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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, 2009
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 1-31447
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
 
       
 EX-23
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.

 

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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, 2009 and 2008, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2009. 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, 2009 and 2008, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2009 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 3, 2010

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
                
Investments, at fair value (see Note 2)
   $ 1,310,695,502     $ 1,050,017,933  
Participant loans
     35,664,467       33,813,468  
 
                
Receivables:
                
Participant contributions
     1,283,017       1,077,562  
Employer contributions
     664,151       15,848,402  
Dividends and interest
     378,636       523,333  
Pending investment transactions
     55,002       155,975  
 
            
Total receivables
     2,380,806       17,605,272  
 
            
Total Assets
     1,348,740,775       1,101,436,673  
 
            
 
                
LIABILITIES
                
Pending investment transactions
     53,811       143,390  
Other
     323,020       402,234  
 
            
Total Liabilities
     376,831       545,624  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AT FAIR VALUE
     1,348,363,944       1,100,891,049  
 
                
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
     4,529,567       14,116,225  
 
            
 
                
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
   $ 1,352,893,511     $ 1,115,007,274  
 
            
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
         
Investment Income, Net:
        
Dividends
   $ 35,047,885  
Interest on loans to participants
     2,264,644  
Net appreciation of investments (see Note 3)
     178,570,757  
 
      
Total Investment Income
     215,883,286  
 
      
 
        
Contributions:
        
Participant contributions
     44,551,618  
Employer contributions
     31,125,170  
Rollover contributions
     1,133,437  
 
      
Total Contributions
     76,810,225  
 
      
 
Expenses:
        
Administrative expenses
     2,749,919  
Benefit payments
     52,057,355  
 
      
Total Expenses
     54,807,274  
 
      
 
        
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
     237,886,237  
 
        
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
        
 
        
BEGINNING OF YEAR
     1,115,007,274  
 
      
 
        
END OF YEAR
   $ 1,352,893,511  
 
      
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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
Participants may contribute, on a pre-tax and after-tax basis, up to 50% and 16% of eligible compensation, respectively, not to exceed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) compensation limit as defined in the Plan. Active Participants age 50 or over may contribute an additional pre-tax contribution not to exceed the IRS limit ($5,500 for 2009); however, the Company generally does not provide the match on such “catch-up” contributions, unless 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.
All 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. The contribution percentage is increased by an increment of one percent on April 1 in each of the following years in which the Automatic Contribution started, 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 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.
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.
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 as set out under the IRC or the limits set forth in the Plan document.

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(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.
(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.

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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. Effective January 1, 2010, the loan origination fee was increased to $50. 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.
(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.
(b) Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The investments in all Funds of the Plan are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. 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.
Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value; however, contract value is the relevant measurement attributed for that portion of the net assets available for benefits, because it represents the amount Participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts, as well as the adjustment of the fully

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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.
(c) Fair Value Measurements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes a framework for measuring fair value as it relates to financial assets and liabilities and to nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. That framework provides a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon observable and unobservable inputs, with preference given to observable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described below:
     
Level 1
  Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities;
 
    
Level 2
  Observable inputs such as (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and do not require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs; or (iii) valuations based on pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques where significant inputs (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, etc.) are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
 
    
Level 3
  Unobservable inputs, including valuations based on pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques where at least one significant model assumption or inputs is unobservable. Unobservable inputs are used to the extent that observable inputs are not available and reflect the Plan’s own assumptions about the assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include the Plan’s own data.
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, and generally, include the use of significant observable inputs in determining the unit value.
 
  •   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.

