A bidding war for Cadbury’s is in prospect today after confectioners Hershey and Ferrero both said they were considering their options over the firm.
Hershey said there was ‘no assurance’ over a definite offer, but has been linked with a joint bid in tandem with Italian confectioner Ferrero.
Ferrero also confirmed it was ‘in the preliminary stages of evaluating its options in respect of Cadbury’.
A possible counter bid would be a blow to Oreos and Toblerone maker Kraft, which went hostile with a £9.8 billion offer for Cadbury last week.
Hershey already has a business relationship with Cadbury, holding a licence to make Dairy Milk bars and Cadbury Creme Eggs in the US.
