EQT Partners CEO Per Franzen described a "surprisingly positive" mood at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, he noted a renewed appetite for deals and transactions among attendees. This shift follows a period of market uncertainty and could signal a thaw in global M&A activity, a key business for private equity firms like EQT.

Franzen also highlighted growing political interest in public-private partnerships. Leaders at the forum are increasingly exploring these models to fund large-scale projects. For investors, this signals potential new investment pipelines and opportunities, though it also introduces regulatory and execution complexities that firms must navigate carefully.

The conversation on the sidelines of Davos suggests a cautious optimism returning to boardrooms. While deal volumes have been subdued, the tone Franzen describes indicates strategic conversations are resuming. The next test will be whether this sentiment translates into concrete transactions and capital deployment in the coming quarters.