Regulators examine Cadbury takeover

CITY regulators yesterday launched a consultation over the rules regarding takeovers following Kraft's controversial acquisition of Cadbury.

The Takeover Panel said it "continues to maintain an open mind" on the issues raised in the consultation, which include whether the "50 per cent plus one" minimum acceptance condition threshold for a takeover offer should be raised.

The panel broke with its usual practice of setting out specific proposals and instead aimed to provide "a forum in which suggestions for possible change may be debated". The consultation closes on 27 July.