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Strong results for half-year and key strategic milestones achieved

Commentary

• Strong gross portfolio return of 14.3% in the six months to 30 September 2007, driven by a particularly good performance in both Buyouts and Growth Capital.
• Net asset value per share up 27% year-on-year, from £7.92 per share at 30 September 2006 to £10.07 per share at 30 September 2007.
• Further progress in implementing strategy with strong growth in assets under management and further diversification by geography and asset class, driven by:
  • Increased investment and significant value growth in 3i''s direct portfolio;
  • Establishment of external funds advised by the Infrastructure (3i Infrastructure Limited, 3i India Infrastructure Fund) and QPE (3i Quoted Private Equity Limited) business lines.

Baroness Hogg, Chairman of 3i Group plc, said:

"3i''s financial strength, values and approach have continued to serve us well in reaching our key strategic milestones."

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

"These are a strong set of half-year results. Given the broad spread of our investment business and the strong capabilities we are building across the world, 3i faces this potentially more challenging environment from a substantially stronger position than in previous cycles."

For further information, please contact:

3i Group plc
Philip Yea, Chief Executive -  020 7975 3386
Simon Ball, Finance Director -  020 7975 3356
Patrick Dunne, Group Communications Director -  020 7975 3283

Maitland Consultancy
Philip Gawith -  020 7379 5151

For further information regarding the announcement of 3i''s half-yearly results to 30 September 2007, including video interviews with Philip Yea, Simon Ball and Jonathan Russell (available at 7.15am) and a live webcast of the results presentation (at 10.30am, available on demand from 2.00pm), please seehttp://www.3igroup.com/.