Let’s go step by step. **1. Nature of hybrid bonds** Hybrid bonds are typically subordinated, have equity-like features (e.g., optional deferral of coupons), and are often treated partially as equity by rating agencies—but they still carry fixed costs and must eventually be serviced or refinanced. **2. Ferrovial’s capital structure** From the data: - Total equity (2023-01-01): €6,354M - Non-current borrowings (excluding infrastructure projects): €2,883M - Current borrowings (excluding infrastructure projects): €803M - Total debt ex-infrastructure: ~€3,686M We also see "Other Equity Securities" (likely hybrids) of €508M, which is modest relative to total equity (~8%). **3. Earnings and coverage** - Operating profit is relatively modest (€423M in 2022). - Interest costs are significant: financial result ex-infrastructure projects is near break-even before derivatives. - Adding high-coupon hybrids would increase fixed charges and pressure cash flows, especially in a rising-rate environment (2022 swap rates jumped sharply). **4. Market data context** Credit spreads widened in 2022 (iShares Core Euro Corp Bond yield avg 1.085%, sub-senior delta 0.2 → subordinated yields around 2.3%). Higher yields mean issuing new hybrids is more expensive now than in 2020–2021. **5. Infrastructure financing** Most project debt is non-recourse, so the corporate-level capital structure needs to remain conservative to preserve financial flexibility for new equity injections into projects. High reliance on hybrids could weaken credit metrics. **Conclusion** A small proportion of hybrids can be useful for optimizing the cost of capital without endangering credit ratings, but heavy reliance would be risky in a high-rate, capital-intensive business. The current ~8% seems appropriate; moving to something like 25% could be feasible but going higher would be imprudent given cash flow volatility and rising interest burden. 25%