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3i Group PLC (GB:III)
LSE:III

3i Group plc (III) AI Stock Analysis

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3i Group plc

(LSE:III)

81Outperform
3i Group plc exhibits a robust financial profile and a positive technical trend. Its solid valuation metrics and recent corporate actions further enhance its attractiveness. While revenue growth and cash flow generation could see improvements, the overall outlook remains favorable for investors.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Action completed a successful repricing of 53% of its debt facilities, generating significant annual interest cost savings.
Growth and Expansion
Action confirms strong growth driven by increased net sales and stable EBITDA margins.
Portfolio Performance
3i Group's PE portfolio, including Royal Sanders, is making good progress in a challenging macro environment, with overall performance described as ‘encouraging’.
Negative Factors
Initial Market Reaction
Overall we expect a negative initial reaction to the LFL print.
LFL Sales Growth
Temporary availability issues due to an ERP system change affected Action's LFL sales growth, which fell below initial estimates.
Market Reaction
Overall performance is in-line to marginally light, leading to a neutral to slightly negative reaction.

3i Group plc (III) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

3i Group plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description3i Group plc is a private equity firm specializing in mature companies, growth capital, middle markets, infrastructure, and management leveraged buyouts and buy-ins. The firm also provides infrastructure financing and debt management. For debt management, it invests in senior and mezzanine corporate debt in typically large and private companies in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and North America. It makes private equity investments in business and technology services, financial services, consumer, healthcare, consumption and distribution, media and telecom, renewable energy, wind, and industrial sector. Within business and technology services, the firm seeks to invest in sub sectors such as testing, inspection and certification; BPO and consultancy; human capital including staffing, governance, risk and compliance, services to pharmaceutical companies, vertical application software, education and training businesses; facilities management; support services to industrial sectors such as oil and gas and utilities; human resources outsourcing and advising; recruitment; logistics and infrastructure support services including distribution, waste, and rental. In the consumer sector, it focuses on polarization, health and wellness, ageing population, millennials, consumer goods; e-commerce; retail; food and drinks; and leisure. In the healthcare sector, the firm focuses on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology including specialty pharma, generics / OTC, drug delivery, and animal health; healthcare Services including activities such as elderly and specialty care, including caring for people in their own homes, in hospital and in community facilities, as well as operational services such as outsourced support, clinical services and B2B contract services; medical devices and technology including devices, medical equipment and consumables, diagnostics, and healthcare IT. In the industrial sector, it focuses on automotive, chemicals, construction and building products, electronics and electrical components, flow control and filtration, life science manufacturing, mobility, packaging, software, oil, gas and power. Through 3i BIFM Limited and 3i Infrastructure plc the firm makes infrastructure investments where it focuses principally on the utilities including energy transmission and storage, electricity and gas distribution, water, power generation, and communication network; transportation including airports, ports, ferries, toll roads, and rail; and social infrastructure sector including primary and secondary PFI, public private partnerships, healthcare, education, and government accommodation. In infrastructure it invests primarily in utilities, transportation and social infrastructure in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Europe, and Ireland. The firm prefers to invest in companies across Europe, France, United States, South America, and Asia. It seeks to make new investments in Northern Europe and North America. The firm typically invests between 5 million ($5.59125 million) and 300 million ($335.475 million) in companies with an enterprise value typically between 100 million ($111.825 million) and 500 million ($559.125 million) and sales value between 80 million ($89.46 million) and 1500 million ($1677.38 million). It seeks to take either majority or minority stakes. It seeks to take a board seat in its portfolio companies with regards to infrastructure investments. The firm invests through a combination of third-party and proprietary capital. It invests through its personal capital. 3i Group plc was founded in 1945 and is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices across Europe, North America, and Asia.
How the Company Makes Money3i Group makes money primarily through its private equity and infrastructure investment activities. The company earns revenue from capital gains on its investments, management fees, and carried interest. In private equity, 3i invests in mid-market companies, aiming to enhance their value and sell them at a profit. The infrastructure business focuses on investing in and managing assets in sectors like transport and utilities, generating consistent returns through dividends and capital appreciation. Additionally, the company benefits from strategic partnerships and co-investments with other financial institutions, which can enhance deal flow and investment opportunities.

