Business Finance Today

Dell plans to go private in biggest LBO since financial crisis
Michael Dell reached an agreement with private-equity investor Silver Lake Partners and Microsoft to take his namesake computer firm private in a $24.4 billion leveraged-buyout deal, after 24 years on public markets. The deal requires approval by a majority of the shareholders, excluding Dell himself. The $13.65-a-share deal price is a 25% premium to the market price of Dell shares before buyout talks became public last month. Reuters (2/5), CNET (2/5), Austin American-Statesman (Texas) (free registration) (2/5)
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Nasdaq and SEC discuss Facebook IPO settlement
Nasdaq OMX Group reportedly is looking at settling with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which would include a $5 million penalty relating to technical errors during Facebook's initial public offering. Nasdaq has already offered more than $60 million in compensation to firms possibly harmed by the errors. Bloomberg (2/5), The Wall Street Journal (2/5)
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Your Bottom Line

A forecast for finance jobs
Finance positions such as chief risk officer, compliance manager and emerging payments officer are among six that CTPartners predicts will see strong hiring this year. CFO.com (2/5)
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Not all JOBS Act provisions are being used
Emerging companies are not taking advantage of many provisions in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, according to law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Extended transition to comply with accounting rules and reduced compensation-disclosure requirements are provisions companies tend to avoid. The Wall Street Journal/CFO Journal (2/5)
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In the C-Suite

Career tips from a CIA spy
CIA officers know that establishing relationships and learning to read the behavior and personalities of other people are critical to getting key information, which is an understanding that everyone could use to benefit their career, writes J.C. Carleson, a former CIA officer and author of "Work Like a Spy." "The truth is, spies rely on psychology far more than they do on technology," Carleson writes. The Wall Street Journal/Speakeasy blog (2/4)
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SmartPulse

Does your company have directors and officers liability insurance?
An overwhelming majority has directors and officers liability insurance.

Yes	76.72%
No	16.38%
Not sure	6.90%

What does the health care law mean for you and your company?
We've turned the 2013 calendar page, which means planning for effects of the health care law in 2014 is upon us. Is your company considering ...

Massive changes to employer-provided health care

Some changes to employer-provided health care

Eliminating employer-provided health care

We haven't started thinking about it yet

Not sure

On the Move

Peter Bocian
will become Safeway's CFO. Bocian will join the grocer from JPMorgan Chase, where he served as executive vice president and head of corporate services and finance. Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model)/Reuters (2/4)
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Roger Matthews Jr.
will become CFO at Panera Bread. He was Goldman Sachs' managing director and sector head of the U.S. restaurant industry. American City Business Journals/St. Louis/BizTalk blog (2/5)
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Off the Charts

The penny stops here: Canada ends distribution
Canada is ending distribution of its one-cent piece. The coin will still be legal tender, but the Royal Canadian Mint will no longer distribute it to banks. BBC (2/4)
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SmartQuote

The most effective networks are far-reaching in all directions." -- J.C. Carleson, a former undercover CIA officer and author of "Work Like a Spy: Business Tips From a Former CIA Officer," writing in The Wall Street Journal Share: