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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, 2008
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 1-3187
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 13
 
    
   
 
    
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.

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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, 2008 and 2007, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2008. 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, 2008 and 2007, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2008 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 22, 2009

1

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
                
ASSETS
                
Investments, at fair value (see Note 2)
   $ 1,050,017,933     $ 1,378,050,376  
Participant loans
     33,813,468       34,276,898  
 
                
Receivables:
                
Employer contributions
     15,848,402       14,231,346  
Participant contributions
     1,077,562       1,035,374  
Dividends and interest
     523,333       618,995  
Pending investment transactions
     155,975       365,968  
Rollover contributions
     —       747  
 
            
Total receivables
     17,605,272       16,252,430  
 
            
Total Assets
     1,101,436,673       1,428,579,704  
 
            
 
                
LIABILITIES
                
Pending investment transactions
     143,390       133,255  
Other
     402,234       352,530  
 
            
Total Liabilities
     545,624       485,785  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AT FAIR VALUE
     1,100,891,049       1,428,093,919  
 
                
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
     14,116,225       853,123  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
   $ 1,115,007,274     $ 1,428,947,042  
 
            
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

2

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
         
Investment Income (Loss), Net:
        
Dividends
   $ 37,677,175  
Interest on loans to participants
     2,590,940  
Net depreciation of investments (see Note 3)
     (353,659,780 )
 
      
Total Investment Loss
     (313,391,665 )
 
      
 
        
Contributions:
        
Participant contributions
     45,370,821  
Employer contributions
     39,024,977  
Rollover contributions
     2,909,304  
 
      
Total Contributions
     87,305,102  
 
      
 
        
Expenses:
        
Administrative expenses
     2,987,721  
Benefit payments
     84,865,484  
 
      
Total Expenses
     87,853,205  
 
      
 
        
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
     (313,939,768 )
 
        
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
        
 
        
BEGINNING OF YEAR
     1,428,947,042  
 
      
 
        
END OF YEAR
   $ 1,115,007,274  
 
      
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

3

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
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 U.S. sourced income (Participants).
(b) Contributions
Prior to 2009, active Participants could contribute, on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, up to 16% of eligible compensation, not to exceed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) compensation limit as defined in the Plan. Effective January 1, 2009, the pre-tax contribution limit increased to 50% of eligible compensation while the after-tax limit remains unchanged. Active Participants age 50 or over may contribute an additional pre-tax contribution not to exceed the IRS limit ($5,000 for 2008); however, the Company generally does not provide the basic match or the discretionary match on such “catch-up” contributions, unless, beginning in 2009, 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.
Effective January 1, 2008, 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 for a period of 12 months beginning immediately following the commencement date of the Automatic Contribution. The contribution percentage is increased by an increment of one percent in each subsequent 12-month period up to 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 at least 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.
Prior to 2009, the Company generally provided a basic matching contribution of 75% of the first six percent of eligible compensation that the Participant contributed to the Plan, and additional discretionary matching contributions could be up to 50% of the first six percent of eligible compensation that the Participant contributed to the Plan. Effective January 1, 2009, the employer matching contribution is 100% of the first six percent of eligible compensation, and the discretionary match has been discontinued. All employer matching contributions are fully vested at all times.

4

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
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 Company common stock 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.
(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 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 (as permitted), 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 100% vested in all contributions and actual earnings thereon. As a result, there are no forfeitures.

5

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(f) Participant Loans
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.
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. Loans may be repaid over a period of up to five years and are subject to a $25 origination fee. The minimum loan amount is $500. 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) the Participant loans fund.
(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 to have 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 70 1/2, 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 59 1/2 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 59 1/2 and has less than five years of service who withdraws matched after-tax contributions will be suspended from Plan participation for six months. A Participant who is age 59 1/2 or older may make unlimited withdrawals from pre-tax contributions, after-tax contributions, vested portion of prior Plan accounts, rollover account and the associated earnings.
(h) Administration
The assets of the Plan are held in trust by The Northern Trust Company (Trustee). Hewitt Associates 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. The fees charged by the Trustee, recordkeeper and the investment consultant are paid by the Trustee out of 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.

