UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): NOVEMBER 2, 2006

                         ------------------------------

                            CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          TEXAS                        1-31447                  74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)       (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)                                        Identification No.)


            1111 LOUISIANA
            HOUSTON, TEXAS                                        77002
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111

                         ------------------------------


     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     [_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
         (17 CFR 230.425)

     [_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
         CFR 240.14a-12)

     [_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     [_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



ITEM 2.02.   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

         On November 2, 2006, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy")
reported third quarter 2006 earnings. For additional information regarding
CenterPoint Energy's third quarter 2006 earnings, please refer to CenterPoint
Energy's press release attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 (the "Press
Release"), which Press Release is incorporated by reference herein. The
information in the Press Release is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item
2.02. Accordingly, the information in the Press Release will not be incorporated
by reference into any registration statement filed by CenterPoint Energy under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein
as being incorporated therein by reference.

ITEM 9.01.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         The exhibit listed below is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of this
Form 8-K.

             (d)   Exhibits.

99.1     Press Release issued November 2, 2006 regarding CenterPoint Energy,
         Inc.'s third quarter 2006 earnings.



                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                               CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.



Date:  November 2, 2006                        By:  /s/ James S. Brian
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                    James S. Brian
                                                    Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Accounting Officer



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER        EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
--------------        -------------------

    99.1              Press Release issued November 2, 2006 regarding
                      CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s third quarter 2006 earnings