Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is in discussions about helping to
finance a buyout of computer maker Dell Inc., according to a person
familiar with the deal deliberations.
The software company hasn't made a commitment, but if it were to
join an investor group for a Dell buyout, its investment would
likely be in the range of a couple of billion dollars, this person
said.
Dell founder and Chief Executive Michael Dell has been
negotiating with private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners for a
deal that would buy out Dell's public shareholders. The price under
discussion has been around $13 or $14 a share. Dell was recently
trading at $13.09. Silver Lake has been seeking banks to help fund
the deal, as well as other potential co-investors such as a pension
or sovereign wealth fund.
A spokesman for Microsoft didn't immediately reply to a message
seeking comment.
CNBC earlier reported news of Microsoft's potential investment
in the buyout.
It isn't immediately clear why Microsoft would be interested in
a Dell investment. Even as the company has tiptoed into making its
own computers with the tablet-style Surface, Microsoft Chief
Executive Steve Ballmer has said it's essential to continue to have
a diverse group of companies making personal computers that are
powered by Microsoft software.
Microsoft also was working with Silver Lake and others more than
a year ago on a potential buyout of Yahoo Inc. That deal never came
to fruition.
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