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CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy owns a portfolio of businesses. Its regulated electric utilities provide transmission and distribution services to more than 2.5 million customers in the Houston area, southern Indiana, and west central Ohio. The company has natural gas distribution systems serving approximately 4 million customers.

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Energy commodity prices fall; Hurricane Beryl has minimal impact on gas prices; LNG facilities face operational challenges.

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SHEL

Hurricane Beryl expected to weaken into tropical storm after hitting Texas, causing power outages and flight cancellations, while oil ports close.

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What&#39;s in the Cards for PNM Resources This Earnings Season?

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CenterPoint Energy reports strong Q4 earnings, sells gas assets for $1.2B to fuel capital expansion and increases 10-year investment plan to $44.5B.

CenterPoint Energy Discloses $1.2B Sale of Gas Assets, Fuels Capital Expansion Plans After Q4 Results

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BMO Capital analyst James Thalacker maintains CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $33 to $32.

Price Target

BMO Capital Maintains Outperform on CenterPoint Energy, Lowers Price Target to $32

Keybanc analyst Sophie Karp maintains CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $33 to $31.

Keybanc Maintains Overweight on CenterPoint Energy, Lowers Price Target to $31

In the latest quarter, 6 analysts provided ratings for CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $30.83, with a high estimate of $33.00 and a low estimate of $29.00. This current average reflects an increase of 0.52% from the previous average price target of $30.67. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721221240_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive CenterPoint Energy is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Byrd</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Byrd</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Byrd</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sophie Karp</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Weisel</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to CenterPoint Energy. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of CenterPoint Energy compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of CenterPoint Energy's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into CenterPoint Energy's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNP/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on CenterPoint Energy analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About CenterPoint Energy</h2>
CenterPoint Energy owns a portfolio of businesses. Its regulated electric utilities provide transmission and distribution services to more than 2.5 million customers in the Houston area, southern Indiana, and west central Ohio. The company has natural gas distribution systems serving approximately 4 million customers.
<h3>CenterPoint Energy's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, CenterPoint Energy faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -5.72% in revenue growth as of 31 March, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: CenterPoint Energy's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 13.36%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): CenterPoint Energy's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.56%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): CenterPoint Energy's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.88%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: CenterPoint Energy's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 1.92, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

6 Analysts Assess CenterPoint Energy: What You Need To Know

Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd downgrades CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) from Overweight to Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $30 to $29.

Downgrades

Morgan Stanley Downgrades CenterPoint Energy to Equal-Weight, Lowers Price Target to $29

CenterPoint Energy Has Restored Power To 95% Of Customers Impacted By Hurricane Beryl; Says Have Work Underway To Address Governor Abbott's Requests