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009:
                                 
    Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
     
Mutual funds
                                
Target date retirement funds
   $ 144,803,900     $ —     $ —     $ 144,803,900  
Fixed income funds
     124,020,648       —       —       124,020,648  
International equity funds
     52,325,732       —       —       52,325,732  
U.S. equity — large cap funds
     41,017,291       —       —       41,017,291  
Balanced funds
     27,674,554       —       —       27,674,554  
     
Total mutual funds
     389,842,125                       389,842,125  
Common or collective trust funds
                                
U.S. equity — large cap funds
     —       239,238,429       —       239,238,429  
Stable value funds
     —       196,346,120       —       196,346,120  
Balanced funds
     —       45,686,934       —       45,686,934  
Fixed income funds
     —       43,508,234       —       43,508,234  
Short-term investment funds
     —       25,580,510       —       25,580,510  
International equity funds
     —       20,653,437       —       20,653,437  
U.S. equity — small cap funds
     —       15,861,238       —       15,861,238  
     
Total common or collective trust funds
     —       586,874,902       —       586,874,902  
Common stocks
                                
Company stock
     309,359,526       —       —       309,359,526  
U.S. equity – small cap
     13,672,509       —       —       13,672,509  
International equity
     271,577       —       —       271,577  
     
Total common stocks
     323,303,612       —       —       323,303,612  
Others
                                
Guaranteed investment contracts
     —       —       10,674,863       10,674,863  
Participant loans
     —       —       35,664,467       35,664,467  
     
Total others
     —       —       46,339,330       46,339,330  
     
Total assets at fair value
   $ 713,145,737     $ 586,874,902     $ 46,339,330     $ 1,346,359,969  
     

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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
                                
Fixed income funds
   $ 101,957,177     $ —     $ —     $ 101,957,177  
Target date retirement funds
     95,406,365       —       —       95,406,365  
International equity funds
     39,503,380       —       —       39,503,380  
U.S. equity — large cap funds
     33,203,864       —       —       33,203,864  
Balanced funds
     25,686,244       —       —       25,686,244  
     
Total mutual funds
     295,757,030                       295,757,030  
Common or collective trust funds
                                
Stable value funds
     —       189,766,831       —       189,766,831  
U.S. equity — large cap funds
     —       168,310,108       —       168,310,108  
Fixed income funds
     —       30,311,549       —       30,311,549  
Balanced funds
     —       27,605,185       —       27,605,185  
Short-term investment funds
     —       27,006,902       —       27,006,902  
International equity funds
     —       9,652,634       —       9,652,634  
U.S. equity — small cap funds
     —       9,617,694       —       9,617,694  
     
Total common or collective trust funds
     —       462,270,903       —       462,270,903  
Common stocks
                                
Company stock
     269,472,045       —       —       269,472,045  
U.S. equity – small cap
     10,553,201       —       —       10,553,201  
International equity
     30,240       —       —       30,240  
     
Total common stocks
     280,055,486       —       —       280,055,486  
Others
                                
Guaranteed investment contracts
     —       —       11,934,514       11,934,514  
Participant loans
     —       —       33,813,468       33,813,468  
     
Total others
     —       —       45,747,982       45,747,982  
     
Total assets at fair value
   $ 575,812,516     $ 462,270,903     $ 45,747,982     $ 1,083,831,401  
     

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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, 2009:
                         
    Level 3 Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2009
    Guaranteed        
    Investment   Participant    
    Contract   Loans   Total
     
Balance, beginning of year
   $ 11,934,514     $ 33,813,468     $ 45,747,982  
Realized gains/(losses)
     —       —       —  
Unrealized gains/(losses) relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
     —       —       —  
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net)
     (1,259,651 )     1,850,999       591,348  
     
Balance, end of year
   $ 10,674,863     $ 35,664,467     $ 46,339,330  
     
Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in changes in net assets for the period above are reported in net appreciation in fair value of investments in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.
(d) Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.
(e) Plan Expenses
Direct Plan expenses such as trustee, recordkeeping, auditing and investment management fees and certain general administrative expenses are paid from the Plan assets. These expenses are shown as a separate component in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits. Plan expenses other than the aforementioned items are included as a component of the investment gains and losses. These expenses are reported on the Schedule C of the Form 5500 as indirect compensation.
3.   Investments
The following presents investments that represent five percent or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.
                 
