Disclosed private equity investment in China in August was 410 million U.S. dollars, down almost 70 percent month-on-month, a consultant's report said on Saturday.

There were only three private equity investments in August, all into expanding or profit-making entities, according to the report from China Venture Investment Consulting Group.

A weak stock market and higher consumer and producer prices cast doubt on sustained profit growth at target companies, which made investors more prudent, said the report.

In the first half, 73 companies received private equity investments that totaled 5.24 billion U.S. dollars.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)