PG&amp;E Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pcg#NYSE">PCG</a>) is poised to benefit from positive developments like steady infrastructural investments, the addition of clean energy projects and initiatives to build California&#39;s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Let&#39;s focus on the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock a good investment option at the moment.
<h3>Rising Estimates</h3>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PCG&#39;s 2024 and 2025 earnings per share implies growth of 9.8% and 8.4%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PCG&#39;s 2024 and 2025 sales indicates a rise of 4.9% and 4.1%, respectively, from the prior-year figures.
<h3>Better-Than-Industry Returns&nbsp;</h3>
PCG&#39;s return on invested capital has outperformed the industry&#39;s average in the trailing 12 months. ROIC of PCG was 5.05% compared with the industry average of 3.41%. The company has been investing effectively in profitable projects, which is evident from its ROIC.
PCG&#39;s trailing 12-month return on equity is 11.32%, ahead of the industry&#39;s average of 9.72%. Return on equity, a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company utilizes its shareholders&#39; funds to generate income.
<h3>Capital Expenditure</h3>
PG&amp;E continues to make considerable investments in gas-related projects and electric system safety and reliability to further strengthen its grid and thereby boost customer satisfaction. To this end, the company invested $9.8 billion in 2023. Looking ahead, management aims to make investments worth $10.4 billion in 2024. For 2024-2028, the company expects to invest $62 billion.
<h3>Solvency Ratio</h3>
The times interest earned ratio at the end of first-quarter 2024 is 1.42, which indicates financial strength of the company and its ability to meet short-term obligations or dues within the next 12 months.
<h3>Price Movement</h3>
In the past three months, PCG&#39;s shares have risen 6.3% compared with the&nbsp;industry&#39;s growth of 3.6%.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/b7/71087.jpg?v=919184366" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h3>Other Key Picks</h3>
Some other top-ranked stocks from the same industry are CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cnp#NYSE">CNP</a>), FirstEnergy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fe#NYSE">FE</a>) and Consolidated Edison (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ed#NYSE">ED</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CenterPoint Energy, FirstEnergy and Consolidated Edison&#39;s 2024 earnings reflects year-over-year growth of 8%, 5.1% and 3.1%, respectively.
The long-term (three-to-five years) earnings growth rate of CenterPoint Energy, FirstEnergy, and Consolidated Edison is 7%, 5.9% and 7.4%, respectively.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2300081/reasons-to-add-pg-e-pcg-stock-to-your-portfolio-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2300081">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Reasons to Add PG&E Stock to Your Portfolio Now

As Of 1 p.m. CT, CenterPoint Has Restored Electricity To More Than 914,000 Customers, Representing 40% Of The Customers Impacted By Hurricane Beryl

Energy commodity prices experienced another session of declines on Tuesday, despite investor concerns over potential supply <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/07/39668096/hurricane-beryl-expected-to-weaken-to-tropical-storm-as-it-hits-texas">disruptions from Hurricane Beryl.</a>
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude, tracked by the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>), fell for the third straight session, dropping 0.9% to $81.5. Similarly, Henry Hub natural gas prices, represented by the United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNG#NYSE">UNG</a>), fell 1.1%, erasing Monday&#8217;s gains entirely.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Minimal Impact Of Hurricane Beryl</h3>
Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the southern United States on Monday morning as a category one hurricane, resulting in eight fatalities and disrupting power for over 2 million people in Texas. However, it was downgraded to a tropical storm shortly afterward.
According to a Natural Gas Intelligence report, major ports along the upper Texas coast were set to reopen on Tuesday as cleanup operations continued, but a key LNG export facility remained closed. 
&#8220;The overall impact on natural gas prices appeared to be minimal,&#8221; managing editor Caroline Davies stated.
Natural Gas Intelligence explained that Gulf Coast storms no longer significantly impact the offshore oil and gas industry due to the rise of unconventional drilling, which has unlocked substantial reserves in the Lower 48 states.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">LNG Facilities Face Operational Challenges Amid Hurricane Beryl</h3>
Nevertheless, most U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity is situated in Texas and Louisiana. The Freeport LNG Development LP facility, located about 50 miles from Matagorda, shut down on Sunday in anticipation of Beryl. 
Freeport relies on the electricity grid for power, which is supplied by Centerpoint Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>).
A company&#8217;s spokesperson informed Natural Gas Intelligence that production at Freeport LNG's liquefaction facility remains ramped down following Hurricane Beryl. 
Feed gas demand fell to nearly zero from 1.6 Bcf/d, and flows remained below 1% capacity utilization as of Tuesday, according to NGI's U.S. LNG Export Flow Tracker data.
Corpus Christi, located about 250 miles south of Freeport and home to Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>)'s Corpus Christi LNG facility, was unaffected by Beryl.
Temporary outages also impacted Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMI#NYSE">KMI</a>)&#8217;s Dayton and West Clear Lake storage facilities near Houston. A company&#8217;s spokesperson revealed Natural Gas Intelligence that West Clear Lake has resumed service, while Dayton remains offline due to ongoing power outages in the area.
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Image: Unsplash

