Pre close meetings

3i Group PLC 6 September 2001 3i Group plc - Pre Close Briefings 6 September 2001 3i Group plc ( '3i' ) will today start its usual pre close period analyst briefings ahead of the announcement of its interim results on 15 November 2001. 3i's performance to date is broadly in line with market expectations. The outlook for venture capital activity remains the same as outlined at the results presentation in May 2001. The main topics which will be discussed are: 1. Investment 3i has continued to make investments in a broad range of sectors and geographies, although, as predicted, at a lower rate than last year. The slowdown in the venture capital market since 2000 is providing some attractive investment opportunities. 2. Realisations 3i stated in May 2001 that venture capital activity would fall this year. A weaker market for IPO's together with lower mergers and acquisitions activity has resulted in fewer realisations from the portfolio compared with the record level achieved last year. 3. Unquoted Portfolio The majority of the 3i unquoted portfolio continues to perform satisfactorily despite tougher economic conditions, particularly for manufacturing and technology sectors. However we expect that the level of provisions against investments will increase compared with last year. 4. Quoted Portfolio Quoted markets have continued to weaken since the announcement of the annual results in May. This has resulted in a fall in the value of the quoted portfolio. 5. Strategy 3i continues to make good progress towards the strategic objectives outlined in May 2001. Ends For information please contact: Michael Queen - Finance Director - 3i Group plc - 020 7975 3400 Liz Hewitt - Director of Corporate Affairs - 020 7975 3283 Philip Gawith - The Maitland Consultancy - 020 7379 5151

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3i Group (III)
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