Pre-close period briefing

3i Group PLC
30 March 2006



30 March 2006





3i Group plc - Pre-close period briefing



3i Group plc ('3i'), a world leader in private equity and venture capital, will
be briefing analysts and investors ahead of its close period for the full year
to 31 March 2006.



3i expects to announce its full year results for the year ending 31 March 2006
on 11 May 2006.



The main topics that will be discussed with analysts and investors are set out
below.



1      Investment and realisations



3i invested a total of £1,184 million in the eleven months ended 28 February
2006, compared with £843 million in the equivalent period last year.  This
includes £186 million (2005: £157 million) invested on behalf of co-investment
funds managed by 3i.



Realisation proceeds received by 3i (excluding co-investment funds) totalled
£1,815 million in the eleven months ended 28 February, which compares with
realisation proceeds of £1,146 million in the equivalent period last year.



2      Returns



Realised profits (net of write-offs) on the disposal of investments for the
eleven month period to 28 February are expected to be significantly higher than
last year, reflecting the significant level of realisations.



An important element in the determination of 3i's results for the year to 31
March 2006 is the detailed valuation exercise carried out on its investment
portfolio as at that date. However, provisions against the carrying value of
investments in businesses which may fail are expected to be broadly in-line with
those made in the equivalent period last year.



3    Convertible bond and foreign exchange



The significant rise in the Company's share price has given rise to an increase
in the fair value of the derivative embedded in the €550 million Convertible
Bonds due 2008. The share price of 946p at the close of the market on 28 March
2006 would result in a fair value adjustment of approximately £(79) million (£
(14) million at 30 September 2005). In addition, a foreign exchange movement of
approximately £50 million (£35 million at 30 September 2005) accrued for the
eleven month period to 28 February, resulted mainly from the strengthening of
the dollar relative to sterling.



4      Return of capital to shareholders



Since receiving approval at its AGM in July 2005 to return surplus cash to
shareholders, 3i has paid a special dividend of approximately £245 million and
has since then made aggregate on-market purchases of £220 million (exclusive of
stamp duty and brokers' commissions).



Given the strong level of realisation proceeds, the Board is intending to make a
further return of cash to shareholders of not less than £500 million and expects
to make an announcement at the time of the full year results on 11 May 2006.





Philip Yea, 3i's Chief Executive, said:



'We have seen a continued strong performance from our business in buoyant
financing markets.  We have also continued to make good progress on our
strategic agenda, growing our investment levels in existing markets whilst
building capabilities in newer markets.'



Ends





For information please contact:


Simon Ball              Finance Director, 3i Group plc                           020 7975 3356
Patrick Dunne           Group Communications Director, 3i Group plc              020 7975 3283
Philip Gawith           The Maitland Consultancy                                 020 7379 5151





This statement gives some indication of 3i's expected return (and of key
components of that return) for the twelve months to 31 March 2006.  These
indications reflect the Board's current view.  They are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties and could change.  The final numbers for the twelve
months to 31 March 2006, due to be reported on 11 May 2006, may differ
accordingly.  Factors which could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to, general economic and market conditions and
specific factors affecting the financial prospects or performance of individual
investments within 3i's portfolio.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange