CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) Receives 'Buy' Rating Ahead of Q3 Earnings

CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) is a utility that provides electricity and natural gas. Cowen & Co. initiated coverage with a Buy rating on October 22, 2026, when the stock traded at $40.32.

The rating comes ahead of CenterPoint’s third-quarter results, scheduled for release before the market opens on October 27. Analysts expect revenue of $2.16 billion, up 8.4% from a year earlier, and earnings of $0.50 per share, unchanged from the year-earlier quarter.

Grid investments, rising electricity demand and growth in the rate base could support results. The rate base is the value of utility assets used to calculate regulated returns. Electric and gas throughput, or the amount delivered to customers, is expected to rise 1.5%. Higher financing costs could offset some of those gains.

CenterPoint beat earnings expectations by 8.11% in the previous quarter, as highlighted by Zacks. Zacks also notes signs of another potential earnings beat, though the stock’s response depends on the reported results and management’s outlook. CenterPoint is up $0.08, or 0.20%, at $40.32, within a past-year range of $36.37 to $45.26.