EX-12 3 ex12.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ex12.htm
 
Exhibit 12


CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Millions of Dollars)

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
   
2009 (1)
    
2010 (1)
  
             
Net Income
   $ 67     $ 114  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions
     ─       5  
Income taxes
     48       102  
Capitalized interest
     (2 )     (1 )
      113       220  
                 
Fixed charges, as defined:
                
                 
Interest
     162       158  
Capitalized interest                                                    
     2       1  
Interest component of rentals charged to operating expense
     3       6  
Total fixed charges
     167       165  
                 
Earnings, as defined
   $ 280     $ 385  
                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
     1.68       2.33  
   ________
       (1)  Excluded from the computation of fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2010 is interest expense of $2 million, which is included in income tax expense.