EQT to sell €1.7 billion stake in Spain's Parques Reunidos, Expansion says

Sept 25 (Reuters) - Swedish private equity firm EQT is preparing to sell its controlling stake in Spanish theme park operator Parques Reunidos, newspaper Expansion reported on Friday, citing unnamed market sources.

• The private equity firm has hired JPMorgan to help with the sale of the stake, Expansion said

• According to the sources, the stake is valued at about €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion)

• Parques Reunidos manages dozens of theme parks, zoos and water parks across Europe, including Madrid's Parque Warner

• EQT owns 51% of the company, while Corporacion Financiera Alba and Belgian investment fund Groep Brussel Lambert hold stakes of 25% and 23%, respectively

• EQT did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Parques Reunidos said it does not comment on matters relating to its shareholders or on potential transactions

($1 = 0.8791 euros)

(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga; Editing by Jan Harvey)