Free cash flow
CenterPoint Energy Free cash flow decreased by 29.6% to -$916.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 45.9%, from -$628.00M to -$916.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a -6.7% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | -$184.00M | -$206.00M | -$477.00M | -$266.00M | -$636.00M | -$852.00M | -$855.00M | $590.00M | -$367.00M | -$477.00M | -$270.00M | -$307.00M | -$236.00M | -$708.00M | -$1.12B | -$628.00M | -$569.00M | -$480.00M | -$707.00M | -$916.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -12.0% | -131.6% | +44.2% | -139.1% | -34.0% | -0.4% | +169.0% | -162.2% | -30.0% | +43.4% | -13.7% | +23.1% | -200.0% | -58.6% | +44.1% | +9.4% | +15.6% | -47.3% | -29.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -245.7% | -313.6% | -79.2% | +321.8% | +42.3% | +44.0% | +68.4% | -152.0% | +35.7% | -48.4% | -315.9% | -104.6% | -141.1% | +32.2% | +37.0% | -45.9% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CenterPoint Energy's free cash flow?
- CenterPoint Energy (CNP) reported free cash flow of -$916.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has CenterPoint Energy's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- CenterPoint Energy's free cash flow decreased by 45.9% year-over-year, from -$628.00M to -$916.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for CenterPoint Energy's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), CenterPoint Energy's free cash flow has grown at a -6.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from -$3.14B to -$2.38B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.