6

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(b) Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2008, the Plan adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This pronouncement did not require any new fair value measurements. In February 2008, the Plan adopted FASB Staff Position (FSP) SFAS No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (FSP SFAS No. 157-2), which defers the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are not disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. FSP SFAS No. 157-2 did not defer the recognition and disclosure requirements for financial or non-financial assets and liabilities that are measured at least annually. In October 2008, FSP SFAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active (FSP SFAS No. 157-3) was issued and effective for periods for which financial statements have not been issued. This FSPs guidance clarifies various application issues with respect to the objective of a fair value measurement, distressed transactions, relevance of observable data, and the use of management’s assumptions. The adoption of SFAS No. 157, FSP SFAS No. 157-2, and FSP SFAS No. 157-3 did not have any effect on the changes in net assets or the financial position of the Plan.
In April 2009, FSP SFAS No.157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP SFAS No. 157-4) was issued. Under FSP SFAS No. 157-4, if the reporting entity has determined that the volume and level of market activity has significantly decreased and transactions are not orderly, further analysis is required and adjustments to the quoted prices or transactions might be needed. FSP SFAS No. 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009; the Company is currently evaluating the impact on the Plan’s financial statements.
(c) Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan recognizes net appreciation or depreciation in the fair value of its investments. 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.
As described in FASB Staff Position AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1, Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined-Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plan (FSP AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1), investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value; however, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts, because contract value is the amount Participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. As required by FSP AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1, 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.

7

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
(d) Fair Value Measurements
SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 are described below:
  Level 1   Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
 
  Level 2   Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
  •   Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
 
  •   Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
 
  •   Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;
 
  •   Inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means.
  Level 3   Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
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. The valuation methodology used in determining the fund’s unit value generally involves the use of significant observable inputs other than the unadjusted quoted price in the active market for identical assets or liabilities.
 
  •   Participant loans: Valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair 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

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2008:
                                 
    Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
     
Mutual funds
   $ 295,757,030     $ —     $ —     $ 295,757,030  
Common or collective trust funds
             462,270,903               462,270,903  
Common stocks
     280,055,486                       280,055,486  
Guaranteed investment contracts
                     11,934,514       11,934,514  
Participant loans
                     33,813,468       33,813,468  
     
Total assets at fair value
   $ 575,812,516     $ 462,270,903     $ 45,747,982     $ 1,083,831,401  
     
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, 2008:
                 
    Level 3 Assets
    Year Ended December 31, 2008
    Guaranteed    
    Investment   Participant
    Contract   Loans
     
Balance, beginning of year
   $ —     $ 34,276,898  
Realized gains/(losses)
     —       —  
Unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
     1,835,306       —  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net)
     10,099,208       (463,430 )
     
Balance, end of year
   $ 11,934,514     $ 33,813,468  
     
(e) Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.

9

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
3.   Investments
 
    The following presents investments that represent five percent or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.
                 
    December 31,
    2008   2007
 
                
Company common stock,
21,352,777 and 20,511,903 shares, respectively
   $ 269,472,045     $ 351,368,898  
 
                
Dwight Target 2 Fund,
6,531,619 and 5,366,503 shares, respectively
     108,741,698       90,488,518  
 
                
Barclays Global Investors Equity Index Fund,
7,058,831 and 6,997,313 shares, respectively
     97,482,463       153,101,219  
 
                
PIMCO Total Return Fund,
8,712,912 and 8,184,117 shares, respectively
     88,348,927       87,488,217  
 
                
Advisors Inner Circle LSV Value Equity Fund,
3,297,305 and 4,114,156 shares, respectively
     33,203,864       70,763,476  
    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 2008 the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) depreciated in value as follows:
         
