As of Sep 30, 2018, CenterPoint Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $293 million, up from $260 million as of Dec 31, 2017. Total long-term debt was $7,252 million as of Sep 30, 2018 compared with $8,195 million as of Dec 31, 2017. At the end of third-quarter 2018, the company's net cash from operating activities was $1,679 million, up from $1,028 million in the year-ago period. Also, CenterPoint Energy's total capital expenditure was $434 million, up from $358 million a year ago. 2018 Guidance CenterPoint Energy reaffirmed its 2018 earnings guidance. The company expects to achieve the high end of the earlier announced guidance range of $1.50-$1.60 per diluted share, excluding costs associated with the pending merger with Vectren. In addition, the company has issued $5.2 billion of debt and equity securities to fund the pending merger with Vectren. Therefore, 2018 is expected to have higher net interest expenses and a higher common stock share count.