Michael Dell's hopes of buying back Dell -- the computer company he
created -- for $24.4 billion (pounds sterling 15.88 billion) today received a
major boost as private-equity group Blackstone pulled its rival bid.
Blackstone's U-turn -- a month after it first made a move -- follows a growing
slump in demand for personal computers. Dell itself has warned of lower
earnings.
Michael Dell, who founded his company in 1984 and remains chairman, now looks to
be in pole position to take full control of the world's third-largest personal
computer company, in partnership with private-equity firm Silver Lake. Carl
Icahn, a legendary activist investor, is opposed to Michael Dell's plan to take
the company private and has built up a significant stake.
The Dell-Silver Lake offer is worth $13.65 a share -- in contrast to Icahn's
$15-a-share proposal to buy 58 percent of the company and keep it on the stock
market.
However, Icahn's plan would involve a considerable level of debt. Analysts have
suggested it has less chance of success.
According to research firm Gartner, worldwide PC shipments fell by 11.2 percent
during the first quarter of 2013 to 79.2 million -- their lowest level since
early 2009 -- as tablets and smartphones soar in popularity.
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(c)2013 London Evening Standard
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