To assess the suitability of ITALGAS S.P.A. for the issuance of hybrid bonds, we can evaluate its profile against the key criteria for hybrid capital instruments: 1. **Sector and Cash Flow Visibility**: As Italy's leading natural gas distributor, Italgas operates in a regulated utility framework. Regulated utilities benefit from transparent tariff-setting mechanisms and highly visible, predictable cash flows. S&P assesses this sector favorably (often applying low volatility tables), making it an ideal candidate for hybrid bonds, as investors are comfortable with the stability of the underlying business to service subordinated debt. 2. **Financial Profile and Leverage**: The company's 2022 results indicate an EBITDA of approximately €1.12 billion (Operating Profit of €641M + D&A of €479M). With long-term and short-term financial debt totaling around €6.54 billion and cash of €452 million, its Net Debt stands at approximately €6.09 billion. This translates to a Net Debt / EBITDA ratio of ~5.4x and an FFO / Net Debt ratio of ~15%. These metrics place Italgas squarely in the solid "BBB" investment-grade area, the typical sweet spot for corporate hybrid issuers seeking to defend their ratings. 3. **Funding Rationale (Capex & M&A)**: During 2022, Italgas engaged in significant capital deployment. The cash flow statement shows heavy capital expenditures (purchase of intangible assets and PP&E) of over €770 million, along with a massive €874 million outflow for "Investments in Change in Scope of Consolidation and Business Units" (M&A activities, likely corresponding to its acquisition of DEPA Infrastructure). Because of these outflows, the company's cash and cash equivalents plunged from €1.39 billion to €452 million. 4. **Impact of Hybrid Issuance**: Given the depletion of cash to fund M&A and ongoing network investments, Italgas has a strong fundamental rationale for issuing a hybrid bond. A hybrid would allow the company to fund its growth trajectory and replenish liquidity without pressuring its senior credit metrics. Because S&P generally grants 50% equity content to corporate hybrids, an issuance would materially improve Italgas's adjusted FFO-to-Debt ratios and preserve its rating headroom. Conclusion: Italgas S.P.A. is a quintessential candidate for hybrid bonds. Its regulated nature, solid but leveraged BBB-area profile, and substantial M&A and capex funding needs perfectly align with the core characteristics of regular corporate hybrid issuers. Strongly Suitable