To assess the suitability of Veolia Environnement to issue hybrid bonds, we need to evaluate its financial profile, specifically looking at its existing use of hybrid instruments, leverage, cash flow generation, and overall credit quality. 1. **Existing Familiarity and Capacity with Hybrids**: The company already has a substantial amount of deeply subordinated securities (hybrid capital) on its balance sheet. As of Jan 1, 2023, this stands at €3.496 billion, representing a significant portion of its total equity (€14.867 billion) and making up about 4.8% of its total assets (€73.3 billion). Over 2022, the company seamlessly handled the contribution of €1.624 billion of Suez's hybrid debt and the repayment of €500 million of its own hybrids, demonstrating active management and a high degree of familiarity with these instruments in its capital structure. Rating agencies typically allow utilities to hold more hybrid equity than other sectors, and Veolia's existing stack shows it leverages this. 2. **Sector Profile**: Veolia is a major global utility and environmental services company. Utilities are characterized by stable, regulated, or long-term contracted cash flows, making them classic candidates for hybrid bonds, which are often favorably treated as equity by rating agencies in this sector. 3. **Financial Health and Scale**: The company has massive revenues (€42.885 billion for 2022) and strong operating cash flows (€4.148 billion from operating activities). While its financial debt is high (Noncurrent financial liabilities of €19.692 billion + Current of €6.521 billion), the scale of its cash generation comfortably covers its interest and debt service obligations. The significant size of its balance sheet provides ample capacity to absorb additional hybrid capital without overly-leveraging the junior tranche. Given the combination of its stable utility business model, extremely strong operating cash flows, and a proven, active track record of issuing and managing deeply subordinated (hybrid) securities in the multi-billion euro range, the company is highly suitable to issue hybrid bonds. Strongly Suitable