Five industrial companies make the shortlist of firms to be entertained by the French government as possible shareholders in Compagnie des Machines Bull SA – but Industry Minister Jose Rossi is unhelpfully declined to name them. In all, 10 firms registered an interest in Bull, but only the five said they wanted at least 10%. Only NEC Corp has declared that it wants to up its stake in Bull to more than 10% from its present one, now diluted down to 3.7%. Top Bull executives want a 5% stake, and 10% may be set aside for staff.
