MSD Capital in talks for Dell buyout

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NEW YORK, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- MSD Capital in New York is discussing a leveraged buyout of computer company Dell, sources told The New York Times.

MSD is an the investment firm begun by Michael Dell, who founded the computer company 30 years ago, the Times reported Friday.

Dell began his computer company with $1,000 and started the money management firm 15 years ago as a vehicle for investing his wealth and managing his philanthropic interests.

MSD is now a diversified investment firm. It was started with $400 million of Dell's money and is discussing a $20 billion leveraged buyout of the computer company although the deal could still fail to go through, the Times said.

Private equity firm Silver Lake would also be a party to the deal, as would other potential partners.

Financing the buyout would require Dell to include his 16 percent ownership of Dell, a stake worth about $3.5 billion.