Why Hurricane Beryl Hasn't Triggered Natural Gas Price Hikes So Far

Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/agr#NYSE">AGR</a>) is among the largest solar and wind generators in the United States with operations in 24 U.S. states. Its long-term capital expenditure plans, strategic investments for expansion in clean energy, share repurchase and low debt will boost the performance of the company.
AGR currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Let&#39;s take a look at the factors that could impact the performance of the company.
<h3>Tailwinds</h3>
Avangrid continues to pursue its organic growth strategy. In the first quarter of 2024, the company submitted proposals in the tri-state off-shore wind request for proposals. It executes its multi-rate plans in New York and Maine to increase its top-line growth.
The company also focuses on regulated and contracted investments to ensure earnings growth. It launched a new electric vehicle portal and self-service payment tool, which helps increase customer satisfaction, reduce costs to customers and improve cash flow.
AGR invested $3 billion in 2023, to upgrade its Networks segment, renewables segment and others. It further invested $872 million in the first quarter of 2024.
The company is focused on the Vineyard Wind 1 project, an 806 MW utility-scale offshore wind project in Lease Area 501. The project is expected to generate an amount of clean energy equivalent to that used by more than 400,000 households and businesses in Massachusetts and reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year. The company plans to create a clean-generation portfolio and achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon neutrality goals by 2035.
<h3>Headwinds</h3>
The company is highly regulated, with &ndash; numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations. The changes in the existing or new laws or regulations. The cost of compliance with the regulations could increase the cost of operations. Even though the regulated utilities have provisions in place to recover the costs, increased costs might significantly affect its earnings.
<h3>Price Performance</h3>
Shares of Avangrid have gained 5% in the past six months compared with the industry&#39;s 2% growth.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/12/70750.jpg?v=1389622701" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h3>Stocks to Consider</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ida#NYSE">IDA</a>), Vistra Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vst#NYSE">VST</a>) and CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cnp#NYSE">CNP</a>). Vistra Corporation currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while CenterPoint Energy and IDACORP carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), each, at present.
IDACORP has a dividend yield of 3.6%. The consensus estimate for earnings for 2024 and 2025 has gone up 0.19% and 0.35% respectively, in the last 30 days.
Vistra has a dividend yield of 0.97%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2024 and 2025 earnings per share increased nearly 3.95% and 18.24%, respectively, in the last 30 days.
CenterPoint&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth is pinned at 7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 8% and 7.28%, respectively.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2298601/avangrid-agr-gains-from-infrastructure-renewable-investment?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|zer_report_update-2298601">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Avangrid Gains From Infrastructure & Renewable Investment

Hurricane Beryl is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39587521/pete-buttigieg-hurricane-beryl-is-proving-to-be-a-highly-destructive-storm">forecast to weaken </a>into a tropical storm after making landfall early Monday near Matagorda, Texas, a coastal town about 55 miles southwest of the oil and gas hub of Houston.
The storm led to the closure of oil ports, hundreds of flight cancellations and thousands of homes in the state without power. But it&#8217;s expected to weaken further into a tropical depression on Tuesday as it moves inland, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
The hurricane pummeled Jamaica, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines last week, causing at least 11 deaths and destroying buildings and power lines, Reuters reported.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39581491/whats-going-on-with-cruise-stocks-as-category-4-hurricane-beryl-churns-in-the-caribbean">What&#8217;s Going On With Cruise Stocks As Category 4 Hurricane Beryl Churns In the Caribbean?</a>
It is expected to make its way over eastern parts of the state on Monday before moving into the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHC said. 
Some oil producers, including Shell plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHEL#NYSE">SHEL</a>) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), had evacuated personnel from their Gulf of Mexico offshore production platforms ahead of the storm.
About 490,000 homes and businesses in Texas lost power, according to PowerOutage.us data, as Beryl wreaked havoc on the state&#8217;s utilities, Reuters reported. Texas-based electric utility CenterPoint said in an email on Sunday that it was &#8220;closely monitoring the situation and making preparations.&#8221;
Beryl hits Texas&#8217; energy infrastructure three years after the state&#8217;s grid faltered got slammed with wintry weather in 2021, the Texas Tribune<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/07/texas-ercot-power-grid-legislature/"> reported</a>.
Price Action: Houston-based oil producers and utilities declined in Monday&#8217;s early-morning trading. Shell declined 0.25% to $73.07, while Chevron dipped 0.69% to $153.25 and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) slipped 1.15% to $112.06.
Houston-based Centerpoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) remained unchanged at $30.49.
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Image: Unsplash

