To assess whether Terna S.p.A. is suitable to issue hybrid bonds, we must analyze its financial health, creditworthiness, and existing capital structure based on the provided 2022 annual report data. **1. Financial Performance and Stability:** * **Profitability:** The company demonstrates strong and growing profitability. Profit from continuing operations increased from €803.6 million in 2021 to €878.0 million in 2022. Net profit attributable to owners rose from €789.4 million to €857.0 million. * **Cash Flow:** Operating cash flow is robust, increasing significantly from €832.3 million in 2021 to €2,323.7 million in 2022. This strong cash generation capability is crucial for servicing the coupons associated with hybrid bonds, which are often discretionary but expected by investors. * **Revenue Growth:** Revenue increased from €2,534.5 million to €2,898.1 million, indicating a healthy top-line trajectory. **2. Capital Structure and Leverage:** * **Existing Hybrid Instruments:** The data explicitly lists "Equity Instruments Perpetual Hybrid Bonds" with a value of €989,000,000 in 2023 (up from 0 in the breakdown of changes, implying a recent issuance or reclassification). The fact that the company has already successfully issued nearly €1 billion in hybrid bonds indicates that the market already accepts its credit profile for such instruments. * **Equity Base:** Total equity attributable to owners of the parent is strong at €6,142 million. The issuance of hybrids has bolstered the equity base (specifically the "Capital Instruments Bonds Hybrid Perpetual" line item). * **Debt Levels:** Long-term borrowings are substantial (€8,416.7 million), but this is typical for a regulated utility infrastructure company (Terna is the Italian transmission system operator). The company manages its debt maturity profile with a mix of long-term and short-term borrowings. The strong operating cash flow covers interest expenses comfortably (Finance Costs were €121.8 million against an operating profit of €1,333.5 million). **3. Creditworthiness and Market Position:** * **Regulated Utility:** As the national electricity grid operator, Terna operates in a regulated environment with predictable cash flows, making it a low-risk issuer for fixed-income and hybrid instruments. * **Parent Support:** The ultimate parent is Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. (CDP), a state-owned financial institution. This implicit or explicit state backing enhances creditworthiness, making hybrid bonds highly attractive to investors and easier to place. **4. Suitability Assessment:** * **Strong Cash Coverage:** The company generates more than enough cash from operations to cover finance costs and potential hybrid coupons. * **Proven Access:** The presence of existing hybrid bonds on the balance sheet proves suitability and market access. * **Strategic Fit:** Hybrid bonds are often used by utilities to optimize their capital structure and meet regulatory equity requirements without diluting existing shareholders. Terna's financial metrics support further issuance if needed, or at least confirm the suitability of the current structure. Given the strong profitability, robust operating cash flows, existing successful issuance of hybrid bonds, and the stable nature of the utility business backed by a state-owned parent, the company is highly suitable for this instrument. Strongly Suitable