3i, the UK's biggest listed private equity group, saw the proceeds from disposals fall by almost one-third from the previous "exceptional" reporting period. The company said it had exceeded its expectations.

In a trading update ahead of its first-half results due on November 9, 3i said it had generated £627m (€927m) from realisations in the five months to August, a figure it said was "stronger than anticipated". However, its proceeds were 31% down on the results of the previous half year, when it generated £910m.