# Reasoning To determine S&P's adjusted leverage trend, I need to calculate the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for 2022 and 2023, then compare the year-on-year change. ## Step 1: Calculate EBITDA for 2022 and 2023 EBITDA = Operating Profit + Depreciation & Amortisation **For 2022 (2022-01-01 to 2023-01-01):** - Profit from Operating Activities: 533,800,000 EUR - Amortisation Depreciation and Provisions: 667,100,000 EUR - EBITDA = 533,800,000 + 667,100,000 = 1,200,900,000 EUR **For 2021 (2021-01-01 to 2022-01-01):** - Profit from Operating Activities: 611,700,000 EUR - Amortisation Depreciation and Provisions: 612,100,000 EUR - EBITDA = 611,700,000 + 612,100,000 = 1,223,800,000 EUR ## Step 2: Calculate Net Debt for 2022 and 2023 Net Debt = Total Financial Liabilities - Cash and Cash Equivalents **As of 2023-01-01:** - Noncurrent Financial Liabilities: 5,689,900,000 EUR - Current Financial Liabilities: 650,100,000 EUR - Total Financial Liabilities: 6,340,000,000 EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 1,942,400,000 EUR - Net Debt (2023) = 6,340,000,000 - 1,942,400,000 = 4,397,600,000 EUR **As of 2022-01-01:** - Noncurrent Financial Liabilities: 3,716,000,000 EUR - Current Financial Liabilities: 499,700,000 EUR - Total Financial Liabilities: 4,215,700,000 EUR - Cash and Cash Equivalents: 885,600,000 EUR - Net Debt (2022) = 4,215,700,000 - 885,600,000 = 3,330,100,000 EUR ## Step 3: Calculate Net Debt / EBITDA Ratio **For 2022 (using 2023 closing data with 2022 fiscal year EBITDA):** - Net Debt / EBITDA = 4,397,600,000 / 1,200,900,000 = 3.66x **For 2021 (using 2022 closing data with 2021 fiscal year EBITDA):** - Net Debt / EBITDA = 3,330,100,000 / 1,223,800,000 = 2.72x ## Step 4: Calculate Year-on-Year Change Gap = 3.66x - 2.72x = 0.94x ## Step 5: Apply the Definition According to the provided definition: - Improving: gap < 0.3x (ratio improves) - Stable: gap between ±0.3x - Deteriorating: gap > 0.3x (ratio worsens) The gap of 0.94x is **greater than 0.3x**, indicating a **deterioration** in the leverage ratio. Net Debt / EBITDA increased from 2.72x to 3.66x, which represents a significant deterioration in the company's adjusted leverage position. Deteriorating