CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) delivered solid first-quarter results for 2026, driven by aggressive infrastructure investment and a rapidly expanding industrial footprint in its core Texas markets.
The Houston-based utility reported GAAP net income of $316 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, up from $0.45 in the prior-year period.
On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share (EPS) rose to $0.56, compared to $0.53 in the first quarter of 2025, meeting analyst expectations.
The quarter’s growth was fueled by $0.11 per share in favorability from organic rate base expansion and regulatory recoveries.
These gains successfully offset headwinds, including $0.02 from milder weather, $0.04 in higher interest expenses, and a $0.03 variance related to the strategic divestiture of its natural gas businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The focal point of the report was the company’s dramatic update to its load growth projections.
CenterPoint announced 12.2 gigawatts (GW) of firmly committed industrial load within its Houston Electric service territory.
Furthermore, the company increased its data center load forecast, now expecting to energize 8 GW of data center projects by 2029—a significant portion of which (3.5 GW) is already under construction.
CenterPoint also reaffirmed its full-year 2026 non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.89 to $1.91, representing 8% growth over 2025 at the midpoint.