UK confectionery and soft drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes today reported a 6% rise in annual profits, but added that 2003 profits at its US soft drinks unit are unlikely to exceed 2002's.
The group said its underlying pre-tax profits were £935 million, compared to forecasts of £928-950 million for 2002.
Cadbury agreed to buy US sweets group Adams last December for $4.2 billion, a move which will add Halls medicated sweets and Trident sugar free gum to its portfolio and which will make it the world's largest confectionery group when the deal is complete.
The company said today that it expected the deal to be finalised by the end of March.