Common stocks
   $ (100,544,065 )
Common or collective trust funds
     (108,434,600 )
Mutual funds
     (144,681,115 )
 
      
Total investment depreciation
   $ (353,659,780 )
 
      
    Stable Value Fund
 
    The Stable Value Fund has investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (Synthetic GICs). Synthetic GICs are investment contracts issued by an insurance company or bank, backed by a portfolio of short-term and intermediate term fixed income investments that are owned by the fund. The underlying assets are maintained separate from the contract issuer’s general assets by a third-party custodian. The contracts provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the fund, but rather are amortized, usually over the time to maturity or the duration of the underlying investments, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rate. The issuer guarantees that all qualified Participant withdrawals will occur at contract value.
 
    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. Crediting rates for Synthetic GICs cannot be less than zero.
 
    During 2008 and 2007, the average yields for the Synthetic GICs were as follows:
                 
    2008   2007
Based on actual earnings
     5.79 %     5.48 %
Based on the interest rate credited to Participants
     3.73 %     4.80 %

10

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
    Benefit-responsive investment contracts are designed to preserve capital and provide a stable crediting rate. Such contracts are fully benefit-responsive and 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.
 
4.   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.
 
5.   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.
 
6.   Related Party Transactions
 
    During 2008, 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
   $ 69,764,781  
 
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     405,941,142  
           
Sales
Company common stock
   $ 57,321,032  
 
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     391,247,018  
7.   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:
                 
    2008     2007  
 
                
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ 1,115,007,274     $ 1,428,947,042  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     (14,116,225 )     (853,123 )
 
            
Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ 1,100,891,049     $ 1,428,093,919  
 
            

11

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008 and 2007
    The following is a reconciliation of the Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2008:
         
Decrease in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ (313,939,768 )
Adjustment to reverse fair value adjustment for fully benefit-responsive contracts related to prior year
     853,123  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     (14,116,225 )
 
      
Decrease in Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ (327,202,870 )
 
      
8.   Excess Contributions
 
    Benefit payments of $84,865,484 for the plan year ended December 31, 2008 include distributions of $126,993 made to certain Participants to refund excess deferral contributions to satisfy the relevant nondiscrimination provisions of the Plan for the prior year. The Plan also expects to make a refund of excess contributions in 2009 related to the nondiscrimination testing for the 2008 plan year.

12

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  COMMON OR COLLECTIVE TRUST FUNDS            
 
  BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS   EQUITY INDEX FUND   $ 97,482,463  
 
  BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS   MSCI ACWI EX US INDEX SUPERFUND     9,652,634  
 
  BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS   RUSSELL 1000 GROWTH INDEX FUND     29,582,134  
 
  BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS   RUSSELL 1000 VALUE INDEX FUND     28,861,374  
 
  BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS   RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND     9,617,694  
 
  CAPITAL GUARDIAN   US GROWTH EQUITY MASTER FUND     32,801,073  
 
  MELLON BANK   EB DAILY LIQUIDITY AGGREGATE BOND FUND     30,311,549  
 
  DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT   CORE INTER FUND     34,798,082  
 
  DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT   TARGET 2 FUND     108,741,698  
 
  DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT   TARGET 5 FUND     38,637,048  
*
  NORTHERN TRUST   SHORT TERM INVESTMENT FUND     27,006,901  
 
  SEI   STABLE ASSET FUND     7,590,003  
 
  WELLINGTON CAPITAL   SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO     7,188,250  
 
               
 
                
 
  SUBTOTAL       $ 462,270,903  
 
                
 
  COMMON STOCK            
 
  1ST COMWLTH FNCL CORP   COMMON STOCK   $ 75,766  
 
  1ST CTZNS BANCSHARES INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     71,816  
 
