DailyTech - Some Dell Shareholders Unhappy with "Lowball" Buyout Attempt

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IT Some Dell Shareholders Unhappy with "Lowball" Buyout Attempt
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - February 11, 2013 8:06 AM

15 comment(s) - last by JPForums.. on Feb 13 at 9:08 AM

Dell CEO Michael Dell (Source: thetechblock)

Some shareholders want more $$$

Dell Inc. founder Michael Dell along with a consortium of partners has been working hard to buy all outstanding shares of Dell stock and take the company private. The current offer on the table from Dell and his partners is $13.65 per share according to sources. However, some shareholders believe that stock in the company is worth more than $20 per share.

Reuters reports that Harris Associates LP, Yacktman Asset Management, and Pzena Investment Management LLC have all banded together with Southeastern to object to the $24.4 billion buyout offer.

Harris Associates LP, Yacktman Asset Management, and Pzena Investment Management LLC together own a combined 3.3% of outstanding Dell stock. Southeastern owns 8.5% of Dell and believes that it shares are worth $24 each with the financial services division in recent acquisitions figured in.

"We are writing to express our extreme disappointment regarding the proposed go-private transaction, which we believe grossly undervalues the Company," Southeastern CEO Mason Hawkins and Chief Investment Officer Staley Cates wrote in a letter.

"We retain and intend to avail ourselves of all options at our disposal to oppose the proposed transaction, including but not limited to a proxy fight, litigation claims and any available Delaware statutory appraisal rights."

Southwestern believes that breaking up the company and selling units separately would be more beneficial to shareholders.

Source: Reuters