Dell Technologies Inc., the world’s largest private technology company, plans to interview several banks this week for underwriting roles in a traditional initial public offering as a backup to another plan that has met investor resistance, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Round Rock, Texas-based company has proposed a $21.7 billion buyout of its tracking stock, DVMT, which some investors have said overvalues Dell.
A more traditional IPO would act as a backup plan if the DVMT deal falls through, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the plan who asked not to be identified.
A traditional IPO has been under consideration since Bloomberg News reported Dell’s plans in January.
Shares of DVMT are meant to reflect the value of VMware Inc., a software maker in which Dell owes a controlling stake. Investors vote in October on the buyout plan, which proposes an offer price of $109 a share in cash and Dell Class C stock that will be traded for DVMT. That puts the Class C shares at $79.77, more than some investors think it’s worth.