    December 31,
    2009   2008
Company common stock, 21,320,436 and 21,352,777 shares, respectively
   $ 309,359,526     $ 269,472,045  
 
                
BlackRock Equity Index Fund, 8,375,870 and 7,058,831 shares, respectively
     146,745,246       97,482,463  
 
                
Dwight Target 2 Fund, 6,531,619 and 6,531,619 shares, respectively
     114,764,248       108,741,698  
 
                
PIMCO Total Return Fund, 9,131,004 and 8,712,912 shares, respectively
     98,614,843       88,348,927  

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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 2009 the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value as follows:
         
Common stocks
   $ 45,675,592  
Common or collective trust funds
     66,903,042  
Mutual funds
     65,992,123  
 
      
Total investment appreciation
   $ 178,570,757  
 
      
Stable Value Fund
The Stable Value Fund (Stable Fund) has investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (Synthetic GICs). A Synthetic GIC, also known as a wrap contract, is an investment contract issued by an insurance company or other financial institution, backed by a portfolio of bonds or other fixed income assets that are owned by the Stable Fund. These assets underlying the wrap contract are maintained separate from the contract issuer’s general assets, usually by the Stable Fund’s trustee or a third party custodian. The contracts are obligated to provide an interest rate not less than zero. These contracts provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the Stable Fund, but rather are amortized, over the duration of the underlying assets or other agreed upon period, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rates. The issuer guarantees that all qualified participant withdrawals will occur at contract value which represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less withdrawals made under the contract and administrative expenses.
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.
During 2009 and 2008, the average yields for the Stable Fund were as follows:
                 
    2009   2008
Based on actual earnings
     3.57 %     5.79 %
Based on the interest rate credited to Participants
     2.65 %     3.73 %
Benefit-responsive investment contracts are designed to preserve capital and provide a stable crediting rate. Such contracts 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.

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Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
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 2009, 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
   $ 57,055,539  
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     308,745,990  
 
        
Sales
        
Company common stock
   $ 59,638,994  
Northern Trust collective short-term investment fund
     317,984,612  
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:
                 
    2009     2008  
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ 1,352,893,511     $ 1,115,007,274  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     (4,529,567 )     (14,116,225 )
 
            
Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ 1,348,363,944     $ 1,100,891,049  
 
            
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, 2009:
         
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
   $ 237,886,237  
Adjustment to reverse fair value adjustment for fully benefit-responsive contracts related to prior year
     14,116,225  
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive contracts
     (4,529,567 )
 
      
Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits per Form 5500
   $ 247,472,895  
 
      

12

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or        date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
          similar party        value   value  
   
COMMON OR COLLECTIVE TRUSTS
            
   
BLACKROCK
   EQUITY INDEX FUND   $ 146,745,246  
   
BLACKROCK
   MSCI ACWI EX US INDEX SUPERFUND     20,653,438  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 1000 GROWTH FUND     45,539,483  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 1000 VALUE FUND     37,824,100  
   
BLACKROCK
   RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND     15,861,239  
   
CAPITAL GUARDIAN
   US GROWTH EQUITY MASTER FUND     44,334,440  
   
MELLON BANK
   EB DAILY LIQUIDITY AGGREGATE BOND FUND     43,508,234  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   CORE INTER FUND     39,426,700  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   TARGET 2 FUND     114,764,248  
   
DWIGHT ASSET MANAGEMENT
   TARGET 5 FUND     42,155,170  
*  
NORTHERN TRUST
   SHORT TERM INVESTMENT FUND     18,830,565  
   
SEI
   STABLE ASSET FUND     6,749,947  
   
WELLINGTON CAPITAL
   SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND     10,482,092  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 586,874,902  
   
 
            
   
1ST NIAGARA FINL GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK   $ 82,069  
   
A123 SYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     50,266  
   
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO
   COMMON STOCK     35,547  
   
