Pre-close period briefing

3i Group PLC
27 September 2007




27 September 2007


3i Group plc - Pre-close period briefing

3i Group plc ('3i'), a world leader in private equity and venture capital, will
be holding discussions with analysts and investors ahead of its close period for
the six months ending 30 September 2007.  This statement sets out the
information that will be covered in those discussions.  3i expects to announce
its results for the six months ending 30 September 2007 on 8 November 2007.

Commenting on the statement Philip Yea, 3i Chief Executive said:

'3i has delivered high levels of realisations and realised profits in the first
five months.  New investment has also grown, particularly in our Growth Capital
business line and through the launch of 3i Quoted Private Equity.'

'Whilst the dislocation in leveraged finance markets is expected to lead to a
slowdown in new buyout transactions completed, our strategy of broadening the
spread of our asset classes and geographies, combined with our balance sheet
resources, enables us to address the current period of adjustment from a
position of strength.'

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


1  Investments and realisations

3i invested a total of £1,012 million in the five months ended 31 August 2007
compared with £452 million in the equivalent period last year.  In addition,
£258 million (2006: £116 million) was invested on behalf of co-investment funds
managed by 3i.

Realisation proceeds received by 3i (excluding co-investment funds managed by
3i) were £1,011 million in the five months ended 31 August 2007 (2006: £627
million).


Investment and realisations by business line were as follows:


Investment £m                                     Realisations £m
(5 months ended)      31 August     31 August     (5 months ended)      31 August     31 August
                           2007          2006                                2007          2006
Buyouts                     339           251     Buyouts                     539           298
Growth Capital              445           106     Growth Capital              255           207
Venture Capital              45            75     Venture Capital             110            20
QPE                         182             9     QPE                          17             -
SMI                           -             5     SMI                          58            98
Infrastructure                1             6     Infrastructure               32             4

Total                     1,012           452     Total                     1,011           627



Investments and realisations made during the period by 3i Infrastructure Limited
and 3i Quoted Private Equity Limited
('3i QPE') are not included.


2  Returns

Realisations for the five month period have been achieved at aggregate uplifts
over 31 March 2007 carrying values ahead of the uplifts achieved in the six
months to 30 September 2006 (34%).

Consequently, realised profits (net of write-offs) on the disposal of
investments for the five month period to 31 August 2007 are ahead of those for
the six months to 30 September 2006.

As usual, an important element in the determination of 3i's results for the half
year to 30 September 2007 will be the detailed valuation exercise carried out on
its investment portfolio as at that date.


3  Strategic developments

3i QPE raised £400 million and listed on the London Stock Exchange on 29 June
2007, including an investment of £181 million by 3i.  In its prospectus, 3i QPE
stated that it intends to build a portfolio of influential or controlling stakes
in small and mid-cap quoted companies, primarily in the UK and continental
Europe.  3i Investments plc acts as investment adviser to 3i QPE.

Today 3i also announces the first close of the 3i India Infrastructure Fund (the
'Fund'). The Fund is the first to be established within the framework of the
strategic partnership agreement announced by 3i and the India Infrastructure
Finance Company Limited ('IIFCL') in April.  The Fund has a target size of $1.0
billion and, as part of the first close, 3i has committed a minimum of $250
million to the Fund with 3i Infrastructure Limited, which is advised by 3i
Investments plc, committing $250 million.


4  Return of capital to shareholders

Shareholders approved an £807 million bonus issue of listed B shares and a 17
for 20 share capital consolidation at 3i's EGM on 12 July 2007.  In addition,
during the period, 3i purchased and cancelled 6.1 million ordinary shares for an
aggregate amount of £63.8 million under the share buyback authority granted by
shareholders at the AGM in July 2007.



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
Rachel Richards    3i Press office                                020 7975 3573
Philip Gawith      Maitland                                       020 7379 5151


This statement aims to give an indication of 3i's expected return (and of key
components of that return) for the six months to 30 September 2007.  These
indications reflect the Board's current view.  They are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties and could change.  In particular, an important element
in the determination of 3i's results for the six months to 30 September 2007 is
the detailed valuation exercise carried out on its investment portfolio as at
that date.  The final results for the six months to 30 September 2007, due to be
reported on 8 November 2007, 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