Dell close to $23-bn acquisition, courtesy Microsoft, Silver Lake
If completed, a takeover would be the most ambitious attempt yet by Michael S. Dell to revive the company that bears his name. Such is the size of the potential deal that Mr Dell has called upon Microsoft, one of his most important business partners, to shore up the proposal with additional financial muscle. The question will now turn to whether taking the personal computer maker private will accomplish what years of previous turnaround efforts have not.
The final details were being negotiated on Monday evening. Still, last-minute obstacles could cause the talks to collapse, the people briefed on the matter cautioned.
The consortium is expected to pay $13.50 to $13.75 a share, these people said. Mr Dell is expected to contribute his nearly 16% stake to the deal, worth about $3.8 billion under the current set of terms. He is also expected to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in fresh capital from his own fortune.
Silver Lake, known as one of the biggest investors in technology companies, would most likely contribute roughly $1 billion, these people added. Microsoft is expected to put in about $2 billion, though that would probably come in the form of preferred shares or debt.
Dell is also expected to bring home some
Be the first to comment.
