Kit Kat-to-Nescafe foods giant Nestle today set its sights on even stronger growth this year after outperforming rivals in 2009.

WORKERS at the Cadbury plant in Rathmore, Co Kerry, still do not know if the takeover of the company by US food giant Kraft will affect their jobs.

US chocolate firm Hershey cleared the way for Kraft’s £11.9bn (€13.6bn) takeover of Dairy Milk firm Cadbury today after it said it would not make a counter-bid.

The FTSE 100 Index shed almost 2% today as worries over Chinese growth and mixed results from US banks sent tremors through world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index was in the red today as possible Chinese lending curbs weighed on sentiment ahead of the latest round of US banking results.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury and its US suitor Kraft Foods are finalising details of an agreed takeover deal, the companies confirmed today.

US raider Kraft could have to pay at least £12.4bn (€14.1m) to succeed in its hostile bid for Cadbury, one of the UK firm's major investors said today.

Dairy Milk firm Cadbury set out its case for independence today as it urged shareholders not to let US giant Kraft “steal your company”.

Chocolate firm Ferrero has moved a step closer to joining the Cadbury bidding war after lining up a loan that could be used to back an offer, it was reported today.

US food giant Kraft is set to raise its £10bn (€11.3bn) hostile takeover bid for Dairy Milk maker Cadbury in the next two weeks, it was reported today.

Italian chocolate group Ferrero is still considering joining the bid battle for Dairy Milk maker Cadbury, according to reports.

Cadbury suitor Kraft hit back at the Dairy Milk maker's bid defence today by claiming that a merger of the two firms would deliver more value "than Cadbury could achieve on its own".

US chocolate giant Hershey has lined up more than £4bn (€4.4bn) in financing to launch a rival bid for Dairy Milk maker Cadbury, it was reported today.

London’s blue chip share index soared almost 2% today amid encouraging news on the US housing market and a new record for gold prices.

Cadbury shares hit a fresh two-year high today on hopes of a takeover tussle as reports suggested Swiss food group Nestle is considering entering the fray.

A £9.8bn (€11bn) hostile takeover bid from US food giant Kraft was labelled “derisory” by Dairy Milk maker Cadbury today.

US food giant Kraft today launched a hostile takeover bid for Dairy Milk confectionery firm Cadbury.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury is set to face a hostile takeover bid from US food giant Kraft today.

Confectionery giant Cadbury remained silent today amid reports that US-based food group Kraft was set to launch a hostile takeover bid for the firm.

Cadbury’s American suitor was today issued with a “put up or shut up” deadline by the City takeover authority in the UK.

Kraft Foods is understood to be planning an £11bn (€12bn) hostile bid for Cadbury after the group rejected its earlier offer.

The FTSE 100 Index was back below the 5000 barrier today after a 2% fall for Japan’s Nikkei index set the tone for a lacklustre start to week.

The FTSE 100 Index returned to winning ways today after a bumper session for corporate results fuelled the market’s new-found confidence.

Sweet-toothed consumers in the UK and a fall in advertising costs helped Dairy Milk owner Cadbury report a rise in half-year profits today.

Continued strong demand for chocolate in the recession helped Dairy Milk owner Cadbury report improved trading for April and May today.

Confectionery firm Cadbury today posted a 30% rise in annual profits after its key brands of Dairy Milk, Trident and Halls saw strong growth.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the last session before Christmas on a losing note today amid more bleak news for the retail sector.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today amid more bleak news for the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas.

Dairy Milk confectionery firm Cadbury today agreed to sell its Australian drinks business to Japanese brewer Asahi for £550m (€578m).

There were more woes for retail stocks today after Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals became the latest to offer gloomy news.

Dairy Milk firm Cadbury today said its UK division continued to “grow well” despite the economic and consumer gloom.

Shares in Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals slumped today after the pair highlighted the pressure facing retailers in the current climate.

The maker of packaging for Jaffa Cakes and Fruit Pastilles today said it was on course to improve profits, despite pressure on the business from rising costs.

Cadbury today said “good growth” from core brands including Dairy Milk had given it an edge over the rest of the UK confectionery market.

The London market enjoyed a strong end to the week today as some rare good news from the US cheered traders.

The FTSE 100 Index finished the week above the 6000 mark today as the world's biggest bank gave a boost to the market.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today as the US Federal Reserve’s overnight decision on interest rates put pressure on global markets.

The retail sector was on the back foot today after a profits warning from Currys owner DSG International impacted the sector.

The London market shook off opening losses today as a surprise fall in inflation lifted blue-chips.

The London market continued its rollercoaster ride today, closing deep in the red as hopes of a prolonged revival began to fade.

A revival on the London market proved short-lived today as fresh credit concerns from the United States sent blue-chips tumbling.

Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes is believed to be planning to shed more than 5,000 jobs as part of a £300m (€443m) cost-cutting drive, a report said today.

Shares in Cadbury Schweppes surged today after it emerged an American financier had amassed a 3% stake in the Dairy Milk firm.

A break-up of Cadbury Schweppes was touted in the City today after the company secured greater control over the distribution of drinks such as 7 Up in the United States.