUND     21,172,271  
   
SEI
   STABLE AST FUND CLASS F     3,189,156  
   
THORNBURG INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
   INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND     47,116,200  
   
WELLINGTON CAPITAL
   SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO     12,744,805  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 626,625,387  
   
 
            
   
COMMON STOCK
            
   
ABOVENET INC
   COMMON STOCK   $ 56,122  
   
ACADIA RLTY TRUST
   COMMON STOCK     74,237  
   
ACORDA THERAPEUTICS INC
   COMMON STOCK     20,990  
   
ACTUANT CORP
   COMMON STOCK     70,011  
   
AECOM TECHNOLOGY CORP DELAWARE
   COMMON STOCK     72,722  
   
AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     117,080  
   
AIRCASTLE LIMITED
   COMMON STOCK     129,057  
   
ALASKA AIR GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     103,743  
   
ALBANY INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     163,461  
   
ALBERTO-CULVER CO
   COMMON STOCK     111,490  
   
ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     86,994  
   
ALLIED NEV GOLD CORP
   COMMON STOCK     55,777  
   
ALPHA NAT RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     113,156  
   
AMER GREETINGS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     45,871  
   
AMERICAN WTR WKS CO INC
   COMMON STOCK     65,754  
   
AMERIGROUP CORP
   COMMON STOCK     120,341  
   
AMERON INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     23,675  
   
AMETEK INC
   COMMON STOCK     79,481  
   
ANWORTH MTG AST CORP
   COMMON STOCK     68,600  
   
ARIBA INC
   COMMON STOCK     81,745  
   
ARUBA NETWORKS INC
   COMMON STOCK     45,518  
   
ARVINMERITOR INC
   COMMON STOCK     189,400  
   
ARVINMERITOR INC
   COMMON STOCK     76,950  
   
ASHLAND INC
   COMMON STOCK     87,988  

14

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
ATHEROSMUNICATIONS INC
   COMMON STOCK     83,334  
   
ATLAS AIR WORLDWIDE HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,218  
   
AVISTA CORP
   COMMON STOCK     95,710  
   
B & G FOODS INC
   COMMON STOCK     129,337  
   
BANK OF THE OZARKS INC
   COMMON STOCK     86,700  
   
BERRY PETE CO
   COMMON STOCK     138,529  
   
BIOMED RLTY TR INC
   COMMON STOCK     96,980  
   
BOSTON PRIVATE FINL HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     84,691  
   
BRANDYWINE RLTY TR
   COMMON STOCK     39,494  
   
BRIGHAM EXPL CO
   COMMON STOCK     98,609  
   
BROWN & BROWN INC
   COMMON STOCK     83,790  
   
BRUKER CORP
   COMMON STOCK     57,768  
   
CABOT CORP
   COMMON STOCK     90,736  
   
CARDTRONICS INC
   COMMON STOCK     173,460  
   
CAVIUM NETWORKS INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,663  
   
CB RICHARD ELLIS GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     73,933  
*  
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC
   COMMON STOCK     330,318,213  
   
CEPHEID INC
   COMMON STOCK     47,775  
   
CIENA CORP
   COMMON STOCK     36,627  
   
CIMAREX ENERGY CO
   COMMON STOCK     64,627  
   
CLECO CORP
   COMMON STOCK     109,198  
   
CNO FINL GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     122,515  
   
COEUR D ALENE MINES CORP
   COMMON STOCK     126,765  
   
COHERENT INC
   COMMON STOCK     111,947  
   
COMPLETE PRODTN SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     117,904  
   
COMPUWARE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     131,171  
   
CORE LAB
   COMMON STOCK — ADR     108,641  
   
COVANTA HLDG CORP
   COMMON STOCK     54,149  
   
CROCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     37,835  
   
CROWN HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     123,840  
   
DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP
   COMMON STOCK     57,413  
   
DIAMONDROCK HOSPITALITY CO
   COMMON STOCK     146,880  
   
DIGITAL RLTY TR INC
   COMMON STOCK     70,094  
   
DINEEQUITY INC
   COMMON STOCK     64,194  
   
EARTHLINK INC
   COMMON STOCK     88,236  
   
EAST WEST BANCORP INC
   COMMON STOCK     45,747  
   
EATON VANCE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     79,807  
   
EMERGENCY MED SVCS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     47,165  
   
ENERGEN CORP
   COMMON STOCK     71,907  
   
ENERGY XXI
   COMMON STOCK     73,049  
   
ENERNOC INC
   COMMON STOCK     61,210  
   
ENTEGRIS INC
   COMMON STOCK     69,097  

15

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
EQUIFAX INC
   COMMON STOCK     104,308  
   
ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
   COMMON STOCK     135,808  
   
EVERCORE PARTNERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     150,620  
   
