3i Group PLC (LSE: III), the FTSE 100 investment company, has announced the commencement of a new share buyback programme of up to £750 million, beginning 12 November 2026 and scheduled to complete by no later than 31 May 2027. The new programme follows the conclusion of a previous £750 million buyback that launched on 14 May 2026, under which 3i purchased a total of 29,545,762 shares at an aggregate cost of £737,229,772, excluding fees and taxes. Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch, has been appointed as broker to execute the purchases independently on the London Stock Exchange or another recognised investment exchange. Investors will be watching the programme closely as it signals continued capital returns to shareholders through share capital reduction.

Key Points

  • 3i Group PLC (III) — FTSE 100 listed investment company
  • New £750 million share buyback programme commences 12 November 2026, completing by no later than 31 May 2027
  • Previous programme purchased 29,545,762 shares at an aggregate cost of £737,229,772; maximum shares purchasable under the new programme is 83,324,814
  • Investors should monitor regular repurchase disclosures, which must be announced by no later than the end of the seventh daily market session following each transaction

3i Group Closes £737 Million Previous Buyback and Rolls Directly into New £750 Million Programme

The announcement states that the previous £750 million programme, which launched on 14 May 2026, concluded on 12 November 2026 having deployed £737,229,772 in aggregate consideration, excluding fees and taxes, across 29,545,762 ordinary shares. The seamless transition into a new programme of identical maximum size underlines 3i's sustained commitment to returning capital to shareholders. The purchased shares will be cancelled, reducing the company's total share capital. The maximum number of shares that can be acquired under the new programme is 83,324,814, derived from shareholder authority granted at the 2026 Annual General Meeting held on 25 June 2026, net of shares already purchased under that authority.

Deutsche Bank Appointed Broker to Execute Market Purchases as Riskless Principal

3i has entered into a formal arrangement with Deutsche Bank AG, acting through its London branch, to conduct all market purchases under the new programme. The announcement states that Deutsche Bank will make trading decisions independently of 3i, subject to agreed parameters set prior to the programme's commencement and 3i's right to terminate the agreement. Purchases will be executed as riskless principal transactions on the London Stock Exchange or another recognised investment exchange. This structure is a standard market practice designed to ensure the programme operates at arm's length from the company's management whilst remaining within regulatory boundaries.

Programme Governed by UK Market Abuse Regulation and FCA Listing Rules

All share repurchases under the new programme will be conducted in accordance with the 2026 shareholder authority, UK Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 as incorporated into UK domestic law via the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and Chapter 9 of the Financial Conduct Authority's UK Listing Rules. The company is required to disclose each individual repurchase by no later than the end of the seventh daily market session following the calendar day on which it occurred, providing investors with regular transparency on the pace and scale of capital deployment throughout the programme's duration.