UPDATE 1-3i realises fewer investments amid tough markets

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LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - British private equity firm 3i Group Plc (III.L) said on Thursday the amount of money it had realised from investments fell in the third quarter of its financial year amid more difficult market conditions.

However, the firm said it was confident of coping in a tougher trading environment.

"The broad spread of 3i's asset classes and geographies, the quality of our network and the strength of our financial position, enable us to face these more uncertain economic and market conditions from a position of confidence," Chief Executive Philip Yea said in a statement.

3i said it realised 429 million pounds ($840 million) from investments in the three months to Dec. 31, down from 439 million in the quarter before and 605 million in the quarter before that.

"Realisations for the three-month period have been achieved at aggregate uplifts over 31 March 2007 carrying values at similar levels with those achieved in the half year to 30 September 2007 (48 percent)," it said in a statement.

The firm said it invested 544 million pounds in its fiscal third quarter, down from 643 million in the second and 591 million in the first.

"Our mid-market position and the depth of our international network have allowed us to continue to source good investment opportunities notwithstanding the more difficult economic outlook," Yea said.

"As expected, realisations have slowed since the first quarter of this financial year, reflecting both the underlying maturity of the portfolio and, in some markets, less certain conditions."

3i shares have fallen almost a fifth in value over the past couple of months as global financial markets have declined. They closed at 911 pence on Wednesday, valuing the business at about 3.4 billion pounds. (Reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by David Holmes)