EMC looking at sale of VMware stake

EMC, the maker of storage computers, facing the retirement of chief executive Joseph Tucci and activist pressure, is exploring strategic options that could include a full or partial sale, or a spinoff of VMware Inc.

The Hopkinton, Massachusetts- based company has contacted firms including Oracle Corp, Cisco Systems Inc and Hewlett-Packard Co about selling itself, said sources who asked not to be identified.

EMC has also discussed a deal for its storage business with Dell Inc, they said.