3i maintains investment pace

Global investment firm 3i invested £544 million ($1.07 billion; €732.8 million) in the final quarter of last year, according to the firm’s third quarter results.

Philip Yea: diversified

Despite the global credit crunch dramatically slowing down many buyout firms, as a diversified firm 3i’s investment pace remained relatively undiminished. Over the three quarters to the end of December it invested a total of £1.78 billlion.

Philip Yea, 3i’s chief executive, said in a statement: “Our mid-market position and the depth of our international network have allowed us to continue to source good investment opportunities notwithstanding the more difficult economic outlook.”

While many larger market buyout firms struggled to invest, 3i invested £208 million, broadly continuous with the £644 million invested in the first three quarters of the year. In fact, 3i only invested £107 million in buyouts in the three months to 30 June, with £329 million invested in the three months to 30 September.

3i also invested £245 million in growth capital, £60 million in venture and £6 million in small and medium investments in the final quarter of the year.

The firm also realised £429 million of investments, 29 percent of realisations in the nine months to the end of the year. Of these realisations, £290 million came from buyouts, £85 million from growth capital, £30 million from venture and £24 million from small and medium investments.