CenterPoint Energy's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) short percent of float has risen 29.59% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 16.54 million shares sold short, which is 3.46% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.12 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>CenterPoint Energy Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1720184412_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for CenterPoint Energy has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing CenterPoint Energy's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, CenterPoint Energy's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.15%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into CenterPoint Energy's Recent Short Interest

CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cms#NYSE">CMS</a>) is making systematic investments to strengthen its operations and benefit by providing high-quality services to its customers. The company is also expanding its renewable generation portfolio, thereby reducing coal-generating units to further promote clean energy. 
However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is exposed to unfavorable costs associated with the shutdown of solid waste disposal facilities for coal ash and fluctuating commodity prices, which act as a headwind.
<h3>Tailwinds</h3>
CMS Energy is investing heavily in infrastructure renovations, infrastructure replacements and clean power production to increase customer satisfaction and improve the resiliency of its operation. CMS Energy plans to make capital expenditures worth $17 billion during the 2024-2028 period. 
CMS Energy intends to install roughly 8,000 MW of solar production by 2040. It also plans to deploy battery storage, beginning in 2024, with 75 MW of energy storage by 2027 and an additional 475 MW by 2040. The company has also announced intentions to build an 85 MW solar array at the former D.E. Karn coal-generating facility. The facility is anticipated to be operational by 2026. Such measures should help CMS Energy expand its renewable energy generation portfolio. 
Like other utility service providers, CMS Energy is increasingly focusing on making grids more resilient and reliable to support a smooth transition of the industry toward more clean energy adoption, reduce outages for their customers and protect their infrastructure against severe weather conditions, thereby reducing operating costs. A decline in operating costs and higher availability of electricity in its systems will enhance its earnings.
<h3>Headwinds</h3>
As environmental laws on reducing carbon emissions during electricity generation become more stringent, there is still cause for concern despite the fact that the company&#39;s power-generating facilities have implemented many pollution control measures. Approximately 20% of its overall power mix was made up of coal as of Dec 31, 2023. CMS incurs considerable expenditures associated with the development, operation and closure of solid waste disposal facilities for coal ash. In order to comply with these laws, consumers anticipate that the company will need to spend $238 million between 2024 and 2028. 
CMS Energy does not always protect all of its activities against fluctuations in commodity prices. Variations in commodity prices might negatively impact CMS Energy&#39;s operational performance if the company has unhedged positions.
<h3>Stocks to Consider</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks from the same industry are CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cnp#NYSE">CNP</a>), IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ida#NYSE">IDA</a>) and Consolidated Edison (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ed#NYSE">ED</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
CenterPoint Energy&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company&#39;s 2024 sales indicates an improvement of 1% from the prior-year reported figure.
IDACORP delivered an average earnings surprise of 6.81% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IDA&#39;s 2024 sales suggests an increase of 1.1% from the prior-year reported figure.
Consolidated Edison&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED&#39;s 2024 sales calls for an improvement of 3.1% from the prior-year reported figure.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2296494/cms-energy-cms-rides-on-investments-and-renewable-expansion?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|zer_report_update-2296494">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

BMO Capital analyst James Thalacker maintains CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $32 to $33.

