Macquarie hopes to sell key investments in its portfolio – including renewable energy projects – by early next year, ending a sluggish period for deals which has weighed on earnings and pushed down profits.

The company told investors that earnings were flat – broadly in line with expectations – in the three months to June 30, the first quarter of its financial year. But it was weaknesses in Macquarie Capital that affected the result, with few big transactions, including asset sales, driving earnings.