(Sharecast News) - 3i Group's deputy chairman Jonathan Asquith purchased 40,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed private equity and venture capital company on Tuesday.Asquith, who joined 3i back in 2011, acquired the shares at an average price of 809p each, for a total value of £323,600.01.Just last week, 3i issued its half-year results reporting "another good half" for the company, with a total return of £728m, or 10% on opening shareholders' funds, and a net asset value per share of 776p, up from 724p at the end of March.3i saw a "good performance" from its private equity operations in the six months ended 30 September, with a gross investment return of £667m, or 11%, which it said was driven by growth across its larger investments in particular.It completed two new private equity investments during the period, totalling £245m, in Royal Sanders and International Cruise and Excursions.Cash realisations were £1.06bn in the first half, or £528m net of the £529m group reinvestment into Scandlines.As of 1630 GMT, 3i shares had moved ahead 1.63% to 826p.Top Director Buys3i Group (III)Director name: Asquith,JonathanAmount purchased: 40,000 @ 809.00pValue: £323,600.01 (ZEN)Director name: Cattaneo,AndreaAmount purchased: 1,050,000 @ 3.30pValue: £34,650.00Sse (SSE)Director name: Lynas,PeterAmount purchased: 3,000 @ 1,117.00pValue: £33,510.00British American Tobacco (BATS)Director name: Oberlander,Ricardo Amount purchased: 453 @ 2,840.00pValue: £12,865.20Union Jack Oil (UJO)Director name: Godson,Raymond GAmount purchased: 10,000,000 @ 0.11pValue: £10,500.00Forterra (FORT)Director name: Harrison,Stephen Amount purchased: 2,750 @ 215.31pValue: £5,921.03Forterra (FORT)Director name: Harrison,Stephen Amount purchased: 1,850 @ 215.31pValue: £3,983.24 (ZEN)Director name: Cattaneo,AndreaAmount purchased: 100,000 @ 3.25pValue: £3,250.00Horizonte Minerals (HZM)Director name: Fisher,WilliamAmount purchased: 100,000 @ $0.05Value: $2,764.47Horizonte Minerals (HZM)Director name: Fisher,WilliamAmount purchased: 100,000 @ $0.04Value: $2,457.31Forterra (FORT)Director name: Harrison,Stephen Amount purchased: 450 @ 214.26pValue: £964.17Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Naumovski,LjupcoAmount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Schafer,Robert WilliamAmount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Swanson,JackAmount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Savage,Brian CharlesAmount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Gazzard,Paul Amount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: Young,Robin JayAmount purchased: 17,094 @ 3.60pValue: £615.38Amur Minerals Corporation Npv (AMC)Director name: McKay,Paul Amount purchased: 17,093 @ 3.60pValue: £615.35Top Director SellsUnion Jack Oil (UJO)Director name: Godson,Raymond GAmount sold: 10,000,000 @ 0.11pValue: £10,500.00