CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC

(9)Goodwill (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

CenterPoint Energy’s goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:

(1)Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $185 million recorded in 2020.

(2)If a disposal group reflects a component of a reporting unit and meets the definition of a business, the goodwill within that reporting unit is allocated to the disposal group based on the relative fair value of the components representing a business that will be retained and disposed. As a result, goodwill attributable to the Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas LDC businesses to be disposed of was classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2024. CenterPoint Energy did not recognize any goodwill impairments within the Natural Gas reportable segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. For further information, see Note 3.

CERC’s goodwill is as follows:

(1)In connection with the classification of the Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas LDC businesses as held for sale as of September 30, 2024 described above, goodwill attributable to CERC to be disposed of as part of the transaction was classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2024. CERC did not recognize any goodwill impairments during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. For further information, see Note 3.

CenterPoint Energy and CERC perform goodwill impairment tests at least annually and evaluate goodwill when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment by performing a qualitative assessment or using a quantitative test. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative test is then performed; otherwise, no further testing is required. The quantitative test, if required, is performed by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is primarily determined based on an income approach or a weighted combination of income and market approaches. When the carrying amount is in excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, the excess amount is recorded as an impairment charge, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. CenterPoint Energy and CERC performed their annual goodwill impairment tests in the third quarter of 2024 and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required for any reporting unit as a result of those tests.