EQT Sees Exits Slowing With Near Shutdown of Debt, IPO Markets

Swedish private equity firm EQT AB is preparing for a slowdown in investment exits as banks turn more circumspect about deal financing and initial public offerings grind to a halt.

“The IPO market is closed, the high yield market is barely open — it’s pretty closed off right now,” Chief Executive Officer Christian Sinding said in an interview after the company reported first-quarter results. He added that the second quarter will be a “bit slower.”

Amid the volatility across risk assets, banks are increasingly skittish about extending their balance sheets for leveraged deals. Staple financing for EQT’s Karo Healthcare ...