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): MAY 4, 2006

                         ------------------------------

                            CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                TEXAS                     1-31447              74-0694415
    (State or other jurisdiction        (Commission           (IRS Employer
          of incorporation)             File Number)        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 May 4, 2006, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy")
reported first quarter 2006 earnings. For additional information regarding
CenterPoint Energy's first quarter 2006 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 May 4, 2006 regarding
                           CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s first quarter 2006
                           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:  May 4, 2006                       By: /s/ James S. Brian
                                            ------------------------------
                                                  James S. Brian
                                                  Senior Vice President and
                                                  Chief Accounting Officer



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                EXHIBIT
                 NUMBER    EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

                 99.1      Press Release issued May 4, 2006 regarding
                           CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s first quarter 2006
                           earnings