Oracle, Siebel get request for more info from DOJ

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oracle Corp and Siebel Systems Inc have received a request for additional information from the US Department of Justice related to Oracle's proposed US$5.85 billion purchase of rival Siebel, the companies said on Monday.

The second request extends the initial 30-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, which expired on Monday, the companies said.

Oracle last month announced its plans to acquire Siebel, a long-time Oracle rival founded by Tom Siebel, a former protege of Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison who later became a harsh critic of Ellison, to better challenge SAP AG.

Also earlier on Monday Oracle co-president Charles Phillips said the leading maker of database and business software may soon boost the pact of its stock buybacks and is off to a good start in the quarter after closing a number of deals.

Speaking to a small gathering of financial analysts in New York, Phillips said the company also saw good growth opportunities in the fast-growing markets of China and India.