  99 CENTS ONLY STORES   COMMON STOCK     71,045  
 
  AARONS INC   COMMON STOCK     52,175  
 
  ACETO CORP   COMMON STOCK     41,141  
 
  AIRGAS INC   COMMON STOCK     56,146  
 
  ALBERTO-CULVER CO   COMMON STOCK     60,050  
 
  ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS INC   COMMON STOCK     45,599  
 
  ALLIED WORLD ASSURANCE   COMMON STOCK     73,892  
 
  AMEDISYS INC   COMMON STOCK     75,239  
 
  AMERICAN WTR WKS CO INC   COMMON STOCK     64,102  
 
  AMERISAFE INC   COMMON STOCK     24,636  
 
  AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORP   COMMON STOCK     44,575  
 
  AMETEK INC   COMMON STOCK     73,712  
 
  AMSURG CORP   COMMON STOCK     83,090  
 
  ANSYS INC   COMMON STOCK     61,358  
 
  ARCH CAPITAL GROUP   COMMON STOCK     74,306  
 
  ARENA RES INC   COMMON STOCK     50,562  
 
  ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS   COMMON STOCK     72,250  
 
  ARGON ST INC   COMMON STOCK     39,229  
 
  ARIBA INC   COMMON STOCK     31,796  
 
  ASCENT MEDIA CORP   COMMON STOCK     45,864  
 
  ATC TECHNOLOGY CORP   COMMON STOCK     32,332  
 
  ATHEROSMUNICATIONS INC   COMMON STOCK     35,060  
 
  AVISTA CORP   COMMON STOCK     97,288  

13

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  AXIS CAPITAL HLDGS LTD   COMMON STOCK     35,235  
 
  BAKER MICHAEL CORP   COMMON STOCK     80,833  
 
  BECKMAN COULTER INC   COMMON STOCK     29,000  
 
  BERKLEY W R CORP   COMMON STOCK     53,010  
 
  BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC   COMMON STOCK     78,076  
 
  BJS WHSL CLUB INC   COMMON STOCK     80,854  
 
  BK HAW CORP   COMMON STOCK     73,175  
 
  BROWN & BROWN INC   COMMON STOCK     37,202  
 
  CAREER ED CORP   COMMON STOCK     77,142  
 
  CASH AMER INVTS INC   COMMON STOCK     58,256  
 
  CBEYOND INC   COMMON STOCK     43,625  
 
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC   COMMON STOCK     269,472,045  
 
  CENTEX CORP   COMMON STOCK     46,390  
 
  CHATTEM INC   COMMON STOCK     35,050  
 
  CITRIX SYS INC   COMMON STOCK     28,520  
 
  CLEAN HBRS INC   COMMON STOCK     52,655  
 
  CLIFFS NAT RES INC   COMMON STOCK     17,927  
 
  COML METALS CO   COMMON STOCK     25,877  
 
  COMSTOCK RES INC   COMMON STOCK     52,448  
 
  CONCUR TECHNOLOGIES INC   COMMON STOCK     45,292  
 
  CONMED CORP   COMMON STOCK     83,790  
 
  CONTL AIRL INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS B     35,578  
 
  CORE LAB   COMMON STOCK     44,895  
 
  CORP OFFICE PPTYS TR   COMMON STOCK     58,637  
 
  COVANTA HLDG CORP   COMMON STOCK     62,806  
 
  CRAWFORD & CO   COMMON STOCK CLASS B     51,181  
 
  CROWN HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     62,592  
 
  CUBIC CORP   COMMON STOCK     67,456  
 
  CVB FINL CORP   COMMON STOCK     84,490  
 
  DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP   COMMON STOCK     81,467  
 
