To estimate S&P's adjusted leverage trend for 2022, we calculate the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022 using the given financial data. **1. Calculate Net Debt:** Net Debt is generally calculated as Total Debt (including lease liabilities) minus Cash and Cash Equivalents. *For FY 2021 (Ending 2022-01-01):* - Noncurrent Portion Of Other Noncurrent Borrowings: 9,513 million EUR - Current Borrowings And Current Portion Of Noncurrent Borrowings: 1,096 million EUR - Noncurrent Lease Liabilities: 115 million EUR - Current Lease Liabilities: 58 million EUR *Total Debt (2021)* = 9,513 + 1,096 + 115 + 58 = 10,782 million EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 5,536 million EUR *Net Debt (2021)* = 10,782 - 5,536 = 5,246 million EUR *For FY 2022 (Ending 2023-01-01):* - Noncurrent Portion Of Other Noncurrent Borrowings: 10,776 million EUR - Current Borrowings And Current Portion Of Noncurrent Borrowings: 877 million EUR - Noncurrent Lease Liabilities: 120 million EUR - Current Lease Liabilities: 64 million EUR *Total Debt (2022)* = 10,776 + 877 + 120 + 64 = 11,837 million EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 5,130 million EUR *Net Debt (2022)* = 11,837 - 5,130 = 6,707 million EUR **2. Calculate EBITDA:** EBITDA can be derived from Gross Profit or by adding Amortisation Expense to the Profit from Operations before Impairment. *For FY 2021:* - Profit From Operations Before Impairment: 340 million EUR - Amortisation Expense: 270 million EUR *EBITDA (2021)* = 340 + 270 = 610 million EUR *For FY 2022:* - Profit From Operations Before Impairment: 429 million EUR - Amortisation Expense: 299 million EUR *EBITDA (2022)* = 429 + 299 = 728 million EUR *(Note: Including dividends received from associates, typical in infrastructure holding companies, would similarly raise EBITDA to 882 million EUR and 1,012 million EUR respectively, without altering the directional trend).* **3. Calculate Net Debt / EBITDA Ratio:** - Ratio (2021) = 5,246 / 610 ≈ 8.60x - Ratio (2022) = 6,707 / 728 ≈ 9.21x **4. Gap Calculation:** - Gap = Ratio (2022) - Ratio (2021) = 9.21x - 8.60x = +0.61x Because the year-on-year gap of +0.61x represents an increase higher than the stable threshold of 0.3x, the leverage ratio has definitively increased, meaning the financial position with regard to debt load has weakened. Deteriorating