EQT CEO Says IPO Resurgence Is Sparking Private Market Activity

Per Franzen, the chief executive officer of Swedish buyout firm EQT AB, sees the recent comeback of the listings market in Europe as having “a significantly positive impact on deal activity in private markets.”

Speaking in an interview after the company reported third-quarter earnings, Franzen cited three reasons for his bullish outlook after a number of major sponsor-led initial public offerings, including Verisure Plc earlier this month.

“It gives buyers confidence to pay up for assets, it reduces the bid-ask spread and it injects much needed liquidity into the private market ecosystem,” he said. The revival “is the ...