  DENTSPLY INTL INC   COMMON STOCK     34,170  
 
  EASTGROUP PPTYS INC REIT   COMMON STOCK     67,602  
 
  EATON VANCE CORP   COMMON STOCK     39,709  
 
  EMS TECHNOLOGIES INC   COMMON STOCK     33,631  
 
  ENERGEN CORP   COMMON STOCK     34,023  
 
  ENERGY RECOVERY INC   COMMON STOCK     34,186  
 
  EQUIFAX INC   COMMON STOCK     60,731  
 
  EQUITABLE RES INC   COMMON STOCK     27,176  
 
  EXAR CORP   COMMON STOCK     53,027  
 
  EZCORP INC   COMMON STOCK     93,389  
 
  FIDELITY NATL INFORMATION SVCS INC   COMMON STOCK     65,243  
 
  FLIR SYS INC   COMMON STOCK     54,610  
 
  FLOWERS FOODS INC   COMMON STOCK     32,399  

14

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  FOSTER L B CO   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     65,062  
 
  FPIC INS GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     75,739  
 
  FREDS INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     20,444  
 
  FTI CONSULTING INC   COMMON STOCK     40,212  
 
  FUEL SYS SOLUTIONS INC   COMMON STOCK     43,243  
 
  GAMESTOP CORP NEW   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     40,721  
 
  GEN COMMUNICATION INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     67,632  
 
  GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LTD   COMMON STOCK     27,824  
 
  GENESEE & WYO INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     68,015  
 
  GEN-PROBE INC   COMMON STOCK     39,841  
 
  GREEN BANKSHARES INC   COMMON STOCK     49,469  
 
  GREEN MTN COFFEE ROASTERS   COMMON STOCK     51,471  
 
  GREENHILL & CO INC   COMMON STOCK     69,770  
 
  GUESS INC   COMMON STOCK     55,567  
 
  HANCOCK HLDG CO   COMMON STOCK     41,369  
 
  HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     50,011  
 
  HARSCO CORP   COMMON STOCK     40,413  
 
  HCC INS HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     78,913  
 
  HELMERICH & PAYNE INC   COMMON STOCK     21,613  
 
  HILLENBRAND INC   COMMON STOCK     6,839  
 
  HILLTOP HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     56,200  
 
  HOME PROPS INC   COMMON STOCK     38,570  
 
  HURON CONSULTING GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     61,852  
 
  IBERIABANK CORP   COMMON STOCK     71,520  
 
  INTERACTIVE DATA CORP   COMMON STOCK     78,172  
 
  INTERCONTINENTALEXCHANGE INC   COMMON STOCK     25,556  
 
  INTERWOVEN INC   COMMON STOCK     51,030  
 
  INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC   COMMON STOCK     39,367  
 
  INVACARE CORP   COMMON STOCK     34,454  
 
  INVESTORS BANCORP INC   COMMON STOCK     71,582  
 
  IPC HLDGS LTD USD0.01   COMMON STOCK     84,019  
 
  ITC HLDGS CORP   COMMON STOCK     70,325  
 
  ITRON INC NPV   COMMON STOCK     39,519  
 
  JETBLUE AWYS CORP   COMMON STOCK     29,749  
 
  KEARNY FINL CORP   COMMON STOCK     70,016  
 
  KNIGHT CAP GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     41,344  
 
  KOPPERS HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     41,078  
 
  LAM RESH CORP   COMMON STOCK     62,776  
 
  LUBRIZOL CORP   COMMON STOCK     51,674  
 
  MASTEC INC   COMMON STOCK     14,822  
 
  MAXIMUS INC   COMMON STOCK     51,963  
 
  MCAFEE INC   COMMON STOCK     46,670  
 
  MDU RES GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     32,802  

15

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  METROPCSMUNICATIONS INC   COMMON STOCK     63,855  
 
  MF GLOBAL LTD USD1   COMMON STOCK     36,149  
 
  MICROSEMI CORP   COMMON STOCK     23,384  
 
  MID-AMER APT CMNTYS INC   COMMON STOCK     69,118  
 
  MINDRAY MED INTL LTD   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     30,240  
 
  MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC   COMMON STOCK     30,266  
 
  MLP LAZARD LTD   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     47,881  
 
  MOOG INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     50,101  
 
  MSCI INC   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     52,214  
 
  MYRIAD GENETICS INC   COMMON STOCK     54,333  
 
  N W NAT GAS CO   COMMON STOCK     27,865  
 
  NAVIGATORS GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     107,623  
 
  NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES INC   COMMON STOCK     121,655  
 
  NGP CAP RES CO   COMMON STOCK     28,709  
 
  NJ RES CORP   COMMON STOCK     117,459  
 
  NTELOS HLDGS CORP   COMMON STOCK     35,017  
 
  NUVASIVE INC   COMMON STOCK     30,146  
 
  OCEANEERING INTL INC   COMMON STOCK     37,299  
 
  OM GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     75,785  
 
  OMNITURE INC   COMMON STOCK     42,773  
 
  ONEOK INC   COMMON STOCK     37,856  
 
  OSI PHARMACEUTICALS INC   COMMON STOCK     50,765  
 
  OWENS CORNING   COMMON STOCK     37,541  
 
  PACTIV CORP   COMMON STOCK     41,798  
 
  PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COS INC   COMMON STOCK     56,322  
 
  PEOPLES UTD FINL INC   COMMON STOCK     60,622  
 
  PERINI CORP   COMMON STOCK     71,777  
 
  PERRIGO CO   COMMON STOCK     37,480  
 
  PETMED EXPRESS INC   COMMON STOCK     72,636  
 
  PETROHAWK ENERGY CORP   COMMON STOCK     65,021  
 
  PIEDMONT NAT GAS INC   COMMON STOCK     93,742  
 
  PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     89,477  
 
  PMC SIERRA INC   COMMON STOCK     46,850  
 
  POLYCOM INC   COMMON STOCK     26,885  
 
  POTLATCH CORP NEW REIT   COMMON STOCK     58,002  
 
  POWELL INDS INC   COMMON STOCK     51,946  
 
  PRICELINE COM INC   COMMON STOCK     41,244  
 
  PRIVATEBANCORP INC   COMMON STOCK     57,779  
 
  PROASSURANCE CORP   COMMON STOCK     65,975  
 
  PROSPERITY BANCSHARES INC   COMMON STOCK     133,746  
 
  PSYCHIATRIC SOLUTIONS INC   COMMON STOCK     34,256  
 
  PULTE HOMES INC   COMMON STOCK     63,175  
 
  QUANTA SVCS INC   COMMON STOCK     47,718  

16

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  QUEST SOFTWARE INC   COMMON STOCK     41,925  
 
  RESMED INC   COMMON STOCK     63,716  
 
  ROBERT HALF INTL INC   COMMON STOCK     45,804  
 
  ROCK-TENN CO   COMMON STOCK CLASS A     118,604  
 
  S1 CORP   COMMON STOCK     35,505  
 
  SCHEIN HENRY INC   COMMON STOCK     50,632  
 
  SEI INVTS CO   COMMON STOCK     42,731  
 
  SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP   COMMON STOCK     69,252  
 
  SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO   COMMON STOCK     27,489  
 
  SIGNATURE BK NY N Y   COMMON STOCK     91,520  
 
  SILICON LABORATORIES INC   COMMON STOCK     28,001  
 
  SOUTH JERSEY INDS INC   COMMON STOCK     49,016  
 
  SPARTAN STORES INC   COMMON STOCK     71,378  
 
  SPX CORP   COMMON STOCK     45,822  
 
  STEPAN CO   COMMON STOCK     58,738  
 
  STERIS CORP   COMMON STOCK     43,241  
 
  STIFEL FINL CORP   COMMON STOCK     34,388  
 
  STRAYER ED INC   COMMON STOCK     49,314  
 
  SWS GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     108,583  
 
  SYBASE INC   COMMON STOCK     55,980  
 
  SYKES ENTERPRISES INC   COMMON STOCK     34,416  
 
  TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CTRS INC   COMMON STOCK     39,125  
 
