The 3.3% progress achieved in the quarter at EBITDA level is evidence of Hera’s sound and visionary business-model approach, which was also able to leverage internal and external growth drivers, creating value and offsetting both the negative impacts of the macroeconomic scenario and the WACC cut set by the Regulator.

Despite the increase in net working capital due to the rise in energy prices and the pursuit of an intensive investment programme, Hera managed to maintain a solid financial structure, capable of supporting both customers in need, with bill payment in instalments, and the forthcoming distribution of dividend of 12-euro cent per share, confirming its growing shareholder remuneration policy.

In early 2022, the stock market’s performance has been heavily affected by a combination of negative factors, whose future evolution is difficult to predict.

Geopolitical tensions, inflation, and rising interest rates, all weigh on the economic growth outlook.

In this context, Hera stock outperformed both the FTSE MIB and the Italian utilities index.