Icahn signs confidentiality agreement with Dell

Dell appointed a special committee of directors last August after Michael Dell notified the company that he was exploring a buyout bid in partnership with other investors. Michael Dell has agreed to contribute 273 million shares of the company stock that he controls and $750 million in cash to help finance the buyout, which relies primarily on loans from PC software maker Microsoft Corp. and an assortment of banks.

Dell's special committee has said it already considered a special dividend during a "rigorous" five-month review that culminated with the buyout plan. It said last week that it is conducting a search for better alternatives to the proposed buyout, and Icahn and others are welcome to participate.

Dell shares rose 21 cents to close at $14.37 Monday. Shares of Icahn Enterprises rose 40 cents to $61.20.