Tag: takeover

Kraft facing inquiry over Cadbury factory closure

Kraft facing inquiry over Cadbury factory closure

US food giant, Kraft, is set to be investigated by the City takeover panel about whether it made misleading comments at the time of its takeover of British confectioner, Cadbury. Kraft, which made several hostile bids for Cadbury before shareholders finally agreed to a deal, initially said a takeover of Cadbury would secure UK jobs, [...]

Kraft confirms closure of Cadbury Somerdale plant

Kraft confirms closure of Cadbury Somerdale plant

US food giant, Kraft, has confirmed it will close Cadbury’s Somerdale plant near Bristol with the loss of 400 jobs. Cadbury has a UK workforce of 4,500, including 2,500 at its historic Bournville factory in Birmingham and 400 at its headquarters in Uxbridge. The move comes after the 186-year-old iconic British confectioner, renowned for Dairy [...]

Bank of America sued over Merrill Lynch takeover

Bank of America sued over Merrill Lynch takeover

US banking giant, Bank of America (BoA), has been sued by the New York Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, for defrauding investors and the Government over its takeover of Merrill Lynch. BoA, and two of its senior executives, Ken Lewis and Joseph Price, have been accused of “enormous fraud” on taxpayers and shareholders over the takeover [...]

Cadbury executives to step down following Kraft deal

Cadbury executives to step down following Kraft deal

Chairman Roger Carr, chief executive Todd Stitzer and chief financial officer Andrew Bonfield of Cadbury have announced today that they will step down from the British confectioner. The three bosses announced their resignations following a shareholder vote which will see US food giant, Kraft, takeover the 186-year-old iconic British company in a £11.5 billion ($18.9 [...]

Mandelson expresses ‘disappointment’ after meeting with Kraft chief

Mandelson expresses ‘disappointment’ after meeting with Kraft chief

Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson said he was “disappointed” that Kraft could not guarantee that Cadbury’s confectionery brands will continue to be managed in the UK. Mandelson met with Kraft chief executive, Irene Rosenfeld, last night after Cadbury shareholders voted in favour of the £11.5 billion ($18.9 billion) takeover deal from the US food giant. [...]

Cadbury shareholders vote in favour of Kraft takeover

Cadbury shareholders vote in favour of Kraft takeover

Cadbury shareholders have today voted in favour of the £11.5 billion ($18.9 billion) takeover deal from US giant, Kraft Foods. Today’s vote brings an end to Kraft’s five-month battle to take control of the 186-year-old British confectioner. Cadbury said it had received valid acceptances of the offer from shareholders representing 71.7% of the company. Commenting [...]

Cadbury workers stage protest over jobs threat

Cadbury workers stage protest over jobs threat

Workers at British confectioner Cadbury are to stage a protest today in Bournville, Birmingham in a bid to urge shareholders to reject the takeover offer from US food giant, Kraft. Kraft, which is renowned for brands such as Kenco coffee and Oreo biscuits, made an offer of £11.7 billion last week which 186-year-old Cadbury agreed [...]

Ferrero declares itself out of the running for Cadbury

Ferrero declares itself out of the running for Cadbury

Lloyds axes a further 400 positions

Lloyds axes a further 400 positions

The Unite union has said Lloyds Banking Group is to axe 400 jobs as it closes its network of Black Horse home loans centres. Since its merger with HBOS in September 2008, Lloyds has axed tens of thousands of jobs due to overlap within the banking giant. In a further blow to staff, Unite said [...]

Job losses at Cadburys after Kraft takeover

Job losses at Cadburys after Kraft takeover

According to the BBC, there will be job losses at Cadbury after it agreed to an £11.7 billion takeover by US food giant Kraft. The news of the takeover came after Kraft has already made offers for the 186-year-old British company but they were rejected by Cadbury’s board. Cadbury’s board is supporting the latest bid [...]

Cadbury agrees £11.7bn Kraft takeover

Cadbury agrees £11.7bn Kraft takeover

After months of hostile talks, British confectioner Cadbury has finally agreed to an £11.7 billion takeover by US food giant Kraft. The 186-year-old British company, renowned for Dairy Milk chocolate, is set to advise shareholders to accept the latest bid of 840p a share. Kraft, which is renowned for brands such as Kenco coffee and [...]

Kraft increases offer for Cadbury as Nestlé withdraws bid

Kraft increases offer for Cadbury as Nestlé withdraws bid

Swiss food giant Nestlé has declared itself out of the running for British confectioner Cadbury. Late last year, Nestlé was reported to be the latest company to make an offer for Cadbury after US food giant, Kraft, which is renowned for brands such as Kenco coffee and Oreo biscuits, approached Cadbury in September with an [...]

Novartis buys Alcon for $40bn

Novartis buys Alcon for $40bn

Swiss pharmaceuticals group, Novartis International, has started the New Year on a high with one of Europe’s largest ever takeovers. Novartis has agreed to take full control of Alcon, a leading maker of eye care products, in a deal worth $40 billion (£24.8 billion). Novartis bought 25% of eye care specialist Alcon, which is also [...]

Kraft defends bid for Cadbury

Kraft defends bid for Cadbury

US food giant Kraft has today reinforced its belief that a tie-up with Cadbury would “represent a uniquely complementary fit”. Kraft is actively trying to convince Cadbury shareholders that a combination with its British rival could “deliver substantially more value” together and would benefit Cadbury staff as new jobs would be created in the UK. [...]

Nestlé emerges as next bidder for Cadbury

Nestlé emerges as next bidder for Cadbury

British confectioner Cadbury, renowned for Dairy Milk chocolate, saw its shares rise today on the back of speculation that Swiss food group, Nestlé, is to be the latest company set to make an offer. Shares in the confectioner gained more than 2% to a high of 817p – which is almost 13% above the original [...]

Dell announces 54% fall in quarterly profit

Dell announces 54% fall in quarterly profit

US computer giant Dell today posted a 54% fall in quarterly profit. Net profit at the company was $337 million (£202 million) in the three months to October, compared with $727 million in the same period a year earlier. The news sent shares in the company down 6% as the company continues to lose market [...]

Kraft deadline looms as Cadbury awaits next move

Kraft deadline looms as Cadbury awaits next move

Two months ago, US food giant Kraft, which is renowned for brands such as Kenco coffee and Oreo biscuits, approached Cadbury with an informal £10.2 billion takeover offer, which the UK confectioner later rejected. Roger Carr, chairman of Cadbury, described its US rival’s £10.2 billion takeover offer as an “unappealing” and “unattractive prospect”. However, under [...]

Merger talks end at National Express

Merger talks end at National Express

Bus and train operator National Express has confirmed that talks over a possible tie-up with rival bus and rail group Stagecoach have ended. In a statement yesterday, the company said: “The board has concluded it is unlikely that a combination with Stagecoach could be successfully executed in 2009, even if appropriate terms could be agreed.” [...]

Lloyds continues to explore ways to escape APS

Lloyds continues to explore ways to escape APS

Lloyds Banking Group is reported to be embarking on a massive fundraising scheme, in order to repair its balance sheet which was battered following the takeover of rival HBOS, as well as avoiding participating in the Government’s Asset Protection Scheme (APS) . The bank, which is 43% owned by the taxpayer, is understood to be [...]

Sainsbury’s shares boosted by takeover rumours

Sainsbury’s shares boosted by takeover rumours