3i Group plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
3i Group plc presents a strong financial position with high profitability and efficient equity utilization. The company benefits from low leverage and a healthy cash flow situation, although improvements in revenue growth and operating cash flow generation could further strengthen its financial standing.
Income Statement
82
Very Positive
3i Group plc has shown robust profitability with consistently high gross and net profit margins over the years. Despite a decline in revenue in the latest year, the company maintained strong EBIT and EBITDA margins, indicating effective cost management and operational efficiency. However, the revenue growth rate was negative, highlighting a potential area for improvement in sales expansion.
Balance Sheet
89
Very Positive
The company's balance sheet is solid, with a low debt-to-equity ratio and strong equity backing. The return on equity is impressive, reflecting efficient utilization of shareholder funds. The equity ratio is also high, indicating financial stability and low leverage.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
3i Group plc has demonstrated positive operating and free cash flow over recent periods, with significant growth in free cash flow. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is relatively modest, suggesting potential for better cash generation relative to reported earnings.
Breakdown
Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021Mar 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
3.98B4.75B4.16B1.99B325.00M
Gross Profit
3.98B4.71B4.11B1.97B295.00M
EBIT
3.82B4.60B4.02B1.86B204.00M
EBITDA
3.82B4.61B4.03B1.87B211.00M
Net Income Common Stockholders
3.84B4.57B4.01B1.85B214.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
358.00M162.00M212.00M216.00M771.00M
Total Assets
21.64B17.82B13.95B10.33B8.57B
Total Debt
1.25B785.00M989.00M992.00M595.00M
Net Debt
893.00M623.00M777.00M776.00M-176.00M
Total Liabilities
1.47B975.00M1.19B1.17B810.00M
Stockholders Equity
20.17B16.84B12.75B9.16B7.76B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
363.00M185.00M132.00M-66.00M581.00M
Operating Cash Flow
366.00M186.00M132.00M-65.00M584.00M
Investing Cash Flow
-3.00M486.00M306.00M-541.00M-408.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-164.00M-719.00M-446.00M53.00M-425.00M

3i Group plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price3974.00
Price Trends
50DMA
3909.80
Positive
100DMA
3875.17
Positive
200DMA
3588.58
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
46.09
Positive
RSI
43.96
Neutral
STOCH
31.33
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:III, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 3974 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4168.75, above the 50-day MA of 3909.80, and above the 200-day MA of 3588.58, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 46.09 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 43.96 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 31.33 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:III.

3i Group plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
GBIII
81
Outperform
£38.33B7.6122.50%1.64%78.18%-6.27%
GBEMG
76
Outperform
£1.97B8.6117.94%7.49%18.85%26.14%
GBSDR
76
Outperform
£5.40B13.179.48%6.18%0.72%7.66%
GBICG
67
Neutral
£5.77B14.1218.19%3.90%1.50%-12.67%
64
Neutral
$4.43B12.015.16%249.23%4.03%-11.73%
63
Neutral
£2.98B12.684.88%8.72%-5.51%1596.15%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:III
3i Group plc
3,974.00
1,054.57
36.12%
GB:ICG
Intermediate Capital
2,038.00
-177.31
-8.00%
GB:EMG
Man Group plc
173.00
-64.28
-27.09%
GB:SDR
Schroders
348.00
-0.90
-0.26%
GB:ABDN
abrdn
167.40
27.77
19.89%
MGPUF
M&G Plc
2.96
0.55
22.82%

3i Group plc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 15, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: -5.31%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a strong overall performance by 3i Group, highlighted by a significant return on equity and outstanding results from Action. The company demonstrated resilience and growth in its private equity portfolio. However, challenges such as foreign exchange losses and a weak recruitment sector were noted. Despite these, the overall sentiment is positive due to the substantial growth and strategic achievements.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Return on Equity
The company generated an impressive return on equity of 25%, marking the fifth consecutive year of delivering a total return of over 20%.
Strong Performance by Action
Action achieved a 32% gross investment return, with sales growth of 22%, over 350 store openings, and 29% EBITDA growth. Action's like-for-like sales grew by 10.3%.
Dividend Increase
A dividend of 73p per share was announced, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Growth in Private Equity Portfolio
The private equity segment produced a 26% gross investment return, with 97% of the portfolio by value growing earnings, and 6 companies achieving over 20% earnings growth.
Infrastructure Portfolio Performance
Infrastructure produced a net investment return of 6% and a portfolio return of 10.1% for the year.
Negative Updates
Foreign Exchange Losses
The company faced a foreign exchange translation loss of GBP 259 million, primarily due to the appreciation of sterling against the euro.
Challenges in Recruitment Sector
The services and software sector faced challenges, particularly with Wilson, due to weak demand across the recruitment sector.
Underperformance of 3i Infrastructure Share Price
Despite strong portfolio performance, the 3i infrastructure share price underperformed, reducing by 3% over the year.
Consumer Weakness in Key European Markets
Weaker consumer demand was noted in Belgium, France, and Germany, with smaller baskets and less spending towards the end of the month.
Company Guidance
In the fiscal year 2025, 3i Group reported a robust return on equity of 25%, maintaining a trend of over 20% returns for the fifth consecutive year. The net asset value (NAV) per share increased by 22% to GBP 25.42, despite a foreign exchange loss of GBP 259 million. The private equity segment achieved a 26% gross investment return, with standout performance from Action, delivering a 32% gross investment return. The company announced a dividend of 73p per share, a 20% increase from the previous year. The portfolio's gearing closed at 3%, and 97% of the portfolio by value grew earnings, with several companies achieving over 20% earnings growth. The infrastructure segment, while showing strong portfolio performance, was impacted by a 3% decline in the 3i Infrastructure share price. Overall, 3i Group's strategic focus on thematic origination and long-term compounding has laid a solid foundation for sustained growth.

