CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) will raise its quarterly dividend by 0.9 percent to $0.29 per share in the first quarter of 2020. This marks the 15th year of annual dividend increases by the utility company.

The increased dividend is payable on March 12, 2020, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 20, 2020. A new annualized dividend rate of $1.16 per share yields 4.4% at a stock price of $26.34.

From the company's press release: "This marks the 15th consecutive year we have increased our common stock dividend," said Scott Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "The board's decision today demonstrates CenterPoint Energy's continued commitment to dividend growth, while also driving shareholder value by capitalizing on its significant rate base investment opportunities in its regulated utilities. Central to this commitment of dividend and regulated utilities earnings growth is our continued focus on strengthening our balance sheet following the Vectren merger and the divestiture of the non-rate regulated CenterPoint Energy Infrastructure Services business segment."

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 53.7 percent 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.