To estimate S&P's adjusted leverage trend for 2022, we need to calculate the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for the years ending 2022 and 2021 (which correspond to the periods 2022-01-01 - 2023-01-01 and 2021-01-01 - 2022-01-01 in the provided data, as the 2022 annual report covers that timeframe). 1. **Calculate Net Debt for 2022 and 2021**: Net Debt = Total Debt - Cash and Cash Equivalents. Total Debt is typically defined as borrowings (both current and noncurrent). For 2022: - Noncurrent borrowings = 10,776,000,000 EUR - Current borrowings = 877,000,000 EUR - Total Debt 2022 = 10,776,000,000 + 877,000,000 = 11,653,000,000 EUR - Cash 2022 = 5,130,000,000 EUR - Net Debt 2022 = 11,653,000,000 - 5,130,000,000 = 6,523,000,000 EUR For 2021: - Noncurrent borrowings = 9,513,000,000 EUR - Current borrowings = 1,096,000,000 EUR - Total Debt 2021 = 9,513,000,000 + 1,096,000,000 = 10,609,000,000 EUR - Cash 2021 = 5,536,000,000 EUR - Net Debt 2021 = 10,609,000,000 - 5,536,000,000 = 5,073,000,000 EUR 2. **Calculate EBITDA for 2022 and 2021**: EBITDA = Profit from operations + Depreciation & Amortization. For 2022: - Profit from operations = 423,000,000 EUR - Amortization = 299,000,000 EUR - EBITDA 2022 = 423,000,000 + 299,000,000 = 722,000,000 EUR For 2021: - Profit from operations = 1,479,000,000 EUR - Amortization = 270,000,000 EUR - EBITDA 2021 = 1,479,000,000 + 270,000,000 = 1,749,000,000 EUR 3. **Calculate Net Debt / EBITDA ratios**: For 2022: 6,523,000,000 / 722,000,000 = 9.04x For 2021: 5,073,000,000 / 1,749,000,000 = 2.90x 4. **Determine the trend**: Gap = 9.04x - 2.90x = 6.14x The gap is significantly higher than +0.3x year-on-year, indicating a substantial increase in leverage. Therefore, the trend is Deteriorating. Deteriorating