BMO Capital Maintains Outperform on CenterPoint Energy, Raises Price Target to $33

Shares for air conditioner manufacturers and utility companies are rising with the temperatures <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39401498/extreme-heat-waves-set-to-drive-up-us-natural-gas-prices-10-energy-stocks-to-watch-this-summer">as a heat wave</a> that has scorched the Midwest makes its way to the South.
What Happened: A major heat wave that brought sweltering temperatures to the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic for more than a week is now headed to the South, as the more northern regions face severe storms and widespread floods, NPR <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/06/22/g-s1-5772/heat-wave-storms-midwest-east-coast">reported</a>.
As of Sunday, more than 123 million people across multiple U.S. states were under heat advisories including South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
The Midwest began to see temperatures fall this weekend, while a heat wave In the South that is forecast to take temperatures over 100 degrees is expected to appear early this week, according to NPR.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39410137/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-say-hold-these-3-utilities-stocks-with-over-5-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Say Hold These 3 Utilities Stocks With Over 5% Dividend Yields</a>
The extreme temperatures are caused by a heat dome — a high pressure system that pushes hot air down and traps it — that is becoming more common and intense due to climate change.
Some parts of Mississippi experienced heat indexes of 105 to 110 degrees on Sunday and the scorching temperatures will last through Tuesday,&nbsp;The National Weather Service in Jackson said. 
The heat index is forecast to exceed 100 degrees in middle Tennessee from Sunday to Tuesday, according to NWS Nashville.
Meteorologists in Arkansas said Little Rock and surrounding areas were under &#8220;extreme risk&#8221; on Monday and Tuesday, NPR reported.
Price action: Generac Holdings Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNRC#NYSE">GNRC</a>) gained 1.66% by Monday&#8217;s mid-day trading, while Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIX#NYSE">FIX</a>) ticked up 0.34% and Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WSO#NYSE">WSO</a>) improved 1.36%. Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LII#NYSE">LII</a>) gained 1.02% and Carrier Holdings Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARR#NYSE">CARR</a>) jumped 3.19%.
Utilities also rose with the heat on Monday by mid-day. American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NASDAQ">AEP</a>), which provides electricity to 11 states in the Midwest and the South, gained 0.97, while CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>), which also makes energy for these regions, edged up 0.74%. Entergy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>), which provides service to Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, is up 1.74%. CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMS#NYSE">CMS</a>), a Michigan utility, gained 1.5% by mid-day.
Read Now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39410137/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-say-hold-these-3-utilities-stocks-with-over-5-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Say Hold These 3 Utilities Stocks With Over 5% Dividend Yields</a>
Photo: <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Kagool">Marc Bruxelle</a> via Shutterstock

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 4 analysts have published ratings on CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) in the last three months.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for CenterPoint Energy, presenting an average target of $30.75, a high estimate of $33.00, and a low estimate of $29.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 0.82% increase from the previous average price target of $30.50.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1719241268_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive CenterPoint Energy is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Byrd</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Byrd</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sophie Karp</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Weisel</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to CenterPoint Energy. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of CenterPoint Energy compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of CenterPoint Energy's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of CenterPoint Energy's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNP/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on CenterPoint Energy analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About CenterPoint Energy</h2>
CenterPoint Energy owns a portfolio of businesses. Its regulated electric utilities provide transmission and distribution services to more than 2.5 million customers in the Houston area, southern Indiana, and west central Ohio. The company has natural gas distribution systems serving approximately 4 million customers.
<h3>CenterPoint Energy's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining CenterPoint Energy's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 31 March, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -5.72% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 13.36%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): CenterPoint Energy's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 3.56% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): CenterPoint Energy's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.88%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: CenterPoint Energy's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 1.92, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What 4 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About CenterPoint Energy

Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd maintains CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $31 to $30.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on CenterPoint Energy, Lowers Price Target to $30

