London, January 21, 2026, 09:40 GMT — Regular session
- 3i Group slipped 0.7% to 3,198.5p in early London trading
- UK inflation jumped to 3.4% in December, clouding prospects for a rate cut
- The next key dates are 3i’s Q3 results on Jan. 29 and the BoE meeting on Feb. 5
3i Group plc (III.L) shares slipped 0.7% to 3,198.5 pence early Wednesday in London, down from Tuesday’s 3,222p close. The stock’s range today has been tight, bouncing between 3,192p and 3,216p, with around 1.21 million shares changing hands. 1
Investors reacted to a stronger UK inflation report, which dampened hopes for interest rate cuts in the near term. The Office for National Statistics reported consumer price inflation rising to 3.4% in December. Chief economist Grant Fitzner attributed the rise partly to higher tobacco duties and airfares. 2
This is crucial for investment firms like 3i, since interest rates affect the discount rates used to value private companies, potentially widening or narrowing the gap between share prices and their underlying portfolio values. Nicholas Crittenden, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said, “The Bank of England will … not be worried by these numbers,” adding, “We still predict one cut in Bank Rate in the first half of this year.” 3
Attention turns to 3i’s calendar. The firm plans to report its third-quarter results on Jan. 29, a key date that often stirs fresh discussion around net asset value (NAV) — the per-share worth of its core holdings. 4
Shares of 3i have seen volatile swings lately. On Monday, the stock dipped 3.24% to £32.52, lagging behind the FTSE 100 amid a generally weaker market, according to data from MarketWatch. 5
Investors are zeroed in on one key date beyond the company update: the Bank of England’s policy decision on Feb. 5. The Bank Rate currently sits at 3.75%, and any change in the BoE’s stance on inflation persistence could send valuation-sensitive stocks moving quickly. 6
3i, a FTSE 100 investment firm, holds private equity and infrastructure assets. Its share price frequently moves with shifts in risk appetite and market views on the portfolio’s value, particularly amid fluctuating rate expectations.
The setup can shift fast. If inflation remains stubborn and rate cuts get delayed, portfolio valuations could take a hit, shrinking the premium to NAV when share prices exceed portfolio value. On top of that, a weaker consumer environment would only tighten the squeeze.
January 29 brings the Q3 performance update, followed closely by the BoE decision on February 5. Investors will keep a close eye on UK wages and prices data to see if December’s inflation spike is settling or sticking around.
