Dell regains compliance with NASDAQ listing requirements

Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has gotten the go-ahead to rejoin the NASDAQ stock exchange where its shares are traded. Yesterday, the world's second-largest computer maker announced that it is now fully compliant with the listing requirements of the exchange.

Dell regained compliance before the extended deadline of November 12 after finally filing complete and re-stated financial reports from the 2003 to 2007 timeframe, something I wrote on a few days ago. The company ended up taking a $92 million hit on its re-stated revenue after years of quarterly accounting manipulations. This could be the final chapter of an ugly recent history for the company.

But there's a postscript: The SEC still has not completed its own independent investigation. Dell won't be able to completely close the books until the forensic accountants from Uncle Sam fail to uncover any further financial shenanigans. It's perfect timing, as Dell's focus and attention does not need to be on internal accounting mischief, but on growing profitability and market share against the larger sheriff in town, Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ).