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CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) logo

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

S&P 500
CNP|Utilities|Utilities - Regulated Electric|$41.72|P/E 25.7|MCap 27.3B|NYSE

Last update: May 9, 2026 at 09:32

Dividend Safety Rating

68/ 100Safe

CNP's dividend appears safe and well-supported. Strengths include a 54.6% earnings payout ratio & 21.7% fcf payout ratio. Areas of concern: 2.4x interest coverage & Volatile profit margin stability. As a utility, higher payout ratios and leverage are typical for this regulated sector.

Based on 15 of 15 metrics

Strengths

  • Earnings Payout Ratio: 54.6%Low earnings payout ratio leaves room to grow the dividend.
  • FCF Payout Ratio: 21.7%Free cash flow comfortably covers the dividend.
  • CFO Payout Ratio: 23.5%Operating cash flow strongly supports the payout.

Risks

  • Interest Coverage: 2.4xInterest coverage is thin relative to debt servicing.
  • Profit Margin Stability: VolatileProfit margins have been volatile.

Payout & Coverage

Safe
Earnings Payout Ratio
54.6%Very Safe
FCF Payout Ratio
21.7%Very Safe
CFO Payout Ratio
23.5%Very Safe
Interest Coverage
2.4xWarning

Balance Sheet

Caution
Net Debt / Total Assets
49.3%Caution
Current Ratio
1.2xCaution
Debt-to-Equity
215.6Caution

Profitability

Caution
Return on Equity
9.6%Caution
Operating Margin
22.0%Safe
Gross Margin
41.6%Safe
Profit Margin Stability
VolatileWarning

Dividend Track Record

Safe
Dividend Streak
11+ yrsVery Safe
Dividend Cut
NoneVery Safe
5-Year Dividend CAGR
3.5%Caution
Earnings Stability
Mostly StableCaution

About CenterPoint Energy Inc.

CenterPoint Energy Inc. is a public utility holding company that operates regulated electric transmission and distribution, power generation, and natural gas distribution businesses across multiple states in the United States. It serves metered customers primarily in Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio through its Electric and Natural Gas segments, with a significant presence in the Houston area via its Houston Electric operations. The Electric segment delivers transmission and distribution services to customers, manages electric generation assets, and optimizes resources in the wholesale power market. The Natural Gas segment handles intrastate sales, transportation, and distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial users. As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy Inc. focuses on enhancing system reliability, safety, and resiliency to support growing demand in its service territories.

Dividend Overview

Dividend Yield

2.13%

Annual Dividend

$0.89

Frequency

Quarterly

Payout Ratio

54.60%

FCF Payout Ratio

21.74%

Stock Price

$41.72

52-Week Range

$35.46 $44.47

Dividend History (2016–2025)

CNP annual dividend per share and yield history

Earnings & Profitability

CNP earnings per share and net profit margin

Key Dates

Next Ex-Dividend Date

May 21, 2026

Next Payment Date

June 11, 2026

Dividend Growth

3-Year Dividend CAGR

7.93%

5-Year Dividend CAGR

3.53%

10-Year Dividend CAGR

-1.17%

3-Year Total Growth

25.71%

5-Year Total Growth

18.92%

10-Year Total Growth

-11.11%

Income Calculator

CNP Dividend Calculator

Total Investment

$4,172.00

Annual Income

$89.00

Quarterly Income

$22.25

Monthly Income

$7.42

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CNP's current dividend yield?
CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) currently has a dividend yield of 2.13%, based on a stock price of $41.72 and an annual dividend of $0.89.
When is CNP's next dividend payment date?
CNP's next ex-dividend date is 2026-05-21 and the next payment date is 2026-06-11. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payment.
How much does CNP pay in dividends per year?
CenterPoint Energy Inc. paid $0.88 per share in annual dividends in 2025. The dividends are paid quarterly.
Has CNP been increasing its dividend?
CenterPoint Energy Inc. has grown its dividend at a 5-year CAGR of 3.53% and a 10-year CAGR of -1.17%.
Is CNP's dividend safe?
CenterPoint Energy Inc. has a payout ratio of 54.60%. Its free cash flow payout ratio is 21.74%. A payout ratio below 60% is generally considered sustainable.
How is CNP's Dividend Safety Rating calculated?
The Dividend Safety Rating evaluates CenterPoint Energy Inc.'s dividend sustainability across four categories: Payout & Coverage (30%), Balance Sheet (20%), Profitability (20%), and Dividend Track Record (30%). Each metric is rated from "Very Safe" to "Danger" based on industry-standard thresholds, with sector-specific adjustments for utilities companies. The overall score ranges from 0 to 100.

Want to understand how we rate dividend safety? Read our full methodology

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This page is not investment advice. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Financial data, including dividend history, earnings, balance sheet metrics, and the Dividend Safety Rating, is provided for informational purposes only. Data may be delayed or differ from official filings. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always verify with official sources before making investment decisions.

Market data provided by Twelve Data.