3i group on thursday said its largest investment nonfood discounter action delivered strong sales in the year to date while the rest of its private equity portfolio traded well the international investment managerwhich focuses on midmarket equity and infrastructuresaid action is on track for a quarter of profit growth and has a cash balance of more than 660 million euros 7203 million it added that the groups likeforlike sales grew 22 on year as of the end of its 25th week and its expansion plans are on track with 84 net new store openings in the period beyond action its private equity portfolio is showing resilience though lower customer demand and inflation pressures are affecting a small proportion of it it said despite the macroeconomic headwinds we remain confident that the 3i active management approach will build consistent value creation across the portfolio over the longer term the company said in a statement ahead of its annual general meeting