ENI appears suitable to issue hybrid bonds, with several supportive indicators: - **Large, established issuer with strong scale:** 2022 revenue was very high at €132.5bn, and total assets were €152.1bn at year-end 2022. - **Strong profitability:** Net profit rose sharply to €14.0bn in 2022, with profit before tax of €22.0bn and operating profit of €17.5bn. - **Robust operating cash generation:** Cash flow from operating activities was €17.5bn in 2022, comfortably positive and higher than the prior year. - **Manageable leverage position:** Total liabilities were €96.9bn against equity of €55.2bn, giving a liabilities/equity ratio of about 1.75x. Gross borrowings and lease liabilities were meaningful but not excessive relative to EBITDA-like cash generation and balance sheet size. - **Good liquidity:** Cash and cash equivalents were €10.2bn, plus current financial assets at fair value of €8.3bn, supporting refinancing flexibility. - **Existing hybrid/perpetual bond experience:** The equity statement shows prior issuance of perpetual subordinated bonds in 2020 and 2021 and coupon payments in 2021 and 2022, indicating market access and an established framework for hybrid capital. - **Shareholder distributions and buybacks:** ENI paid dividends and repurchased treasury shares, indicating financial flexibility, though this also competes with balance-sheet strengthening. The main caution is that ENI is a cyclical energy company exposed to commodity prices, and 2022 earnings were exceptionally strong versus 2020 losses. However, its liquidity, scale, cash generation, capital-market access, and prior hybrid instrument history make it a strong candidate for hybrid bond issuance. Strongly Suitable