Dell delays accounts as financial probe deepens

Michael Dell has stated that his company is 'fully cooperating with the investigations'

Dell has delayed filing its second-quarter accounts for 2006 following an investigation by the US government. 

The computer maker has also suspended its share repurchase programme in the wake of the probe by the Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Dell said that an informal investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and its own internal inquiry "raised questions" about its second-quarter accounts. 

The vendor said in a statement that it may have to revise previous financial results after the investigation found that some of its figures had been misreported.

"We are fully cooperating with the investigations and working to resolve any and all issues raised in connection with those investigations as quickly as possible," said chairman Michael Dell.

"We will take any appropriate remedial or corrective actions to address any problems."

The accounting problems have compounded a bad period for Dell, which recently had to initiate a recall of 4.1 million laptop batteries following potential fire risks.

Dell is expected to make an announcement on this and other matters at its Dell Technology Day in New York later today.