I'll analyze IBERDROLA SA's suitability for hybrid bond issuance based on the provided financial data, rating methodology, and guidance criteria. ## Key Analysis Points ### 1. **Business Profile and Sector Classification** IBERDROLA SA is a major Spanish utility company. Based on the financial data: - Revenue: €53.9 billion (2022), up from €39.1 billion (2021) - Significant regulated utility characteristics with substantial infrastructure assets (Property Plant and Equipment: €86.3 billion) - Diverse operations across power generation, distribution, and retail The company clearly fits the **regulated/quasi-regulated utility** category mentioned in the "Strongly Suitable" criteria. ### 2. **Financial Metrics and Credit Profile** From the provided data: - **S&P Net Debt / EBITDA for 2022: 3.91** - This is in the BBB-range territory for utilities - **S&P FFO / Net Debt for 2022: 0.1965** - This translates to roughly FFO/Net Debt of ~19.7%, or Net Debt/FFO of ~5.1x - **Moody's adjusted leverage trend: Stable** For context, the EBITDA for 2022 was €13.2 billion ("Beneficio Bruto De Explotacion Ebitda"), with strong operating cash flow generation (€10.4 billion from operating activities). These metrics suggest an **investment-grade profile in the BBB area**, consistent with "Strongly Suitable" criteria. ### 3. **Hybrid Bond History** - **First year of hybrid bond issuance: 2013** - **Issued hybrid bonds in 2021 or 2022: YES** This is a critical signal. The guidance explicitly states: "an entity having issued hybrid bonds is highly likely Strongly Suitable, or at least Marginally Suitable." IBERDROLA has a **9-year track record** of hybrid issuance, demonstrating market access and credibility. ### 4. **Asset Base and Cash Flow Visibility** - Non-current assets: €131.3 billion (85% of total assets) - Property, plant and equipment: €86.3 billion - Construction in progress: €11.5 billion (indicating ongoing investment program) - Right-of-use assets: €2.4 billion This is **highly visible, infrastructure-like cash flow generation** - exactly what hybrid bond investors seek. ### 5. **Capital Structure and Equity** - Total Equity: €58.1 billion - Non-controlling interests: €17.0 billion (significant, indicating subsidiary structures) - Issued capital: €4.8 billion - Reserves: €36.8 billion The presence of "Instrumentos De Capital Con Caracteristicas De Pasivo Financiero" (capital instruments with financial liability characteristics) - both current (€87M) and non-current (€576M) - indicates **existing hybrid/perpetual capital instruments** in the structure. ### 6. **Use of Proceeds and Funding Rationale** - Heavy capex program: €6.3 billion PP&E purchases in 2022, €6.3 billion in 2021 - Construction in progress growing from €9.1 billion to €11.5 billion (26% increase) - Strong refinancing needs with €10.5 billion in current debt instruments This demonstrates **strong refinancing, capex funding rationale** - another "Strongly Suitable" criterion. ### 7. **Market Environment (2022)** - Rising rate environment (5Y swap at 1.726%, 10Y at 1.927%) - Corporate bond spreads elevated - This creates favorable conditions for hybrid issuance as companies seek diversified funding sources ### 8. **Regulatory Advantage Assessment** Per S&P's regulated utilities methodology, IBERDROLA operates in: - Spain (core market with established regulatory framework) - UK (through ScottishPower) - US (through Avangrid) - Brazil (through Neoenergia) Multiple jurisdictions with generally **adequate to strong regulatory frameworks**, particularly in Spain and UK. The company benefits from: - Transparent tariff-setting procedures - Cost recovery mechanisms - Renewable energy policy support (green transition tailwinds) ### 9. **Rating Dynamics** - Net Debt/EBITDA of 3.91x is manageable for a utility - FFO/Net Debt of 0.1965 (19.65%) - when inverted to FFO/Debt metrics, this suggests moderate leverage - **Hybrid issuance could materially improve adjusted leverage metrics** by receiving equity credit from rating agencies (typically 50% equity treatment for hybrids) This aligns with "hybrid issuance could materially improve adjusted leverage, FFO/debt, or rating headroom" - a "Strongly Suitable" criterion. ### 10. **Financial Policy Credibility** - Consistent dividend policy (€0.18/share recognized, €0.31/share proposed) - Active treasury share management - Long track record of capital markets access - Existing hybrid instruments demonstrate familiarity with product ## Conclusion IBERDROLA SA meets virtually all criteria for **Strongly Suitable**: - ✅ Regulated/utility business with highly visible cash flows - ✅ Investment-grade profile (BBB area metrics) - ✅ Hybrid issuance would materially improve leverage metrics - ✅ Strong capex and refinancing funding rationale - ✅ High credibility in capital markets (hybrid issuer since 2013) - ✅ Recent hybrid issuance (2021-2022) - ✅ Stable Moody's leverage trend - ✅ Large, diversified, infrastructure-heavy asset base The company's established hybrid bond program, utility characteristics, investment-grade credit metrics, and clear funding needs for its energy transition capex program make it an ideal hybrid bond issuer. Strongly Suitable