FERRO CORP
   COMMON STOCK     117,706  
   
FINISH LINE INC
   COMMON STOCK     123,424  
   
FIRST REP BK SAN FRANCISCO CALIF
   COMMON STOCK     60,861  
   
FOSTER WHEELER LTD
   COMMON STOCK     113,571  
   
GATX CORP
   COMMON STOCK     92,434  
   
GAYLORD ENTMT CO
   COMMON STOCK     62,895  
   
GENESEE & WYO INC
   COMMON STOCK     203,857  
   
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     170,387  
   
GOVERNMENT PPTYS INCOME TRUST
   COMMON STOCK     97,248  
   
GREEN MTN COFFEE ROASTERS
   COMMON STOCK     82,643  
   
GREENHILL & CO INC
   COMMON STOCK     54,726  
   
GUESS INC
   COMMON STOCK     126,818  
   
HEALTHSOUTH CORP
   COMMON STOCK     86,361  
   
HENRY JACK & ASSOC INC
   COMMON STOCK     114,268  
   
HERCULES TECHNOLOGY GROWTH CAP INC
   COMMON STOCK     126,910  
   
HHGREGG INC
   COMMON STOCK     45,671  
   
HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     65,124  
   
HUB GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,575  
   
INCYTE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     46,699  
   
INFORMATICA CORP
   COMMON STOCK     82,776  
   
ITC HLDGS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     98,548  
   
JAKKS PAC INC
   COMMON STOCK     85,270  
   
KAISER ALUM CORP
   COMMON STOCK     55,099  
   
KEY ENERGY SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     53,867  
   
KILROY RLTY CORP
   COMMON STOCK     132,386  
   
KINETIC CONCEPTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,119  
   
KNIGHT CAP GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     92,945  
   
KNIGHT TRANSN INC
   COMMON STOCK     73,720  
   
KRATON PERFORMANCE POLYMERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     82,636  
   
KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC
   COMMON STOCK     91,778  
   
LADISH INC
   COMMON STOCK     69,026  
   
LAM RESH CORP
   COMMON STOCK     140,324  
   
LASALLE HOTEL PPTYS
   COMMON STOCK     139,920  
   
LIBBEY INC
   COMMON STOCK     127,782  
   
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORP
   COMMON STOCK     103,209  
   
LPL INVT HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     77,468  
   
MAGELLAN HLTH SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     55,318  
   
MANPOWER INC
   COMMON STOCK     99,788  
   
MARKETAXESS HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     49,944  

16

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     106,088  
   
MEN’S WEARHOUSE INC
   COMMON STOCK     62,450  
   
MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     155,760  
   
METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS INC
   COMMON STOCK     85,126  
   
MF GLOBAL HLDGS LTD
   COMMON STOCK     65,459  
   
MID-AMER APT CMNTYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     151,106  
   
MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     90,920  
   
MSCI INC
   COMMON STOCK     80,258  
   
NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC
   COMMON STOCK     144,139  
   
NATL FINL PARTNERS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     60,568  
   
NATL FUEL GAS CO
   COMMON STOCK     70,213  
   
NAVISTAR INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     44,591  
   
NELNET INC
   COMMON STOCK     138,113  
   
NETLOGIC MICROSYSTEMS INC
   COMMON STOCK     79,467  
   
NORTHWESTERN CORP
   COMMON STOCK     101,193  
   
NOVAGOLD RES INC
   COMMON STOCK — ADR     86,191  
   
OASIS PETE INC
   COMMON STOCK     94,649  
   
OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     116,367  
   
ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     64,891  
   
OWENS CORNING
   COMMON STOCK     37,380  
   
PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COS INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,449  
   
PAREXEL INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     46,706  
   
PATRIOT COAL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     51,137  
   
PETRO DEV CORP
   COMMON STOCK     188,679  
   
PHARMASSET INC
   COMMON STOCK     40,805  
   
PIER 1 IMPORTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     127,365  
   
PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     131,312  
   
PMC SIERRA INC
   COMMON STOCK     43,208  
   
POLARIS INDS INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,955  
   
PRIMERICA INC
   COMMON STOCK     36,375  
   
PROASSURANCE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     113,322  
   
PULTE HOMES INC
   COMMON STOCK     60,558  
   
RACKSPACE HOSTING INC
   COMMON STOCK     46,173  
   
RADIANT SYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     32,878  
   
RC2 CORP
   COMMON STOCK     73,583  
   
RIVERBED TECHNOLOGY INC
   COMMON STOCK     113,951  
   
ROBBINS & MYERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     108,771  
   
ROCK-TENN CO
   COMMON STOCK     107,900  
   
ROCKWOOD HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     132,226  
   
RUBY TUESDAY INC
   COMMON STOCK     117,932  
   
SALLY BEAUTY HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     149,950  
   
SAPIENT CORP
   COMMON STOCK     58,927  

17

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
SIGNATURE BK NY N Y
   COMMON STOCK     195,000  
   
