Several hedge funds and institutional investors have recently adjusted their positions in CenterPoint Energy. During the third quarter, AE Wealth Management increased its holdings by 3.3%, bringing its total to 486,551 shares valued at approximately $18.9 million. Reaves W H & Co. raised its stake by 15.4%, now owning more than 7.2 million shares worth about $280 million. Exchange Traded Concepts boosted its position by 23.3%, while Asset Management One grew its holdings by 31.1% during the same period. Norges Bank also initiated a significant new position in the second quarter, investing roughly $313 million. Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds now control about 91.8% of the company’s outstanding shares.

Stock Performance

Shares of CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) were trading at $43.02 on Friday, down 0.4%. Over the past year, the stock has ranged between $33.24 and $43.58. The company carries a market capitalization of approximately $28.1 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.9 and a beta of 0.59, reflecting relatively low volatility compared to the broader market. Its 50-day moving average stands at $39.82, slightly above its 200-day average of $39.10.

Earnings Snapshot

CenterPoint recently reported quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share, narrowly missing the consensus estimate of $0.46. Revenue came in at $2.51 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $2.23 billion. The company posted a net margin of 11.2% and a return on equity of 10.5%. For fiscal 2026, management has guided toward earnings around $1.90 per share, while analysts project full-year earnings of approximately $1.75 per share for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Increase

In positive news for income investors, CenterPoint announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.23 per share, up from $0.22. The dividend will be paid on March 12 to shareholders of record as of February 19. On an annualized basis, the payout rises to $0.92 per share, yielding about 2.1%. The company’s dividend payout ratio currently sits at roughly 57.5%.

Analyst Outlook

Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic. Wells Fargo recently raised its price target to $47 and maintained an “overweight” rating, while BMO Capital Markets upgraded the stock to “outperform” with a $42 target. Other firms, including Barclays and JPMorgan, adjusted their price targets lower but kept neutral or equal-weight ratings. Overall, analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating, with an average price target of $42.

Company Overview

CenterPoint Energy is a Houston-based regulated utility providing electricity transmission and distribution in the greater Houston area, along with natural gas delivery services across several Midwest and Southern states. The company operates as a vertically integrated utility, focusing on reliable energy delivery through its owned infrastructure networks.

Investors considering CenterPoint Energy should weigh its stable regulated business model, growing dividend and institutional backing against modest earnings growth expectations and mixed analyst sentiment.