** 3i top FTSE 100 gainer after saying ithas no plans to dispose of its investment in Dutch discountretailer Action
** Action is the jewel in 3i's portfolio and its largestinvestment
** The British private equity firm has received a number ofapproaches for its stake in Action
** 3i says it has decided to increase the book value of itsAction investment to 1.46 bln stg after a liquidity discount, upfrom 902 mln stg as of end March
** Separately, Barclays names co its new top pick withinEuropean diversified financials after strong post-Brexit sectorsell-off; analysts say it boasts attractive earnings growth anda defensive portfolio mix ("Overweight" TP 595P from 610p)
** Stock (+5.95 pct) top mover on the Stoxx 600. Upto Wednesday's close, stock had risen 4.75 pct YTD
** 7 of 9 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 2"hold", according to Thomson Reuters Eikon data (Reuters Messaging:noor.hussain.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)
3i Group (III)