Naturgy appears to have several characteristics that can support hybrid bond issuance, but also some leverage and cash-flow considerations that prevent an unqualified “strong” assessment. Key positives: - Large, established utility/energy group with substantial asset base: total assets were €40.39bn at 2022 year-end. - Strong operating profitability: 2022 EBITDA was €4.954bn, up from €3.529bn in 2021. - Solid operating cash generation: operating cash flow was €4.242bn in 2022, materially higher than €1.001bn in 2021. - Positive net income and retained market access indicators: profit attributable to owners was €1.649bn, and the company continued paying dividends. - Equity base improved: total equity increased from €8.873bn to €9.979bn. - Hybrid bonds are often suitable for regulated or quasi-regulated utilities because they can support capital structure management while receiving partial equity treatment from rating agencies. Key constraints: - Financial debt is sizeable. Long-term borrowings plus current borrowings were about €14.799bn, and total financial liabilities including lease liabilities were materially higher. - Net debt remains significant relative to EBITDA, though not extreme for a utility: borrowings and lease liabilities less cash were roughly €12.3bn, implying around 2.5x EBITDA on a simplified basis. - Financing cash flow was negative, reflecting dividends, treasury share purchases, and debt repayments. - The company operates in volatile energy markets, and derivatives/current liabilities are substantial, adding complexity to liquidity and risk assessment. - We do not have explicit credit ratings, debt maturity profile, interest coverage covenants, or regulatory capital treatment details, which are important for a definitive hybrid bond suitability view. Overall, Naturgy has the scale, profitability, cash generation, and utility-sector profile that make it a plausible hybrid bond issuer. However, given meaningful leverage, shareholder distributions, and absent credit-rating/liquidity detail, the most balanced assessment is that it is suitable, but not unequivocally so. Marginally Suitable