EQT AB (publ) is pleased to announce that Fitch Ratings Ltd. has assigned EQT a long-term issuer rating of A- (stable). The rating reflects, inter alia, EQT’s strong franchise across investment strategies and geographies, its consistent investment performance and proven fund-raising abilities as well as its sound financial metrics.

Furthermore, EQT AB (publ) today announces the intention to arrange a series of fixed income investor calls commencing on 4 May 2021, with a view to issuing its first ever fixed income instrument. EQT is contemplating a EUR denominated sustainability-linked notes (the “Notes”) offering (the “Offering”), subject to market conditions.

The Offering will be made in accordance with the EQT Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework published on www.eqtgroup.com. The Notes, if issued, will further increase EQT AB Group’s financial flexibility and be used for general corporate purposes, supporting its growth initiatives and long-term strategy. The Offering emphasizes EQT’s approach of having sustainability as an integral part of the business model of EQT AB Group and the EQT funds’ portfolio companies.

The Notes, if issued, will be the first sustainability-linked note from a private equity firm where the bond’s coupon rate is connected to predetermined sustainability performance targets, hence incentivizing sustainability achievements. The Notes are expected to be linked to EQT AB (publ) achieving commitments related to setting science based targets for greenhouse gas reductions and to gender diversity, both within the EQT AB Group and the EQT funds’ portfolio company boards. In addition, ISS-ESG supports in its second party opinion that the sustainability linked structure is relevant, core and material to EQT AB as well as that it is aligned with ICMA’s sustainability-linked bond principles.

Contact
Olof Svensson, Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 72 989 09 15
Nina Nornholm, Head of Communications, +46 70 855 03 56
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

To access the Sustainability Linked Financing Framework, click here.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO RISK AND UNCERTAINTY

This press release may include certain "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "would," "should," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or the negative of any thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or intentions. These statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual actions or results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements as EQT AB (publ) may be unable to complete the Offering. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they were made and EQT AB (publ) undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

DISCLAIMER

No EU PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as the Notes will not be available to retail investors in the EEA or the United Kingdom.

This announcement is directed only at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom (the “UK”), or (ii) persons who are in the UK who are (a) persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (b) who are high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated under the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act).

A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time.

This announcement is not intended to be distributed to or reviewed by anyone other than you. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

This announcement does not constitute nor form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in Singapore or elsewhere. The notes referred to herein have not been and will not be offered or sold or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the SFA - In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), EQT AB (publ) has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), the classification of the securities referred to herein as prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018).

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of almost three decades of delivering consistent and attractive returns across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. Uniquely, EQT is the only large private markets firm in the world with investment strategies covering all phases of a business’ development, from start-up to maturity. Including Exeter, EQT today has more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.

The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in 24 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and has more than 975 employees.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

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