Cadbury Prefers Hershey Over Kraft

British candymaker Cadbury (NYSE: CBY) is rumored to prefer a marriage with Hershey (NYSE: HSY) over a possible combination with Kraft (NYSE: KFT), according to press reports.

Dow component Kraft has offered $16.7 billion for Cadbury in a hostile bid and the charitable trust that controls Hershey is pushing the company to launch a competing $17 billion offer. Hershey has been in talks with Italy's Ferrero International SA about launching a joint bid for Cadbury.

Press reports also mentioned that Switzerland-based Nestle may be interested in either acquiring Cadbury outright or partnering with Cadbury to acquire to Hershey.