Michael Dell last night resumed command of the US computer company he founded in 1984, taking back control of the struggling firm from a successor he anointed.
Dell's return to the chief executive position at the company that bears his name caused its stock to rise more than 4% in after-hours trading. Dell replaced 54-year-old Kevin Rollins, who has resigned.
In the nearly three years that Rollins headed the Texas-based firm, it lost its dominant position in computer sales to rival Hewlett-Packard and came under scrutiny for questionable accounting practices.
US regulators and prosecutors are investigating indications that the company mis-stated items in financial reports. The firm's chief financial officer James Schneider 'retired' abruptly in December.
Dell created the company with $1,000 and served as its chief executive from its inception until he handed the reins to Rollins in 2004.
Along with announcing the transfer of power, the company lowered its revenue and earnings estimates for its fourth fiscal quarter, the results of which are to be reported in March.
