CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) will raise its quarterly dividend by 3.6 percent to $0.2875 per share in the first quarter of 2019. This marks the 14th year of dividend increases by the utility company.

The increased dividend is payable on March 14, 2019, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2019. If annualized, this would equate to $1.15 per share, yielding and estimated 4.1% at a stock price of $28.40.

"This is the fourteenth consecutive year that CenterPoint Energy has raised its dividend," said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "This 4 percent increase demonstrates a strong commitment to our shareholders and shows the confidence the board of directors has in our ability to deliver sustainable earnings and cash flow."

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. CenterPoint Energy's energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns a majority of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets.