Carl Icahn-controlled Icahn Enterprises LP said it entered into a confidentiality agreement with Dell, less than a week after the activist investor joined a growing chorus of opposition to co-founder Michael Dell’s plan to take the world’s No. 3 personal computer maker private.
Dell shares rose 1 percent to $14.30 in pre-market trading on Monday, remaining well above the offer price of $13.65.
Icahn, in a letter to Dell’s board made public last week, demanded that Dell pay out $15.7 billion in special dividends instead of going private.
He argued that the proposed $24.4 billion buyout by Dell and Silver Lake Partners short-changed shareholders, undervalued the company and benefited mainly Michael Dell.
Icahn Enterprises on Monday said it looked forward to commencing a review of the company.
Dell was not immediately available for comment.