ABOVENET INC
   COMMON STOCK     91,056  
   
ACCO BRANDS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     73,382  
   
ACORDA THERAPEUTICS INC
   COMMON STOCK     44,892  
   
AECOM TECHNOLOGY CORP DELAWARE
   COMMON STOCK     66,000  
   
AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     70,044  
   
AGCO CORP
   COMMON STOCK     43,982  
   
AIRGAS INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,644  
   
ALBANY INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     85,123  
   
ALBERTO-CULVER CO
   COMMON STOCK     54,479  
   
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     63,969  
   
ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     62,001  
   
ALLSCRIPT-MISYS HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS INC
   COMMON STOCK     36,009  
   
ALPHA NAT RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     58,780  
   
ALTRA HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     69,160  
   
AMEDISYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     68,955  
   
AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP
   COMMON STOCK     65,031  
   
AMERICAN WTR WKS CO INC
   COMMON STOCK     57,818  
   
AMERISAFE INC
   COMMON STOCK     52,293  
   
A-POWER ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEMS LTD
   COMMON STOCK     53,407  
   
ARENA RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     57,781  
   
ARIBA INC
   COMMON STOCK     69,110  
   
ARTIO GLOBAL INVS INC
   COMMON STOCK     65,254  
   
ARVINMERITOR INC
   COMMON STOCK     66,856  

13

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or        date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
          similar party         value   value  
   
ASCENT MEDIA CORP
   COMMON STOCK     65,612  
   
ASHLAND INC
   COMMON STOCK     43,582  
   
ASSURED GUARANTY LTD
   COMMON STOCK     99,226  
   
ATHEROSMUNICATIONS INC
   COMMON STOCK     78,752  
   
ATLAS AIR WORLDWIDE HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     104,300  
   
AUXILIUM PHARMACEUTICALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     27,881  
   
AVISTA CORP
   COMMON STOCK     96,076  
   
B & G FOODS INC
   COMMON STOCK     34,884  
   
BANK OF THE OZARKS INC
   COMMON STOCK     37,466  
   
BEBE STORES INC
   COMMON STOCK     44,141  
   
BECKMAN COULTER INC
   COMMON STOCK     34,029  
   
BIOMED RLTY TR INC
   COMMON STOCK     103,517  
   
BK HAW CORP
   COMMON STOCK     56,472  
   
BOSTON PRIVATE FINL HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     70,048  
   
BPZ RESOURCE INC
   COMMON STOCK     80,370  
   
BRANDYWINE RLTY TR
   COMMON STOCK     113,316  
   
BRIGHAM EXPL CO
   COMMON STOCK     44,038  
   
BROADPOINT GLEACHER SECS GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     22,657  
   
BROCADEMUNICATIONS SYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     48,069  
   
BRUKER CORP
   COMMON STOCK     41,607  
   
BUCYRUS INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     59,189  
   
CABOT CORP
   COMMON STOCK     76,854  
   
CALIFORNIA WTR SVC GROUP
   COMMON STOCK     70,326  
   
CARDTRONICS INC
   COMMON STOCK     62,878  
   
CASH AMER INVTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     139,840  
   
CB RICHARD ELLIS GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     68,257  
*  
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC
   COMMON STOCK     309,359,526  
   
CENTY ALUM CO
   COMMON STOCK     41,608  
   
CHATTEM INC
   COMMON STOCK     42,918  
   
CHINA NORTH EAST PETE HLDGS LTD
   COMMON STOCK     92,685  
   
CLECO CORP
   COMMON STOCK     76,524  
   
CLIFFS NAT RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     77,431  
   
COLBS MCKINNON CORP N Y
   COMMON STOCK     47,537  
   
COLLECTIVE BRANDS INC
   COMMON STOCK     91,308  
   
COMERICA INC
   COMMON STOCK     74,221  
   
COML METALS CO
   COMMON STOCK     34,900  
   
CONSECO INC
   COMMON STOCK     89,100  
   
CONTL AIRL INC
   COMMON STOCK     77,414  
   
CORE LAB
   COMMON STOCK     74,416  
   
COVANTA HLDG CORP
   COMMON STOCK     60,059  
   
CREE INC
   COMMON STOCK     88,501  
   
CROWN HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     76,996  
   
CYBERSOURCE CORP DEL
   COMMON STOCK     79,837  

14

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or         date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
          similar party         value   value  
   
