Neil DennisShares in 3i got a boost at the market open in London after reporting what it called "another good first-half performance" that saw net asset value per share rise by 15.5%.
The multinational venture capital group reported "significant growth" in its infrastructure fund management business, drawing in £830m of new assets under management, and completed four new private equity deals totalling £514m.
Net asset value per share, a key metric in asset management firms, rose to 652p in the half year to 30 September, from 551p in the same period a year ago. Total portfolio value rose to £6.584bn from £5.207bn.
The company announced an interim dividend of 8p a share - the same as last year's interim payment.
CEO comment
Simon Borrows, chief executive (left), said: "This was another good half for 3i. We used our strong balance sheet to invest in some attractive and well-priced businesses in Private Equity and added £830 million of assets under management in Infrastructure.
"Our Private Equity portfolio has been transformed over recent years and is on track to deliver another year of strong growth."
Market reaction
Investors reacted warmly to the 3i results and the shares rose 4.62% in early trade on the London Stock Exchange to 940p.