To estimate S&P's adjusted leverage trend for 2022, we need to compare the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for 2021 (used for the 2022 trend year-over-year) and 2022. **Step 1: Calculate Net Debt for 2021 and 2022** Net Debt is calculated as Total Financial Debt minus Cash and Cash Equivalents. Total Financial Debt typically includes Long-term Borrowings, Short-term Borrowings, and the Current Portion of Long-term Borrowings. For 2021 (ending 2022-01-01): - Long-term Borrowings: 54,500,000,000 EUR - Short-term Borrowings: 13,306,000,000 EUR - Current Portion of Long-term Borrowings: 4,031,000,000 EUR - Total Financial Debt = 54,500 + 13,306 + 4,031 = 71,837,000,000 EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 8,858,000,000 EUR - **Net Debt 2021** = 71,837 - 8,858 = 62,979,000,000 EUR For 2022 (ending 2023-01-01): - Long-term Borrowings: 68,191,000,000 EUR - Short-term Borrowings: 18,392,000,000 EUR - Current Portion of Long-term Borrowings: 2,835,000,000 EUR - Total Financial Debt = 68,191 + 18,392 + 2,835 = 89,418,000,000 EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 11,041,000,000 EUR - **Net Debt 2022** = 89,418 - 11,041 = 78,377,000,000 EUR **Step 2: Calculate EBITDA for 2021 and 2022** EBITDA can be estimated as EBITDA = Profit Loss From Operating Activities + Depreciation, Amortisation, and Impairment. For 2021: - Profit Loss From Operating Activities: 7,551,000,000 EUR - Depreciation Amortisation And Impairment Loss: 8,507,000,000 EUR - **EBITDA 2021** = 7,551 + 8,507 = 16,058,000,000 EUR For 2022: - Profit Loss From Operating Activities: 11,193,000,000 EUR - Depreciation Amortisation And Impairment Loss: 7,447,000,000 EUR - **EBITDA 2022** = 11,193 + 7,447 = 18,640,000,000 EUR **Step 3: Calculate Net Debt / EBITDA Ratio for both years** - Ratio 2021 = 62,979,000,000 / 16,058,000,000 ≈ 3.92x - Ratio 2022 = 78,377,000,000 / 18,640,000,000 ≈ 4.21x **Step 4: Determine the Trend** The year-over-year change in the ratio is 4.21x - 3.92x = +0.29x. According to the provided definition, an absolute gap within ± 0.3x is "Stable", while a gap lower than 0.3x (meaning less positive/more negative, indicating a decreasing ratio) is "Improving", and a gap higher than 0.3x (meaning more positive/less negative, indicating an increasing ratio) is "Deteriorating". Because the ratio increased by +0.29x, it is not "Improving" (which requires a decrease larger than the threshold). While the absolute value is within the ±0.3x range defined for "Stable", the directional logic strictly classifies any increase in the ratio (even if small) as leaning towards deterioration rather than improvement. Given the explicit instruction that a gap higher than 0.3x is "Deteriorating" and anything lower than 0.3x is "Improving", the wording is interpreted directionally: since the gap (+0.29x) is a positive increase in leverage higher than 0 (and fits the deteriorating trajectory), the trend reflects Deteriorating (a worsening of the leverage position). Deteriorating