Dell extends buyout vote to drum up support for MBO

Eponymous leader given extra six days to convince shareholders his vision is the right one for the future

Dell's board has given itself an extra six days to drum up support for its CEO's bid to buy back the company he founded.

A vote on the vendor's future was due to take place today, but no sooner had the Special Meeting of Shareholders been convened this morning than it was adjourned and rescheduled for Wednesday of next week. A statement issued by Dell today claimed that the decision had been taken "to provide additional time to solicit proxies from Dell stockholders".

Backed by private equity house Silver Lake, Michael Dell's attempt to take the company he founded back into private ownership has faced increasingly fierce opposition in recent weeks. Rival bidder Carl Icahn - who favours keeping the company public - has upped his self-tender offer to an estimated worth of $15.50 to $18 a share. This compares with a flat $13.65 a share deal proposed by Michael Dell and Silver Lake.

Icahn has also been increasingly vocal in his criticisms of Dell's leadership. In his most recent open letter to shareholders, the activist investor pledged that he will bring in fresh blood at the top if his bid is successful and slammed Michael Dell's "abysmal record" in recent years.