  TELLABS INC   COMMON STOCK     42,065  
 
  TERRA INDS INC   COMMON STOCK     25,005  
 
  TEXAS INDS INC   COMMON STOCK     66,240  
 
  TRACTOR SUPPLY CO   COMMON STOCK     75,171  
 
  TREEHOUSE FOODS INC   COMMON STOCK     30,781  
 
  TRUE RELIGION APPAREL INC   COMMON STOCK     41,176  
 
  TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION   COMMON STOCK     53,345  
 
  UCBH HLDGS INC   COMMON STOCK     81,184  
 
  URBAN OUTFITTERS INC   COMMON STOCK     56,025  
 
  UTD THERAPEUTICS CORP DEL   COMMON STOCK     40,658  
 
  VAALCO ENERGY INC   COMMON STOCK     63,240  
 
  VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCS INC   COMMON STOCK     52,856  
 
  VERIGY LTD ORD SHS   COMMON STOCK     23,473  
 
  VIROPHARMA INC   COMMON STOCK     72,652  
 
  VISTAPRINT COM INC   COMMON STOCK     26,240  
 
  WABTEC CORP   COMMON STOCK     47,303  
 
  WARNACO GROUP INC   COMMON STOCK     2,356  
 
  WASTE CONNECTIONS INC   COMMON STOCK     55,248  
 
  WATSCO INC   COMMON STOCK     32,256  
 
  WEBSENSE INC   COMMON STOCK     75,299  

17

 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                 
        (c)    
    (b)   Description of investment including maturity   (e)
    Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or   date, rate of interest, collateral, par or   Current
(a)   similar party   maturity value   value
 
                
 
  WHITING PETE CORP   COMMON STOCK     29,445  
 
  WMS INDS INC   COMMON STOCK     82,044  
 
  XENOPORT INC   COMMON STOCK     36,115  
 
  ZORAN CORP   COMMON STOCK     57,987  
 
             
 
                
 
  SUBTOTAL       $ 280,055,486  
 
                
 
  GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS            
 
  METROPOLITAN   CONTRACT #31832 INTEREST RATE 5.700%   $ 11,934,514  
 
                
 
             
 
  SUBTOTAL       $ 11,934,514  
 
                
 
  MUTUAL FUND            
 
  ADVISORS INNER CIRCLE   LSV VALUE EQUITY FUND   $ 33,203,864  
 
  LOOMIS SAYLES   INVESTMENT TRUST FIXED INCOME FUND     31,542,778  
 
  PIMCO   TOTAL RETURN FUND     88,348,927  
 
  TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS   INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS FOREIGN EQUITY SERIES     20,019,399  
 
  THORNBURG INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT   INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND     27,235,698  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2005     4,794,958  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2010     1,526,230  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2015     14,344,822  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2020     2,213,192  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2025     21,192,186  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2030     749,235  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2035     24,767,236  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2040     822,686  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2045     21,591,692  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2050     696,917  
 
  VANGUARD   TARGET RETIREMENT INCOME FUND     2,707,210  
 
             
 
                
 
  SUBTOTAL       $ 295,757,030  
 
             
 
  TOTAL PLAN INVESTMENTS AT FAIR VALUE       $ 1,050,017,933  
 
             
*
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN PARTICIPANT LOANS   LOANS ISSUED AT INTEREST RATES BETWEEN
4.0% - 9.25% WITH VARIOUS MATURITIES 		  $ 33,813,468  
 
*   PARTY-IN-INTEREST
HISTORICAL COST INFORMATION COLUMN (D) IS NOT PRESENTED SINCE THE INVESTMENTS DISPLAYED ARE PARTICIPANT DIRECTED.

18

 

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 22, 2009

19