To estimate S&P's adjusted leverage trend for 2022, we need to calculate the Net Debt / EBITDA ratio for the years ending 2022-01-01 (representing the 2021 fiscal year) and 2023-01-01 (representing the 2022 fiscal year), and then compare the change. **Step 1: Calculate EBITDA for both periods.** EBITDA is typically calculated as Profit from Operating Activities + Depreciation, Amortization, and Impairment. * **For the period 2021-01-01 to 2022-01-01 (FY 2021):** * Profit Loss From Operating Activities: 583,231,000 EUR * Depreciation Amortisation And Impairment Loss Reversal...: 445,251,000 EUR * EBITDA 2021 = 583,231,000 + 445,251,000 = **1,028,482,000 EUR** * **For the period 2022-01-01 to 2023-01-01 (FY 2022):** * Profit Loss From Operating Activities: 641,338,000 EUR * Depreciation Amortisation And Impairment Loss Reversal...: 479,186,000 EUR * EBITDA 2022 = 641,338,000 + 479,186,000 = **1,120,524,000 EUR** **Step 2: Calculate Net Debt for both periods.** Net Debt is typically calculated as Total Financial Debt (Current + Non-Current) minus Cash and Cash Equivalents. We must identify financial liabilities and assets from the provided facts. * **For 2022-01-01 (End of FY 2021):** * *Financial Liabilities:* * Short Term Financial Liabilities Excluding Other Current Financial Liabilities: 591,188,000 EUR * Other Current Financial Liabilities: 290,000 EUR * Long Term Financial Liabilities Excluding Other Non Current Financial Liabilities: 5,785,707,000 EUR * Other Noncurrent Financial Liabilities: 6,283,000 EUR * Total Financial Debt = 591,188,000 + 290,000 + 5,785,707,000 + 6,283,000 = 6,383,468,000 EUR * *Cash and Cash Equivalents:* * Cash And Cash Equivalents: 1,391,763,000 EUR * *Net Debt 2021* = 6,383,468,000 - 1,391,763,000 = **4,991,705,000 EUR** * **For 2023-01-01 (End of FY 2022):** * *Financial Liabilities:* * Short Term Financial Liabilities Excluding Other Current Financial Liabilities: 142,437,000 EUR * Other Current Financial Liabilities: 290,000 EUR * Long Term Financial Liabilities Excluding Other Non Current Financial Liabilities: 6,402,913,000 EUR * Other Noncurrent Financial Liabilities: 34,000 EUR * Total Financial Debt = 142,437,000 + 290,000 + 6,402,913,000 + 34,000 = 6,545,674,000 EUR * *Cash and Cash Equivalents:* * Cash And Cash Equivalents: 451,946,000 EUR * *Net Debt 2022* = 6,545,674,000 - 451,946,000 = **6,093,728,000 EUR** **Step 3: Calculate Leverage Ratios (Net Debt / EBITDA).** * **Leverage 2021:** 4,991,705,000 / 1,028,482,000 ≈ **4.85x** * **Leverage 2022:** 6,093,728,000 / 1,120,524,000 ≈ **5.44x** **Step 4: Determine the Trend.** * Change in Leverage = Leverage 2022 - Leverage 2021 * Change = 5.44x - 4.85x = **+0.59x** The definition states: * Stable: Gap is between -0.3x and +0.3x. * Improving: Gap is lower than -0.3x (leverage decreases significantly). * Deteriorating: Gap is higher than +0.3x (leverage increases significantly). Since the leverage increased by 0.59x, which is greater than 0.3x, the trend is Deteriorating. Deteriorating