SOTHEBYS HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     49,950  
   
STERLING BANCSHARES INC
   COMMON STOCK     138,856  
   
STILLWATER MNG CO
   COMMON STOCK     86,254  
   
SUCCESSFACTORS INC
   COMMON STOCK     116,709  
   
SUNSTONE HOTEL INVS INC
   COMMON STOCK     72,930  
   
SUSQUEHANNA BANCSHARES INC
   COMMON STOCK     73,858  
   
SVB FINL GROUP
   COMMON STOCK     150,131  
   
TAL INTL GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     142,002  
   
TALEO CORP
   COMMON STOCK     83,503  
   
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CTRS INC
   COMMON STOCK     103,404  
   
TAUBMAN CTRS INC
   COMMON STOCK     60,071  
   
TENNECO INC
   COMMON STOCK     76,146  
   
TERADYNE INC
   COMMON STOCK     171,148  
   
TEREX CORP
   COMMON STOCK     89,395  
   
TEXAS ROADHOUSE INC
   COMMON STOCK     97,354  
   
THOMPSON CREEK METALS CO INC
   COMMON STOCK — ADR     68,154  
   
TIBCO SOFTWARE INC
   COMMON STOCK     160,439  
   
TITAN INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     172,538  
   
TOWER GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     88,251  
   
TRIUMPH GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     147,526  
   
TRUE RELIGION APPAREL INC
   COMMON STOCK     67,670  
   
TUTOR PERINI CORP
   COMMON STOCK     46,032  
   
TW TELECOM INC
   COMMON STOCK     54,560  
   
ULTA SALON COSMETICS & FRAGRANCE INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,880  
   
UNITED CONTL HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     85,156  
   
UNITED NAT FOODS INC
   COMMON STOCK     60,889  
   
UNVL HEALTH SERVICES INC
   COMMON STOCK     100,734  
   
UTD THERAPEUTICS CORP DEL
   COMMON STOCK     92,301  
   
VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL INC
   COMMON STOCK — ADR     72,139  
   
VALUECLICK INC
   COMMON STOCK     148,438  
   
VARIAN SEMI EQUIPTMENT ASSOCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     108,581  
   
VERIFONE HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,595  
   
VIROPHARMA INC
   COMMON STOCK     116,564  
   
VITAMIN SHOPPE INC
   COMMON STOCK     58,870  
   
WA REAL ESTATE INVT TR
   COMMON STOCK     96,379  
   
WABASH NATL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     152,746  
   
WALTER ENERGY INC
   COMMON STOCK     100,994  
   
WEBSTER FNCL CORP WATERBURY CONN
   COMMON STOCK     133,960  
   
WESCO INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     127,776  
   
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
   COMMON STOCK     112,461  

18

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
           date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or similar party        value        value  
   
WMS INDS INC
   COMMON STOCK     88,218  
   
WOODWARD GOVERNOR CO
   COMMON STOCK     146,860  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 348,337,471  
   
 
            
   
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
            
   
METROPOLITAN
   CONTRACT #31832 INTEREST RATE 5.700%   $ 12,754,398  
   
 
          
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 12,754,398  
   
 
            
   
MUTUAL FUND
            
   
THE ADVISORS’ INNER CIRCLE
   LSV VALUE EQUITY FUND   $ 46,451,896  
   
LOOMIS SAYLES
   FIXED INCOME FUND     50,471,682  
   
PIMCO
   TOTAL RETURN FUND     124,289,139  
   
T ROWE PRICE
   LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND     51,685,677  
   
TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS
   INSTITUTIONAL FOREIGN EQUITY SERIES     35,710,678  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2005     4,607,833  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2010     3,870,583  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2015     22,266,655  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2020     8,336,744  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2025     32,718,888  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2030     6,286,056  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2035     40,939,846  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2040     10,194,157  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2045     36,887,536  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2050     10,779,413  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT INCOME FUND     5,981,124  
   
 
          
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 491,477,907  
   
 
            
   
TOTAL PLAN INVESTMENTS AT FAIR VALUE
       $ 1,479,195,163  
   
 
          
   
 
            
*  
PARTICIPANT LOANS
            
   
CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
   LOANS ISSUED AT INTEREST RATES BETWEEN        
   
 
   4.25% — 9.25% WITH VARIOUS MATURITIES   $ 39,484,978  
 
*   PARTY-IN-INTEREST
HISTORICAL COST INFORMATION IN COLUMN (D) IS NOT PRESENTED SINCE THE INVESTMENTS DISPLAYED ARE PARTICIPANT-DIRECTED.

19

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the Plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
 		  
  By   /s/ Marc Kilbride    
    (Marc Kilbride, Chairman of the Benefits Committee   
    of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Plan Administrator)   
 
June 15, 2011

20