Advisers split over risks of 3i float for private investors

ADVISERS are divided about the risks involved for private investors in the flotation of 3i.

This is the giant venture capital company that used to be known as Investors in Industry. It has been pepping up its image in preparation for this summer's 40 per cent sell-off worth about pounds 1.5bn.

The company, which will be 50 years old next year, is owned by the big banks including the Bank of England, and they will all be selling a portion of their holdings.

The price will be announced on 22 June, when application forms will be available. The deadline for applying is 6 July and the stock market debut is planned for 18 July.

3i invests in small companies in the pounds 1m to pounds 100m range with a view to taking a long-term stake. Among the 3,400 businesses it owns, 84 per cent are in the UK.

'We let management set the pace and the timing of the exit,' said chairman Sir George Russell. For instance, 3i invested pounds 40,000 in the Frizzell Group in 1954 and did not sell until 1992, when it realised about pounds 40m.

The new company will be classified as an investment trust, which will give it tax advantages. It is not eligible for a PEP as only 51 per cent of the holdings are classed as ordinary UK shares - too close to the 50 per cent minimum to be safe. The company plans a savings scheme after the float.

Richard Twydale, marketing manager of the stockbroker Henderson Crosthwaite, counsels caution. 'Remember three years ago 3i nearly went bust. Venture capital is risky. But having said that, this is a mature company.

'It is not for investors with just one or two shareholdings. When the time comes to invest, the state of the market will be critical. We will also have to look carefully at the price of the shares and the discount to net asset value.'

Paul Killik, of the stockbroker Killik & Co, said: 'You could argue that the risk is not so high because of the wide spread of investments. For people who already have wide exposure to larger companies through privatisations, this could be a low-risk way of getting exposure to small companies.

Graeme Farquharson of Hill Martin, financial advisers in Bristol, said: 'If we have any reluctance at all, it is about the state of the market at the moment. In a rather less volatile market it would be worth serious consideration.'

You can register for a mini prospectus by calling the share information office on 0645 313131. You will be sent a booklet about the company and an application form in due course.

Applicants registering through the share information office will not get any sort of priority should applications be oversubscribed.

A host of brokers will be offering special deals on the issue.