DCT INDL TR INC
   COMMON STOCK     81,926  
   
DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP
   COMMON STOCK     73,238  
   
DOMTAR CORP
   COMMON STOCK     77,020  
   
DRESS BARN INC
   COMMON STOCK     109,494  
   
DTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     42,420  
   
DUPONT FABROS TECH INC REIT
   COMMON STOCK     115,316  
   
EAST WEST BANCORP INC
   COMMON STOCK     71,574  
   
EATON VANCE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     95,792  
   
EMULEX CORP
   COMMON STOCK     70,632  
   
ENERGEN CORP
   COMMON STOCK     69,264  
   
ENERNOC INC
   COMMON STOCK     70,201  
   
ENTEGRIS INC
   COMMON STOCK     87,331  
   
EQUIFAX INC
   COMMON STOCK     70,738  
   
ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
   COMMON STOCK     61,970  
   
EVERCORE PARTNERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     61,712  
   
EXCO RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,260  
   
F5 NETWORKS INC
   COMMON STOCK     64,636  
   
FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     76,224  
   
FIDELITY NATL INFORMATION SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     77,586  
   
FOCUS MEDIA HLDG LTD
   COMMON STOCK - ADR     35,029  
   
FUSHI COPPERWELD INC
   COMMON STOCK     56,470  
   
GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LTD
   COMMON STOCK     74,749  
   
GENESEE & WYO INC
   COMMON STOCK     47,654  
   
GENTIVA HEALTH SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     58,342  
   
GENWORTH FINL INC
   COMMON STOCK     60,836  
   
GLOBAL PMTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     59,246  
   
GRAFTECH INTL LTD
   COMMON STOCK     52,870  
   
GREEN MTN COFFEE ROASTERS
   COMMON STOCK     80,248  
   
GSI COMM INC
   COMMON STOCK     78,201  
   
GUESS INC
   COMMON STOCK     140,436  
   
GYMBOREE CORP COM
   COMMON STOCK     40,011  
   
HANCOCK HLDG CO
   COMMON STOCK     80,574  
   
HEADWATERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     139,724  
   
HEALTHSOUTH CORP
   COMMON STOCK     53,307  
   
HEALTHSPRING INC
   COMMON STOCK     82,591  
   
HILLTOP HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     45,745  
   
HORSEHEAD HLDG CORP
   COMMON STOCK     93,840  
   
HSN INC DEL
   COMMON STOCK     85,000  
   
HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES INC
   COMMON STOCK     103,428  
   
IMPAX LABORATORIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     88,944  
   
ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     58,608  
   
ITC HLDGS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     66,675  
   
JDA SOFTWARE GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     76,665  

15

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or        date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
         similar party        value   value  
   
JDS UNIPHASE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     104,858  
   
KAISER ALUM CORP
   COMMON STOCK     81,991  
   
LAM RESH CORP
   COMMON STOCK     133,706  
   
LASALLE HOTEL PPTYS
   COMMON STOCK     85,769  
   
LONGTOP FINL TECHNOLOGIES LTD
   COMMON STOCK - ADR     52,568  
   
MAGELLAN HLTH SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     37,064  
   
MDU RES GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     71,036  
   
MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     76,822  
   
MF GLOBAL LTD
   COMMON STOCK     36,001  
   
MF GLOBAL LTD
   COMMON STOCK     50,944  
   
MID-AMER APT CMNTYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     97,526  
   
