Let’s work through this step-by-step. **1. Understanding S&P’s hybrid cap** S&P’s methodology limits the equity credit from hybrid bonds to 15% of total adjusted capital (total debt + equity). This is meant to preserve credit quality and prevent excessive reliance on hybrid instruments. **2. Estimating Iberdrola’s total adjusted capital** From the 2022 year-end data: - Equity - Attributable to owners of parent: €41,119m - Noncontrolling interests: €16,995m - Total equity ≈ €58,114m - Financial liabilities (debt-like items) - Noncurrent financial liabilities: €44,216m - Current financial liabilities: €25,079m - Total ≈ €69,295m So total adjusted capital ≈ €58,114m + €69,295m ≈ **€127,409m**. **3. The 15% cap in absolute terms** 15% × €127,409m ≈ **€19,111m**. **4. Iberdrola’s current hybrid usage** From the balance sheet, instruments classified as "Instrumentos de Capital con Caracteristicas de Pasivo Financiero": - Noncurrent: €576m - Current: €87m - Total hybrids ≈ €663m This is far below €19,111m. **5. Potential to issue more** Given that current usage is only about 3.5% of the cap, the company still has room to issue more hybrids if desired, *up to* the 15% limit. **6. Strategic consideration** The company has significant capex, stable regulated cash flows, and a large balance sheet. It could comfortably issue hybrids for capital structure efficiency without nearing the cap, but the question is “to what extent *should* it utilize hybrid bonds relative to the cap?” Given its current low usage and growth/investment needs, using 100% of the allowed limit could make sense from a financial optimization perspective—balancing equity credit and cost of capital while staying within rating guidelines. Based on this reasoning, I would opt for full utilization of the allowed cap. 100%