Novell's Sellout Options: “Private Equity-backed Company, a UK-based PE Firm and a Joint Bid Between a Publicly Traded Tech Company and a Buyout Shop.”

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2010-08-13 10:54:59 UTC
Modified: 2010-08-13 10:54:59 UTC

Summary: The 451 Group provides insight into Novell's situation

NOVELL INC. is still up for sale. According to the 451 Group (regarding a sale):

While the process initially attracted a number of parties, we understand that there are only three left at the table: a private equity-backed company, a UK-based PE firm and a joint bid between a publicly traded tech company and a buyout shop. It’s not clear that any of the three will actually close a deal for Novell. (The process has already run past two deadlines, we gather.) Without a deal, shares of Novell would be left to trade on the company’s own merits, which probably wouldn’t do much for shareholder value.

That seems like a significant short report. What is this mysterious "publicly traded tech company"? Maybe Microsoft? There are many more new articles which mention Novell's inability to keep up with expectations (this is still the main news about Novell), e.g.:

i. Software Stocks Losers (MSFT, ORCL, ATVI, NOVL)

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) is trading 3.01% lower to $5.64. Novell, Inc. develops, sells and installs enterprise software that is positioned in the operating systems and infrastructure software layers of the information technology (IT) industry. The Company operates in four segments: Open Platform Solutions, Identity and Security Management, Systems and Resource Management, and Workgroup.

ii. Trading Update for Novell Inc. (NOVL)

Shares of Novell Inc. slipped $0.23 (-3.95%) to $5.59. The stock closed at $5.82 in the last trading session and today the shares of NOVL opened at $5.73.

iii. AgFeed Industries, Fossil, Novell, Netflix: U.S. Equity Preview

Novell Inc. (NOVL US) slumped 2.7 percent to $5.85. The maker of Linux operating-system software lowered its third- quarter sales forecast to a range of $197 million to $199 million. Analysts were expecting $206.5 million on average in a Bloomberg survey.

iv. "Wall Street regains some ground after Fed remarks

In earnings news, MBIA surged 4.5% after it registered a 45% jump in earnings in the second quarter. Software manufacturer Novell plunged 3.2% after it cut its third- quarter revenue outlook.

Amid negotiations about sale of Novell, sales will continue to disappoint. The official report from Novell is just a couple of weeks away. ⬆

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Novell's Sellout Options: “Private Equity-backed Company, a UK-based PE Firm and a Joint Bid Between a Publicly Traded Tech Company and a Buyout Shop.”

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