The world's biggest manufacturer of storage computers, EMC Corp., said that it intends to purchase shares of VMware Inc. in the open market to maintain its 80% possession of the company.

Yesterday, EMC's Chief Financial Officer, David Goulden, said, "Keeping the stake in VMware enables EMC to maximize value for investors".

On the other hand, VMware said that it will rebuy as much as $400 million worth of its own shares by 2011 end. It is buying back shares to help decrease dilution from stock options issued to the staff.

A part of VMware, whose software allows companies to run several operating systems on a single server, was sold by Massachusetts-based EMC, in a public bid in 2007. The company said its decision to hang on to the stake "underscores VMware's role in EMC's strategic direction".

Based in Palo Alto, California, VMware shares gained 70 cents to $50.97. The stock has increased 20% this year while EMC dropped 10 cents to $17.65. This year, the shares have progressed 1%.