3i Group Share News (III)

(ShareCast News) - Venture capital company 3i Group described a "robust performance" from its portfolio companies in the third quarter on Thursday, and continued investment momentum.The FTSE 100 firm's net asset value per share at period end was 558p, for a total return of 24.1% at 31 December.Cash realisations reached £917m in the nine months from its private equity business, while year-to-date private equity cash investment was £356m.The board also reported continued momentum in investment activity, taking year-to-date private equity cash investment to £356m.Its infrastructure division announced the launch of a new £700m fund during the period as well, managed by 3i, to acquire a portfolio of European infrastructure assets."Q3 was an active quarter for our investment teams," said chief executive Simon Borrows."We announced two significant private equity investments as well as the launch of a new fund managing a portfolio of infrastructure assets."Borrows said realisation activity was continuing apace, and the company received proceeds from Action's recent refinancing and its shareholdings in Loxam and Go Outdoors."Overall our portfolio remains well positioned, with our key assets continuing to deliver consistently robust performance."3i is set for a strong close to the current financial year."