To estimate S&P's credit trend for REN - REDES ENERGÉTICAS NACIONAIS, SGPS, S.A., we analyze the company under the "Regulated Utilities" industry methodology. We'll compute the Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and Adjusted Debt for 2021 and 2022. **Step 1: 2021 Estimates** * **Adjusted EBITDA:** Reported Operating Profit: €218.86M Depreciation & Amortization: €241.94M Share of Profit of Associates (to be deducted): €6.43M Dividends Received from Investments (to be added): €13.22M Impairment Losses (to be added back): €1.31M *Adjusted EBITDA (2021)* = 218.86 + 241.94 - 6.43 + 13.22 + 1.31 = €468.90M * **Funds From Operations (FFO):** Cash Interest Paid: €39.75M (Borrowings €39.73M + Leases €0.02M) Cash Taxes Paid: €74.25M *FFO (2021)* = 468.90 - 39.75 - 74.25 = €354.90M * **Adjusted Debt:** Reported Short & Long-Term Borrowings: €2,766.07M Pension Deficit (Noncurrent Provisions for Employee Benefits): €94.11M Less Cash & Equivalents: €398.76M *Adjusted Debt (2021)* = 2,766.07 + 94.11 - 398.76 = €2,461.42M * **2021 Ratios:** Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA = 2,461.42 / 468.90 = **5.25x** FFO / Adjusted Debt = 354.90 / 2,461.42 = **14.42%** **Step 2: 2022 Estimates** * **Adjusted EBITDA:** Reported Operating Profit: €239.72M Depreciation & Amortization: €249.28M Share of Profit of Associates (deducted): €11.81M Dividends Received from Investments (added): €21.55M Impairment Losses (added back): €1.44M *Adjusted EBITDA (2022)* = 239.72 + 249.28 - 11.81 + 21.55 + 1.44 = €500.18M * **Funds From Operations (FFO):** Cash Interest Paid: €40.57M (Borrowings €40.54M + Leases €0.03M) Cash Taxes Paid: €77.97M *FFO (2022)* = 500.18 - 40.57 - 77.97 = €381.64M * **Adjusted Debt:** Reported Short & Long-Term Borrowings: €2,334.31M Pension Deficit: €64.94M Less Cash & Equivalents: €365.29M *Adjusted Debt (2022)* = 2,334.31 + 64.94 - 365.29 = €2,033.96M * **2022 Ratios:** Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA = 2,033.96 / 500.18 = **4.07x** FFO / Adjusted Debt = 381.64 / 2,033.96 = **18.76%** **Step 3: Credit Trend Evaluation** * **Signal 1 (Leverage):** The Adjusted Debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio decreased from 5.25x to 4.07x, a substantial change of -1.18x. Since this is well below the -0.2x threshold, this indicates an *Improving* trend. * **Signal 2 (Cash-flow coverage):** The FFO / Adjusted Debt ratio increased from 14.42% to 18.76%, a change of +4.34 percentage points (+0.0434). Since this clears the +0.03 threshold, this also indicates an *Improving* trend. With strong deleveraging through strong free operating cash flow generation leading to debt paydown, both indicators cleanly point to a positive trajectory. Improving