To estimate the S&P adjusted leverage trend for REN in 2022, we need to calculate the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for the years ending 2021 (reported as 2022-01-01 balance sheet and 2021-01-01 to 2022-01-01 income statement) and 2022 (reported as 2023-01-01 balance sheet and 2022-01-01 to 2023-01-01 income statement). Note: In financial reporting contexts provided here, the "2022" year usually refers to the fiscal year ending in 2022 (data available at 2023-01-01 for BS and flow for the period ending 2023-01-01). Let's clarify the periods: - Period 1 (FY2021): Balance Sheet at 2022-01-01, Income/Cash Flow for 2021-01-01 to 2022-01-01. - Period 2 (FY2022): Balance Sheet at 2023-01-01, Income/Cash Flow for 2022-01-01 to 2023-01-01. **Step 1: Calculate EBITDA for both periods.** EBITDA is typically calculated as Profit from Operating Activities + Depreciation and Amortization. Alternatively, Revenue - Operating Expenses (excluding D&A) + D&A. The provided data gives "Profit Loss From Operating Activities" and "Depreciation And Amortisation Expense". * **FY2021 (Period ending 2022-01-01):** * Profit from Operating Activities: 218,863,000 EUR * Depreciation and Amortization: 241,940,000 EUR * EBITDA 2021 = 218,863,000 + 241,940,000 = **460,803,000 EUR** * **FY2022 (Period ending 2023-01-01):** * Profit from Operating Activities: 239,721,000 EUR * Depreciation and Amortization: 249,276,000 EUR * EBITDA 2022 = 239,721,000 + 249,276,000 = **488,997,000 EUR** **Step 2: Calculate Net Debt for both periods.** Net Debt = Total Interest-Bearing Debt - Cash and Cash Equivalents. Interest-Bearing Debt includes Long-term Borrowings and Current Borrowings (and current portion of non-current). We should exclude non-debt liabilities like trade payables, provisions, etc. * **FY2021 (Balance Sheet at 2022-01-01):** * Long-term Borrowings: 2,390,852,000 EUR * Current Borrowings: 375,221,000 EUR * Total Debt = 2,390,852,000 + 375,221,000 = 2,766,073,000 EUR * Cash and Cash Equivalents: 398,759,000 EUR * Net Debt 2021 = 2,766,073,000 - 398,759,000 = **2,367,314,000 EUR** * **FY2022 (Balance Sheet at 2023-01-01):** * Long-term Borrowings: 1,695,362,000 EUR * Current Borrowings: 638,944,000 EUR * Total Debt = 1,695,362,000 + 638,944,000 = 2,334,306,000 EUR * Cash and Cash Equivalents: 365,292,000 EUR * Net Debt 2022 = 2,334,306,000 - 365,292,000 = **1,969,014,000 EUR** *Note: S&P adjustments might include lease liabilities or other items, but based on standard definitions using the provided explicit "Borrowings" lines is the most robust approach given the data. Lease payments are small (2.1M), so their impact on the principal debt stock is likely minor relative to the billions in borrowings. Even if we added lease liabilities (not explicitly broken out as principal stock, only payments), the trend direction is driven by the massive reduction in borrowings.* **Step 3: Calculate Leverage Ratios (Net Debt / EBITDA).** * **Leverage 2021:** * 2,367,314,000 / 460,803,000 ≈ **5.14x** * **Leverage 2022:** * 1,969,014,000 / 488,997,000 ≈ **4.03x** **Step 4: Determine the Trend.** * Change in Leverage = Leverage 2022 - Leverage 2021 * Change = 4.03x - 5.14x = **-1.11x** The leverage ratio decreased by approximately 1.11x. The prompt defines: - **Improving**: gap < 0.3x (Note: The prompt says "if the gap ... is lower than 0.3x is improving". Usually, a *decrease* in leverage is improving. A gap of -1.11 is algebraically lower than 0.3. However, standard interpretation of "gap" in these prompts often refers to the absolute magnitude of change or the direction. Let's re-read carefully: "if the gap of the ratio ... year on year is lower than 0.3x is improving. If higher is Deteriorating." - If the ratio goes down (5.14 -> 4.03), the company is less leveraged. This is financially "Improving". - The "gap" is -1.11. Is -1.11 < 0.3? Yes. - Even if we consider absolute change |1.11|, it is > 0.3. But the direction is key. A reduction in debt/EBITDA is an improvement in credit quality. - Let's check the "Stable" definition: "gap ... is among ± 0.3x". This implies Stable is when the change is between -0.3 and +0.3. - The change is -1.11. This is outside the stable range. - Since the leverage decreased significantly, the credit profile is strengthening. Therefore, it is Improving. Let's double check the logic. If Leverage 2021 = 5.14x If Leverage 2022 = 4.03x The leverage has gone down. Lower leverage is better for credit ratings. Thus, the trend is Improving. Improving