MINDRAY MED INTL LTD
   COMMON STOCK - ADR     56,986  
   
MLP LAZARD LTD
   COMMON STOCK     89,609  
   
MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD
   COMMON STOCK     48,669  
   
MSCI INC
   COMMON STOCK     67,416  
   
NATL FINL PARTNERS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     30,823  
   
NELNET INC
   COMMON STOCK     104,242  
   
NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     61,950  
   
NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES INC
   COMMON STOCK     71,466  
   
NET SERVICOS DE COMUNICACAO S A
   COMMON STOCK - ADR     60,750  
   
NETLOGIC MICROSYSTEMS INC
   COMMON STOCK     72,166  
   
NEUTRAL TANDEM INC
   COMMON STOCK     50,050  
   
NICOR INC
   COMMON STOCK     68,623  
   
NORTHWESTERN CORP
   COMMON STOCK     68,693  
   
NUTRI SYS INC
   COMMON STOCK     54,859  
   
OPTIONSXPRESS HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     2,472  
   
OSI PHARMACEUTICALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     25,134  
   
PALM INC
   COMMON STOCK     46,284  
   
PAREXEL INTL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     28,059  
   
PARTNERRE HLDG LTD
   COMMON STOCK     47,782  
   
PENN NATL GAMING INC
   COMMON STOCK     47,293  
   
PETRO DEV CORP
   COMMON STOCK     70,109  
   
PIER 1 IMPORTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     37,717  
   
PMC SIERRA INC
   COMMON STOCK     83,482  
   
POLYCOM INC
   COMMON STOCK     77,657  
   
PROASSURANCE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     63,378  
   
PROSPERITY BANCSHARES INC
   COMMON STOCK     65,561  
   
PROSPERITY BANCSHARES INC
   COMMON STOCK     112,507  
   
PULTE HOMES INC
   COMMON STOCK     79,730  
   
ROBERT HALF INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     58,806  
   
ROCK-TENN CO
   COMMON STOCK     49,906  
   
ROCK-TENN CO
   COMMON STOCK     52,931  
   
ROCKWOOD HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     100,130  

16

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or        date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
         similar party        value   value  
   
ROSETTA RES INC
   COMMON STOCK     108,619  
   
RTI INTL METALS INC
   COMMON STOCK     84,320  
   
RYLAND GROUP INC
   COMMON STOCK     63,434  
   
SALESFORCE INC
   COMMON STOCK     45,000  
   
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTL INC
   COMMON STOCK     92,862  
   
SERVICE CORP INTL
   COMMON STOCK     112,285  
   
SHUTTERFLY INC
   COMMON STOCK     78,364  
   
SIGNATURE BK NY N Y
   COMMON STOCK     131,428  
   
SILVER WHEATON CORP
   COMMON STOCK     57,376  
   
SMART BALANCE INC
   COMMON STOCK     31,620  
   
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE INC
   COMMON STOCK     48,638  
   
STIFEL FINL CORP
   COMMON STOCK     69,311  
   
STONE ENERGY CORP
   COMMON STOCK     74,727  
   
SUCCESSFACTORS INC
   COMMON STOCK     15,254  
   
SUPERIOR WELL SVCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     53,618  
   
SYBASE INC
   COMMON STOCK     79,856  
   
TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CTRS INC
   COMMON STOCK     46,788  
   
TENET HEALTHCARE CORP
   COMMON STOCK     64,572  
   
TERADYNE INC
   COMMON STOCK     108,910  
   
TERADYNE INC
   COMMON STOCK     97,321  
   
TEREX CORP
   COMMON STOCK     51,110  
   
TERRA INDS INC
   COMMON STOCK     57,942  
   
TEXAS ROADHOUSE INC
   COMMON STOCK     63,000  
   
THOMPSON CREEK METALS CO INC
   COMMON STOCK     46,763  
   
TREEHOUSE FOODS INC
   COMMON STOCK     51,684  
   
TRUE RELIGION APPAREL INC
   COMMON STOCK     55,655  
   
TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
   COMMON STOCK     77,306  
   
