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T. Rowe Price says will not support Dell buyout

T. Rowe Price says will not support Dell buyout

Money manager T. Rowe Price Group on Tuesday became the latest major shareholder of the computer maker Dell to oppose Dell's leveraged buyout offer.

"We believe the proposed buyout does not reflect the value of Dell, and we do not intend to support the offer as put forward," T. Rowe chief investment officer Brian Rogers said in a statement.

T. Rowe's decision to oppose the $13.65 per share offer from Dell founder Michael Dell and private equity shop Silver Lake Partners could add significant pressure for a higher offer. T. Rowe controlled 4.4 per cent of the Dell shares as of September 30, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Other shareholders with an estimated total stake of 14 per cent are also opposing or leaning against the deal.

Shares of Dell traded above the offer price to $13.80, up 0.76 per cent on the day, after the T. Rowe Price announcement.

On Friday, Southeastern Asset Management, with an 8.5 per cent stake, said in a securities filing that it would vote against the deal. Three other major shareholders are also expected to oppose the offer, sources have told Reuters.

Copyright @ Thomson Reuters 2013