To estimate the S&P adjusted leverage trend, we must calculate the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for 2021 (reported at 2022-01-01) and 2022 (reported at 2023-01-01). **1. Calculate Net Debt for 2022-01-01:** * Financial Liabilities (Noncurrent + Current): 10,462,500,000 + 8,624,300,000 = 19,086,800,000 * Lease Liabilities (Noncurrent + Current): 1,298,100,000 + 410,600,000 = 1,708,700,000 * Bank Overdrafts: 241,900,000 * Gross Debt: 21,037,400,000 * Cash & Equivalents: 10,518,700,000 * Other Financial Assets (Noncurrent + Current, excluding derivatives): * Noncurrent: 3,770,300,000 + 1,191,400,000 + 431,200,000 = 5,392,900,000 * Current: 129,000,000 + 1,521,000,000 = 1,650,000,000 * Net Debt (2022-01-01) = 21,037,400,000 - 10,518,700,000 - 7,042,900,000 = 3,475,800,000 **2. Calculate Net Debt for 2023-01-01:** * Financial Liabilities: 19,692,100,000 + 6,521,400,000 = 26,213,500,000 * Lease Liabilities: 1,656,200,000 + 496,500,000 = 2,152,700,000 * Bank Overdrafts: 213,600,000 * Gross Debt: 28,579,800,000 * Cash & Equivalents: 9,012,200,000 * Other Financial Assets: * Noncurrent: 112,500,000 + 1,193,800,000 + 483,200,000 = 1,789,500,000 * Current: 182,800,000 + 2,213,500,000 = 2,396,300,000 * Net Debt (2023-01-01) = 28,579,800,000 - 9,012,200,000 - 4,185,800,000 = 15,381,800,000 **3. EBITDA Calculation (Operating Income + Depreciation/Amortization):** * 2022 EBITDA: 1,212,700,000 + 2,117,200,000 = 3,329,900,000 * 2023 EBITDA: 2,206,300,000 + 3,178,600,000 = 5,384,900,000 **4. Ratio Analysis:** * Ratio 2022: 3,475,800,000 / 3,329,900,000 ≈ 1.04x * Ratio 2023: 15,381,800,000 / 5,384,900,000 ≈ 2.86x * Difference: 2.86 - 1.04 = 1.82x Since 1.82x > 0.3x, the trend is Deteriorating. Deteriorating