To determine the S&P adjusted leverage trend, we calculate the Net Debt to EBITDA ratio for 2021 (for the period ending 2022-01-01) and 2022 (for the period ending 2023-01-01). **1. Calculate Net Debt:** * **Net Debt 2021 (as of 2022-01-01):** * Total Borrowings: Short-term borrowings (2,299M) + Current portion of long-term borrowings (1,781M) + Long-term borrowings (23,714M) = 27,794M EUR. * Less Cash and Cash Equivalents: 8,254M EUR. * Net Debt = 27,794 - 8,254 = 19,540M EUR. * **Net Debt 2022 (as of 2023-01-01):** * Total Borrowings: Short-term borrowings (4,446M) + Current portion of long-term borrowings (3,097M) + Long-term borrowings (19,374M) = 26,917M EUR. * Less Cash and Cash Equivalents: 10,155M EUR. * Net Debt = 26,917 - 10,155 = 16,762M EUR. **2. Calculate EBITDA:** * **EBITDA 2021 (for year 2021):** * Profit from Operating Activities: 12,341M EUR. * Add: Depreciation & Amortisation: 7,063M EUR. * Add: Impairment losses/Write-offs: 167M + 387M = 554M EUR. * EBITDA = 12,341 + 7,063 + 554 = 19,958M EUR. * **EBITDA 2022 (for year 2022):** * Profit from Operating Activities: 17,510M EUR. * Add: Depreciation & Amortisation: 7,205M EUR. * Add: Impairment losses/Write-offs: 1,140M + 599M = 1,739M EUR. * EBITDA = 17,510 + 7,205 + 1,739 = 26,454M EUR. **3. Calculate Ratios:** * **Ratio 2021:** 19,540 / 19,958 ≈ 0.979x. * **Ratio 2022:** 16,762 / 26,454 ≈ 0.634x. **4. Trend Analysis:** * Difference = 0.634 - 0.979 = -0.345. * The gap is -0.345x. Since the ratio decreased by more than 0.3x (meaning the leverage improved by more than 0.3x), the trend is Improving. Improving