Kraft Has Been Speaking With Holders, Assessing Financing

By Anjali Cordeiro Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) said it has been talking to its own and Cadbury PLC (CBY) investors and studying financing possibilities as it decides on its next move after its September takeover proposal for the U.K. confectioner. "At this time we continue to review the opportunity by speaking with shareholders of both companies and [assessing] potential financing options," said Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld on a conference call. Rosenfeld reiterated that her company will continue to maintain a "disciplined" approach in its bid and is well positioned "with or without Cadbury." The company faces a Nov. 9 deadline to make a formal offer for Cadbury. "As we said before, what we can afford is not relevant. What is relevant is what Cadbury is worth, and that will guide our actions going forward," Rosenfeld said. The company said its investment in its brands is paying off and that it expects advertising related spending to be up this year. Kraft said it cut prices on some of its products, including cheese, in response to lower commodity prices. -By Anjali Cordeiro, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2200; anjali.cordeiro@dowjones.com