EQT Boss Confident Insider Probe Won’t Derail Global Expansion
- Ending post-IPO lockup early sparked market abuse probe
- Stock’s surge since listing has minted a dozen billionaires
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It was supposed to be a day of celebration for EQT AB Chief Executive Officer Christian Sinding, who presided over an initial public offering two years ago that turned a dozen partners into billionaires. Instead, the Swedish financial watchdog picked the anniversary to launch a probe into suspected market abuse.
The Financial Supervisory Authority opened an investigation after the firm allowed insiders to unload some of their holdings a year earlier than planned, cashing in on a fivefold surge in the stock. EQT’s partners netted $2.7 billion on Sept. 8, causing outrage among some investors. The stock fell as much as 8.1% on Friday.