UNISYS CORP
   COMMON STOCK     149,227  
   
UNVL HEALTH SERVICES INC
   COMMON STOCK     64,050  
   
URBAN OUTFITTERS INC
   COMMON STOCK     118,966  
   
UTD THERAPEUTICS CORP DEL
   COMMON STOCK     68,445  
   
VAIL RESORTS INC
   COMMON STOCK     75,600  
   
VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCS INC
   COMMON STOCK     104,662  
   
VCA ANTECH INC
   COMMON STOCK     52,083  
   
VERIFONE HLDGS INC
   COMMON STOCK     55,364  
   
VISTAPRINT NV
   COMMON STOCK     79,891  
   
WA REAL ESTATE INVT TR
   COMMON STOCK     88,987  
   
WADDELL & REED FINL INC
   COMMON STOCK     55,277  
   
WATSCO INC
   COMMON STOCK     53,878  
   
WEBSTER FNCL CORP WATERBURY CONN
   COMMON STOCK     89,500  
   
WELLCARE HLTH PLANS INC
   COMMON STOCK     34,187  
   
WHOLE FOODS MKT INC
   COMMON STOCK     67,802  

17

Table of Contents

CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
EIN 74-0694415 PLAN 015
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
                 
        (c) Description of investment including maturity      
(a)   (b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor or        date, rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity   (e) Current  
         similar party        value   value  
   
WILSHIRE BANCORP INC
   COMMON STOCK     58,149  
   
WMS INDS INC
   COMMON STOCK     93,200  
   
WONDER AUTO TECHNOLOGY INC
   COMMON STOCK     83,496  
   
WOODWARD GOVERNOR CO
   COMMON STOCK     63,652  
   
WOODWARD GOVERNOR CO
   COMMON STOCK     38,140  
   
YINGLI GREEN ENERGY HLDG CO LTD
   COMMON STOCK - ADR     66,244  
   
ZORAN CORP
   COMMON STOCK     90,721  
   
 
          
 
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 323,303,612  
   
 
            
   
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
            
   
METROPOLITAN
   CONTRACT #31832 INTEREST RATE 5.700%   $ 10,674,863  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 10,674,863  
   
 
            
   
MUTUAL FUNDS
            
   
ADVISORS INNER CIRCLE
   LSV VALUE EQUITY FUND   $ 41,017,291  
   
LOOMIS SAYLES
   FIXED INCOME FUND     42,849,351  
   
PIMCO
   TOTAL RETURN FUND     98,614,843  
   
TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS
   INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS FOREIGN EQUITY SERIES     26,460,396  
   
THORNBURG INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
   INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND     36,096,343  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2005     4,618,981  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2010     2,598,564  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2015     18,975,520  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2020     5,149,267  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2025     28,254,242  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2030     3,179,059  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2035     34,355,189  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2040     6,068,777  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2045     30,965,500  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT FUND 2050     6,502,336  
   
VANGUARD
   TARGET RETIREMENT INCOME FUND     4,136,466  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
SUBTOTAL
       $ 389,842,125  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
TOTAL PLAN INVESTMENTS AT FAIR VALUE
       $ 1,310,695,502  
   
 
          
   
 
            
   
CENTERPOINT ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN
   LOANS ISSUED AT INTEREST RATES BETWEEN        
*  
PARTICIPANT LOANS
   4.25% - 9.25% WITH VARIOUS MATURITIES   $ 35,664,467  
 
*   PARTY-IN-INTEREST
HISTORICAL COST INFORMATION IN COLUMN (D) IS NOT PRESENTED SINCE THE INVESTMENTS DISPLAYED ARE PARTICIPANT-DIRECTED.

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Table of Contents

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 7, 2010

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