** Electric and gas utility firm CenterPoint Energy's CNP.N shares rise 1.5% to $37.86

** CNP late Monday announced pricing of offering of $900 million of convertible bonds due 2028

** Initial conversion price of $46.63 per share implies 25% premium to stock's last close

** Stock closed down 2.8% on Monday after CNP unveiled the convertible bonds offering

** Proceeds will be used for general purposes, including repaying debt

** 7 of 18 brokerages rate stock "buy" or higher and 11 "hold"; median PT $41 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, CNP stock up 17.6% YTD

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com))