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aep#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) is deploying systematic investments in infrastructural upgrades to enhance the reliability of its operations, which will allow it to serve its utility customers efficiently. The company is also making consistent investments to expand its renewable generation portfolio. 
However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company faces risks like rising interest rates and an unfavorable financial position, which act as a headwind.
<h3>Tailwinds</h3>
American Electric has a capital investment plan of $43 billion for the 2024-2028 period to strengthen its grid and thereby boost customer reliability. AEP expects this systematic investment to support it in achieving long-term earnings growth of 6-7%. 
The company operates the United States&#39; biggest electricity transmission system consisting of roughly 40,000 circuit miles of transmission lines. It has around 225,000 miles of distribution lines. In this respect, American Electric intends to invest roughly $27.3 billion in its transmission and distribution operations between 2024 and 2028 to build a more efficient grid and provide consumers with tailored energy solutions. 
In clean energy space, as of Mar 31, 2024, AEP has regulatory nods from several state regulatory commissions to purchase 2,811 megawatts of owned renewable generation facilities for a total estimated cost of $6.6 billion. It plans to invest $9.4 billion in controlled renewable expansion between 2024 and 2028. This should further boost its renewable generation portfolio in the coming years.
<h3>Headwinds</h3>
Since utility firms like American Electric Power finance their operations through a combination of short and long-term borrowing, the nation&#39;s increased interest rate environment remains a headwind for AEP in the form of higher interest expenses. In the first quarter of 2024, the company&#39;s interest expenditure increased by 4.8% year over year. If American Electric continues to face such escalating interest costs, it might adversely affect its financial situation in the near future. 
As of Mar 31, 2024, American Electric had $38.64 billion in long-term debt, while its cash equivalents totaled $0.50 billion. As of the same date, its current debt was $4.94 billion. As both AEP&#39;s current and long-term debt levels remained far greater than its cash reserve, the company seems to have a weak position with respect to its solvency.
<h3>Stocks to Consider</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks from the same industry are CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cnp#NYSE">CNP</a>), Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pnw#NYSE">PNW</a>) and Consolidated Edison (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ed#NYSE">ED</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. 
CenterPoint Energy&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company&#39;s 2024 sales indicates an improvement of 1% from the prior-year reported figure. 
Pinnacle West Capital&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 8.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PNW&#39;s 2024 sales suggests an improvement of 4% from the prior-year reported figure. 
Consolidated Edison&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED&#39;s 2024 sales calls for an improvement of 3.1% from the prior-year reported figure. 
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2290247/american-electric-aep-rides-on-investments-interest-rate-woes?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|zer_report_update-2290247">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

CenterPoint Energy's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) short percent of float has risen 5.53% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 12.76 million shares sold short, which is 2.67% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.52 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>CenterPoint Energy Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1718720115_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for CenterPoint Energy has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing CenterPoint Energy's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, CenterPoint Energy's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.08%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Peering Into CenterPoint Energy's Recent Short Interest

Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd maintains CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $29 to $31.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on CenterPoint Energy, Raises Price Target to $31

Analysts' ratings for CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 5 analysts.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $30.4, a high estimate of $33.00, and a low estimate of $29.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 0.65% lower than the prior average price target of $30.60. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1716213674_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look</h2>
The perception of CenterPoint Energy by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sophie Karp</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Weisel</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shahriar Pourreza</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Crowdell</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to CenterPoint Energy. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of CenterPoint Energy compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for CenterPoint Energy's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into CenterPoint Energy's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNP/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on CenterPoint Energy analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering CenterPoint Energy: A Closer Look</h2>
CenterPoint Energy owns a portfolio of businesses. Its regulated electric utilities provide transmission and distribution services to more than 2.5 million customers in the Houston area, southern Indiana, and west central Ohio. The company has natural gas distribution systems serving approximately 4 million customers.
<h3>Key Indicators: CenterPoint Energy's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Challenges: CenterPoint Energy's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 31 March, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -5.72%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: CenterPoint Energy's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 13.36%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): CenterPoint Energy's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.56%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): CenterPoint Energy's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 0.88%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: CenterPoint Energy's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 1.92, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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