Within days of Hershey Co.’s decision to abandon its plan to bid for Cadbury Plc, Ferrero, the Italian manufacturer of Kinder Surprise and TicTac mints, Monday announced that it too is withdrawing from the Cadbury takeover bid.

Reports have speculated that Hershey Co. is preparing itself to step up efforts to prepare a takeover bid for British Cadbury PLC, and is looking to make a decision on the same after Kraft Foods Inc.'s last offer is made public.

The Hershey's and Reese's brands candy maker, Hershey Co has some 'sweet' news in store during these sour times! The Hershey, Pa.-based company increased its marketing expenses, lifted its sales, and posted a higher-than-estimated quarterly profit - 51 percent!