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The 3i Group (LSE: III) share worth slumped 7.5% this morning (15 Might) after it printed full-year outcomes to 31 March.
That’s a blow for me, because it’s the one greatest FTSE 100 holding, price an overmighty 10% of my complete self-invested private pension (SIPP).
It’s been my greatest performer since I added it to my SIPP in 2023, having greater than doubled my cash.
Yesterday, I used to be sitting on a complete return of round 100%. Right now it’s declining in direction of 90% after markets took a dim view of this morning’s numbers.
That response feels harsh. But I anticipated it. Expectations have been sky-high following latest stellar efficiency. A knock was virtually inevitable.
Earnings, payouts and portfolio energy
3i Group’s complete return jumped to £5.05bn, equal to a rise of 25% on opening shareholder funds. Internet asset worth per share jumped 22% to 2,542p. That features a 27p per share loss on overseas change translation.
That’s stable progress in any 12 months, not to mention the present unsure one.
The group’s greatest holding by far, Dutch low cost retailer Motion, generated a gross funding return of £4.55bn, up 32% on its opening worth. Revenues grew 22%, with like-for-like gross sales up 10.3%. EBITDA earnings jumped 29%. These should not the numbers of an organization in decline.
Chief government Simon Borrows stated the agency stays assured it may “compound progress throughout the portfolio within the years to come back”. Let’s hope so.
The ultimate dividend was lifted to 42.5p, taking the entire for the 12 months to 73p, up from 61p. That’s a 20% earnings increase. The trailing yield is simply 1.55% although.
Lengthy-term surprise
The shares have been going gangbusters currently. Even after right now’s dip they’re up 45% over 12 months and 425% over 5 years. They handed unscathed by latest tariff volatility.
3i Group has been round since 1945 and is aware of what it’s doing. However I do have one concern.
Motion now makes up greater than 70% of 3i’s internet asset worth. That’s an enormous focus danger. Typically it looks like I’ve purchased a European low cost retailer with a personal fairness group clinging to its tail.
It’s performed nicely by powerful circumstances, possibly as a result of customers have been buying and selling down. But when the economic system improves, they may begin going to posher retailers. That might take some shine off Motion
This inventory may chunk me
Growth remains to be taking place, nevertheless it received’t go on eternally. In some unspecified time in the future, 3i will want a clearer plan for what comes subsequent. For now, administration appears content material to trip the tiger.
I’ve positioned a number of religion in 3i, and it has positioned a number of religion in a store I’ve by no means even been in. Nonetheless, its deep expertise and confirmed outcomes give me confidence. Nothing in right now’s announcement has shaken that.
The 9 analysts serving up one-year share worth forecasts have produced a median goal of slightly below 4,402p. If appropriate, that’s an increase of greater than 12% from right now. These forecasts could have been made earlier than this morning’s droop although. Brokers are clearly cautious.
That’s hardly shocking, 3i Group shares now commerce at a 69% premium to underlying internet worth. They’ve all the time been costly, however that’s huge. If I used to be wise, I might take some earnings and reduce my publicity. However for now, I’m going to trip the tiger too.

