To assess whether Iberdrola, S.A. is suitable to issue hybrid bonds, we need to evaluate its capital structure, leverage, interest coverage, and existing use of hybrid instruments. 1. **Capital Structure and Leverage**: Hybrid bonds are typically issued by companies to raise capital that is treated as equity (or quasi-equity) by rating agencies, improving debt-to-equity ratios without diluting shareholders. Looking at the balance sheet, Iberdrola has substantial noncontrolling interests (€16.995 billion) and total equity attributable to owners of €41.119 billion, against noncurrent financial liabilities of €44.216 billion and current financial liabilities of €25.079 billion. The total financial debt dwarfs the parent's equity, indicating a highly leveraged capital structure typical of heavy infrastructure/utilities. This makes the issuance of hybrid bonds (to count as equity for leverage metrics) highly strategic and desirable. 2. **Existing Familiarity with Hybrid Instruments**: The annual report explicitly shows transactions related to subordinated perpetual obligations ("Obligaciones Perpetuas Subordinadas"), which are essentially hybrid bonds. For 2021, the company issued €2.74 billion of these instruments, and it routinely pays interest on them (€169 million in 2022). This demonstrates that the company already utilizes hybrid bonds successfully in its capital structure and is well-versed in the mechanics of these instruments. 3. **Ability to Service Debt (Interest Coverage)**: The company's EBITDA for 2022 is €13.228 billion, and its profit from continuing operations is €5.131 billion. Finance costs were €3.042 billion. This provides a very healthy interest coverage ratio (EBITDA / Finance Costs ≈ 4.3x), indicating the company generates more than enough cash flow to service its debt, including the discretionary payments on hybrid bonds. 4. **Utility Sector Profile**: Iberdrola is a major multinational utility company. Utilities are classic issuers of hybrid bonds because their stable, regulated cash flows can support high leverage, and rating agencies allow significant equity credit for hybrids issued by utility companies to support their massive capital expenditure programs (e.g., €6.277 billion in PP&E purchases in 2022). Given the highly leveraged structure that necessitates equity-credit instruments, the proven existing track record of issuing perpetual subordinated debt, strong cash flow generation to cover coupon payments, and the favorable sector profile, Iberdrola is highly suitable to issue hybrid bonds. Strongly Suitable