The value of new investments made by 3i Group has caught up with proceeds from existing investments for the first time in more than three years, after more than doubling in the first five months of the UK-listed private equity group's fiscal year.

3i revealed in a briefing statement to the UK stock market today ahead of its interim close period that new investments in the five months to August more than doubled to £1bn (€1.4bn) from £452m in the same period last year.