3i Group plc Corporate Events

Other
3i Group Directors Acquire Shares Under Incentive Plan
Neutral
May 1, 2025

3i Group plc announced that several directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities have acquired beneficial interests in ordinary shares as part of the 3i Group Share Incentive Plan. These transactions, which include both purchased Partnership Shares and awarded Matching Shares, were completed outside a trading venue and were formally notified to the company on May 1, 2025.

Spark’s Take on GB:III Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, GB:III is a Outperform.

3i Group plc exhibits a robust financial profile and a positive technical trend. Its solid valuation metrics and recent corporate actions further enhance its attractiveness. While revenue growth and cash flow generation could see improvements, the overall outlook remains favorable for investors.

To see Spark’s full report on GB:III stock, click here.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
3i Group Updates Total Voting Rights Post-Share Allotment
Neutral
Apr 30, 2025

3i Group plc has announced an update regarding its total voting rights following an allotment of shares under its Share Incentive Plan. The company now has 973,400,238 issued ordinary shares, each carrying one vote at general meetings. This update is significant for shareholders and others with notification obligations as it affects the calculations for notifying changes in their interests in the company under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Spark’s Take on GB:III Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, GB:III is a Outperform.

3i Group plc exhibits a robust financial profile and a positive technical trend. Its solid valuation metrics and recent corporate actions further enhance its attractiveness. While revenue growth and cash flow generation could see improvements, the overall outlook remains favorable for investors.

To see Spark’s full report on GB:III stock, click here.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
3i Group plc Confirms Compliance with UK Listing Rule 11.7.8R
Neutral
Apr 1, 2025

3i Group plc, a leading investment company, announced that as of the last business day of March 2025, it had no investments in listed closed-ended investment funds that do not have policies limiting their investments in other such funds. This disclosure aligns with UK Listing Rule 11.7.8R, indicating 3i Group’s compliance with regulatory requirements, potentially affecting its investment strategy and reassuring stakeholders of its adherence to governance standards.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
3i Group Updates Total Voting Rights Following Share Allotment
Neutral
Apr 1, 2025

3i Group plc has announced an update regarding its total voting rights following the allotment of shares under its Share Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2025, the company has 973,398,978 issued ordinary shares, each carrying one vote at general meetings, with no shares held in treasury. This update is significant for shareholders and others with notification obligations as it affects the calculations required under the FCA’s Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules.

Business Operations and Strategy
3i Group Directors Acquire Shares Under Incentive Plan
Positive
Apr 1, 2025

3i Group plc announced that several of its directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities have acquired beneficial interests in the company’s ordinary shares through the 3i Group Share Incentive Plan. This transaction, which includes both purchased Partnership Shares and awarded Matching Shares, reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to align management interests with shareholder value, potentially strengthening stakeholder confidence in the company’s governance and strategic direction.

Other
3i Group Executive Donates Shares to Charity
Positive
Mar 26, 2025

3i Group plc announced that James Hatchley, a person with managerial responsibilities, transferred 10,000 ordinary shares to The Charities Aid Foundation as a gift. This transaction, which occurred outside a trading venue, reflects the company’s involvement in charitable activities and may enhance its corporate social responsibility profile.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
3i Group Highlights Action’s Strong Performance and Growth Plans
Positive
Mar 20, 2025

3i Group plc announced a capital markets seminar highlighting the performance of its largest portfolio company, Action. In 2024, Action achieved significant financial growth with net sales of €13,781 million and an operating EBITDA of €2,076 million, driven by strong sales and cost management. The company plans to expand further in 2025, targeting 370 new store openings and an EBITDA margin increase. Action also completed a debt repricing, saving €19 million annually, and is poised for continued growth despite temporary challenges. The overall portfolio shows resilience in a challenging macroeconomic environment, with full-year results expected in May.

Other
3i Group Directors Acquire Shares Under Incentive Plan
Neutral
Mar 3, 2025

3i Group plc announced that several of its directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities have acquired beneficial interests in the company’s ordinary shares as part of the 3i Group Share Incentive Plan. These transactions, involving both Partnership Shares purchased at a subscription price and Matching Shares awarded for nil consideration, were reported to the company on 28 February 2025 and occurred outside a trading venue.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
3i Group Updates Total Voting Rights Post Share Allotment
Neutral
Feb 28, 2025

3i Group plc announced an update regarding its total voting rights following the allotment of shares under its Share Incentive Plan. As of February 28, 2025, the company has 973,397,391 issued ordinary shares, each carrying one vote, which impacts shareholder calculations under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This update is significant for stakeholders as it affects the denominator used for determining changes in shareholding interests, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.